The below message was sent by President Cassidy on Aug. 1, 2022
Dear Faculty and Staff:
I am delighted to announce the appointment of Samara A. Sit as ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥â€™s new Chief Communications Officer. Samara, who is currently Associate Dean and Chief Communications Officer of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), was selected from a strong pool of candidates following a national search and will begin her work at ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ on September 1.
During her six years at Cornell, Samara initiated and led the successful creation of CALS’ new strategic messaging platform and visual identity, leading to a marked increase in student applications. The project also informed a complete refresh of the college’s flagship website system, which increased page views by 87% in the first year after launch and received several awards from national professional organizations. Her work at Cornell also included development of a multichannel content strategy for external communications, direction of crisis communications, strong collaboration with the admissions and alumni and development offices to strengthen their communications strategies, and significant increase of the college’s media visibility. Samara also played a leadership role in the college’s recent strategic planning process and served as an at-large board member for the Public Relations Society of America’s Finger Lakes chapter.
Samara’s previous roles also combined her expertise in improving the interface of education and technology to inform key audiences. She worked at George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs from 2009-2016, where she directed school communications and administration, and at the PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, where she became a producer/reporter after directing the NewsHour’s multimedia engagement program for high school students and teachers. A graduate of American University and a Cherry Hill, NJ, native, Samara’s early career included positions at the Newseum, the world’s first interactive museum of news, and at a news start-up, WomensNewsLink.Com.
I extend my thanks to the search committee and its chair, Chief Alumnae/i Relations and Development Officer Bob Miller, for its dedication and thoughtful work. Other members of the committee included Sally Bachofer ‘97 and Gina Kim ‘92, Trustees; Jamie Taylor, Professor and Chair of Literatures in English; Chloe Stapleton-Gray ’23; Katie Krimmel, Associate Dean and Director of the Center for Career and Civic Engagement; Cheryl Horsey, Chief Enrollment Officer; and Ruth Lindeborg, Chief of Staff and Secretary of the College.
I look forward to welcoming Samara in September and to the contributions she will make to ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥.
Sincerely,
Kim Cassidy