UM Regents Appoint Communications VP

Lisa Rudgers was appointed University of Michigan vice president for global communications and strategic initiatives by the UM board of regents at their May 19, 2011 meeting in Dearborn. Her appointment takes effect June 1, with a salary of $270,000. She replaces UM’s previous vice president of communications, David Lampe, who stepped down from that job earlier this year. He now serves as executive director of research communication in the office of UM’s vice president for research.

Rudgers was the university’s vice president for communications from 2000-2007. She left the university to start her own consulting firm, but in 2009 took a part-time job as special counsel for communications in UM’s Law School.

In her new role, Rudgers’ responsibilities include developing the university’s communications strategy and overseeing the Freedom of Information office, Michigan marketing and design, public affairs, internal communications, Michigan public media, presidential communications, the film office and the news service. She will be a member of the senior management team and will advise deans, directors, executive officers and the president regarding communications, according to a statement issued by the university.

This brief was filed from the regents meeting at the UM Dearborn campus. A more detailed report will follow: [link]