ALFRED, NY – Alfred University President Mark Zupan announces that Mark G. Danes will be joining the University as vice president of Marketing and Communication, effective Nov. 1. Danes comes to Alfred University from Des Moines University, where he has led the marketing and communication team since 2016
“It is a distinct privilege to be invited to join Alfred University at a time of exciting opportunity across the University,” Danes said. “The rich history, culture of diversity and collaboration, and strong curriculum of Alfred University are extraordinary. It is thrilling to see the transformational possibilities of an Alfred education. I am excited to help share the inspiring stories of Alfred’s alumni, students, faculty, and staff on the world stage. And, as someone who was raised in New York and New England, I am also happy to return home.”
Prior to Des Moines University, Danes led marketing and communication at the University of North Dakota. Before that, he spent five years leading marketing and communication at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. There, he built the first marketing and communication team and helped forge partnerships with Google, Boeing, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, and Joint Base Charleston. He was also active with The Citadel Foundation, helping to expand institutional advancement capabilities.
“Mark is a dynamic leader who brings with him a depth of experience in leading marketing and communication teams and shepherding institutional brands,” Zupan commented. “He has a strong record of telling compelling stories of the research, teaching, and service performed by faculty, staff, and students. As the vice president for Marketing and Communication, he will be responsible for leading our talented marketing and communication team, crafting a distinctive narrative of educational excellence and impact, and facilitating new approaches that will help us enhance our reputation as an exceptional University.”
Danes has a diverse background in public relations, brand management, and marketing. He is a certified project manager and specialist in organizational change and crisis communication. He has held leadership roles with organizations such as the Boston Consulting Group, Edelman, J. Walter Thompson, and the Forum Corporation, consulting to clients such as IBM, Coca-Cola, and the New York Stock Exchange as well as banks, law firms and financial services firms. He also served as a public affairs leader for New York University’s Medical Center and McGraw-Hill.
Danes earned his master’s degree in project management at The Citadel and his bachelor’s degree in literature and theater at SUNY-Purchase College. He and his wife, Ceri, have three sons, Larson, Tracy, and Soren.
Zupan expressed his appreciation to the Vice President of Marketing and Communication Search Committee— co-chaired by Jonathan Kent, vice president for Enrollment Management, and Erin Martinovich, vice president for University Advancement—and the Board of Trustees Advisory Committee—Gene Bernstein ’69, HD ‘01 (Board chair emeritus), Carolyn Clark ’90 (Board chair), Greg Connors ’92 (Board chair emeritus), Steve Heine ’81 (Board vice chair), and Eric Zuckerman ’03 (Enrollment Management Committee chair)—for their time and guidance in filling this key position.
