# UofL taps ETSU marketing leader as new communications VP **Published:** 2026-06-10T14:49:36.000Z **Source:** [Lane Report (KY Business)](https://www.lanereport.com/188070/2026/06/uofl-selects-etsus-vodden-as-new-vp-for-communications-and-marketing/) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/uofl-taps-etsu-marketing-leader-as-new-communications-vp University of Louisville President Gerry Bradley has named Jessica (Jess) Vodden the university's vice president for communications and marketing, according to [The Lane Report](https://www.lanereport.com/188070/2026/06/uofl-selects-etsus-vodden-as-new-vp-for-communications-and-marketing/). Vodden, who served as the inaugural vice president for marketing and communications at East Tennessee State University, will assume the leadership role on Aug. 17. She replaces John Karman, who has served in the interim position since late 2024 and will return to his role as university spokesperson and executive director of communications. At ETSU, Vodden led an integrated team of more than 30 marketing and communications professionals and oversaw a comprehensive brand modernization and digital ecosystem overhaul that contributed to record new student enrollment and the university's recognition as a Great College to Work For. Her responsibilities included strengthening internal communications and developing integrated marketing strategies. Bradley praised Vodden's qualifications in a statement. "We are thrilled to welcome Jess as a Cardinal and look forward to her leadership as she guides a talented team of professionals who work tirelessly to tell UofL's story and shape and elevate the university's brand," he said. "Jess brings with her an established track record in helping universities with integrated marketing and narrative strategy, digital transformation and crisis communications." An enterprise marketing and communications executive with more than 20 years of experience, Vodden previously served as chief marketing officer at Savage Grant, a social impact investment firm focused on economic and workforce development. She also held a senior role with the [West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission](https://www.wvhepc.edu/) and founded VLS, a behavioral design and communications advisory practice that worked with universities, government agencies and nonprofits. Vodden earned a bachelor's degree in public relations with minors in Spanish and graphic design from Marshall University and a Master of Public Administration in nonprofit management from the University of Colorado Denver. At UofL, she will serve as a member of the president's leadership team and will focus on strategic priorities including academic success, [enrollment growth](https://www.louisvillecardinal.com/2025/09/university-of-louisville-enrollment-figures-show-continued-growth/), innovation, community partnerships and elevating the university's national reputation. [UofL has reached record enrollment of 25,000 students](https://news.louisville.edu/news/uofl-proves-leading-higher-ed-choice-record-enrollment-and-retention) and boasts a record retention rate of 84.1%, marking substantial growth under Bradley's leadership. ## Sources - [Lane Report (KY Business)](https://www.lanereport.com/188070/2026/06/uofl-selects-etsus-vodden-as-new-vp-for-communications-and-marketing/) - [UofL News official announcement](https://news.louisville.edu/news/jess-vodden-new-vice-president-communications-and-marketing) - [Louisville Cardinal enrollment growth reporting](https://www.louisvillecardinal.com/2025/09/university-of-louisville-enrollment-figures-show-continued-growth/) - [UofL enrollment and retention milestone announcement](https://news.louisville.edu/news/uofl-proves-leading-higher-ed-choice-record-enrollment-and-retention) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Lane Report (KY Business), enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://www.lanereport.com/188070/2026/06/uofl-selects-etsus-vodden-as-new-vp-for-communications-and-marketing/.