Colgate University

 

Vice President for Communications

 

We are pleased to announce that Colgate has appointed Debra K. Townsend, who will take up her new position in July.

 

Since 1997 Townsend has consulted for more than forty public and private colleges and universities, including Bates, Bennington, Bowdoin, Franklin & Marshall, Gettysburg, Skidmore, Trinity, and Union, among others.

 

Before beginning her practice as a consultant, Townsend served as Vice President for External Relations at Bennington College and as Director of News and Communications for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  In her native Michigan, Townsend directed the Senate Majority News Office.  She managed press activities for twenty senators and served as chief spokesperson and news strategist for the State Senate.

 

Townsend received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University.  She is nationally accredited by the Public Relations Society of America.