Auburn names Clardy assistant vice president for communications and marketing

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Auburn University has named Mike Clardy assistant vice president for communications and marketing following a national search, announced today by Don Large, executive vice president. Clardy, who has been serving as interim assistant vice president since 2015, will begin the new position immediately.

"Mike has done an excellent job in his previous positions at Auburn," Large said. "We look forward to his continued leadership in disseminating Auburn's message and brand both nationally and internationally."

Clardy will be responsible for the development of marketing strategies and comprehensive communications plans that support key university initiatives. As head of the Office of Communications and Marketing, he will oversee marketing, news writing, website design and management, social media, broadcast video, photography, publications, advertising and creative design services.

"I am honored to serve such a great university. Through the efforts of many people, Auburn's brand is very strong," Clardy said. "We will continue to leverage that success to position the university as a top academic, research and service institution and increase engagement among our stakeholders, both in the state and beyond our borders."

Clardy joined Auburn in 1998 as a broadcast associate and was named communications project manager in 2001. In 2006 he advanced to director of university communications and media relations, a position he held until being named interim assistant vice president. He also serves as an adjunct instructor in the School of Communication and Journalism. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the University of Georgia and worked seven years as a television news anchor and reporter.

While at Auburn, he has earned advanced public information officer certification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and he helped lead development of the university's crisis communication plan, which earned a Grand Award—the highest honor—from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. He is a past chair of the executive committee of the Southeastern Conference Communicators Association.

Clardy's civic involvement includes serving on the Lee-Scott Academy board of trustees, of which he is a past president. He is also a past president of the East Alabama Chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama and the Big East High School Football Officials Association.

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Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.