Update: Interim Vice President for Communications and Marketing

Dear Skidmore Community, 

I write to share the news that Diane O'Connor, interim vice president for communications and marketing, has accepted the position of inaugural vice president of communications and marketing at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Diane’s last day at Skidmore will be Jan. 28. 

Diane joined Skidmore in 2016 with more than 20 years' experience in communications, public relations, marketing, and journalism. As senior director of communications and marketing at Skidmore, she has led an extremely effective and collaborative Communications and Marketing team in strategic communications and marketing initiatives; media relations; external and internal communications efforts, including admissions and advancement initiatives; crisis communications strategies; content strategy and production; and website development and programming. 

Since taking on the interim vice president role in March 2021, she has also worked closely with the president’s office and the president's cabinet, providing key strategic and tactical advice during a particularly demanding and challenging time. Among her many achievements, she served as my co-chair for the Commencement Working Group in spring 2021 upon my request, overseeing a 12-member team that skillfully and creatively navigated the many challenges of holding a successful in-person 2021 Commencement. 

A national search to fill the vice president of communications and marketing role is currently underway, with an appointment expected by the spring.   

In the interim, Pete Mackey, founder and president of Mackey Strategies, who specializes in providing strategic communications and leadership services for educational and nonprofit institutions, will be joining Skidmore’s Office of Communications and Marketing in a part-time leadership capacity. 

I am grateful to Diane for her many contributions to Skidmore College and for her willingness to serve as interim vice president in addition to her myriad other responsibilities. Please join me in thanking her for her service and in wishing her well in her new position. 

Sincerely,
Marc Conner
President