Feb. 4, 2020– Northern Kentucky University announces Dr. Roy Gifford as its assistant vice president for Marketing & Communications. He assumed the role on Feb. 3.
Dr. Gifford joins NKU from Revision Military, one of the largest protective gear brands within the military and law enforcement industry. A senior marketing executive with over 20 years’ experience, Dr. Gifford has led marketing and communications initiatives, working on brands such as Timken Bearings, Coca-Cola, Cummins Engine, Coors Light, Coors Original, Carhartt, Jack Daniel’s, Remington, Bicycle, etc. He has worked in a number of leadership roles throughout his career such as district business manager, brand director, marketing adjunct professor and most recently as chief marketing officer.
“Roy’s strategic leadership will play an instrumental role in how we engage the campus community, our external stakeholders and prospective students,” said Eric Gentry, vice president for University Advancement. “His insights on marketing and communication will further advance our vision of becoming a premier, student-ready, regional engaged institution.”
Dr. Gifford will lead NKU’s Office of Marketing & Communications in developing high-impact, integrative marketing solutions and communications strategies— with a singular focus on advancing student success aligned with the needs of the region. NKU’s strategic framework, Success by Design, outlines three pillars of student success: Access, Completion and Career & Community Engagement.
According to Dr. Gifford, one of his most rewarding jobs was as a graduate assistant football coach at Ohio University because it gave him an opportunity to teach student-athletes to be the best they could be – not only on the football field, but also in the classroom. That inspiration has brought him to NKU, where he can leverage his sales and marketing talents to serve the students, faculty, staff and university’s community.
“My family has lived in northern Kentucky for a decade, and I’ve seen first-hand the impact NKU has on the region. The university’s strategic framework has a powerful message– focusing on providing access to education and supporting students to complete their degrees and have rewarding careers,” said Dr. Gifford. “I’m excited to join NKU and lead the Marketing & Communications team to amplify that message.”
Dr. Gifford earned his Doctor of Management from Case Western Reserve University. He also received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, a Master of Sports Administration from Ohio University and his bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University, where he was a four year starter for the football team. Dr. Gifford enjoys spending time with his wife, Rog; daughter, Catherine; and son, Booker, as well as fishing, hunting and cooking.
For more on NKU’s Office of Marketing & Communications, visit its website.
About NKU: Founded in 1968, we are a growing metropolitan university of more than 15,000 students served by more than 2,000 faculty and staff on a thriving suburban campus near Cincinnati. Located in the quiet suburb of Highland Heights, Kentucky—just seven miles southeast of Cincinnati—we have become a leader in Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky by providing a private school education for a fraction of the cost. While we are one of the fastest growing universities in Kentucky, our professors still know our students' names. For more information, visit nku.edu.
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