John McKain named associate VP for communications

John McKain
McKain

John McKain, assistant dean for communications at the College of Human Ecology, has been named associate vice president for university communications, Vice President for University Relations Joel Malina announced Oct. 1. McKain will begin his new position Oct. 19.

McKain has more than 20 years of experience in marketing communications, strategic planning, legislative affairs, media relations and events management, and he will serve on Malina’s leadership team.

“I have long been impressed with John’s results-driven approach to communications – reflecting both substantive skill as well as an emphasis on collegiality and partnership. I look forward to his applying these important attributes to the work of University Relations,” Malina said.

McKain joined Cornell in 2006, working first for Alumni Affairs and Development before assuming his current position at the College of Human Ecology in 2011.

As assistant dean, McKain has developed a communications and media strategy integrating strategic messaging for Web, multimedia, print and social media platforms. He has organized legislative affairs communications in support of faculty research and facilities, and the college has seen coverage of its faculty members and students in major news media triple. In addition, he has led alumni communications efforts in support of college fundraising goals and managed crisis communications.

As associate vice president for university communications, McKain will lead a staff of 50, overseeing strategic messaging, marketing, and media relations and news. Charged with promoting and raising the visibility of the university, he will be responsible for directing and implementing unified communications that advance the division’s mission and support the university’s priorities.

McKain will work collaboratively with Malina and senior leadership and across Cornell’s colleges, schools and units to create communication strategies that broaden the impact and awareness of the Cornell brand.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the university, and I am thrilled to be entrusted with this new role,” McKain said.

Prior to joining Cornell as a marketing director in Alumni Affairs and Development, McKain served as special projects director at the Communications Consortium Media Center in Washington, D.C., where he managed project research, media relations, training and database management for 10 media advocacy programs.

Media Contact

John Carberry