Dear Colleagues,
I am excited to share that John Drevs has been appointed as UW-Milwaukee’s next vice chancellor for the Division of Marketing & Communications, effective June 26, 2026.
In this role, Vice Chancellor Drevs will report directly to me and serve on the Chancellor’s Cabinet. This position provides strategic leadership for the university’s integrated marketing and communications efforts across campus. With a focus on storytelling and engagement, the vice chancellor will advance initiatives that support enrollment goals, build alumni pride, strengthen institutional identity, and support athletic programs and visibility.
In collaboration with campus, advancement and community partners, the vice chancellor will guide efforts to enhance UWM’s visibility and reputation, support enrollment and student success, and contribute to the institution’s overall growth and resource development. The division includes more than 40 staff members and operates with a budget of approximately $5 million.
John brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing and communications in higher education. He currently serves as associate vice president for digital marketing and communications at Loyola University Chicago, an R1 university with Division 1 athletics, where he is a member of the marketing leadership team overseeing marketing and advertising, creative design, project management and school-based marketing communications. In this role, he directs strategic planning and guides integrated marketing and communication strategies aligned with institutional priorities, enrollment growth and brand development, and advises university leadership on communications and crisis response.
John has held a series of progressively senior digital marketing roles at Loyola, where he directed enterprise web strategy, governance, analytics and social media initiatives across hundreds of websites and channels. Earlier in his career, John led e-commerce and digital marketing efforts in the health care sector and co-founded a marketing and web design firm, managing complex digital projects across higher education and nonprofit organizations.
I extend my sincere appreciation to Associate Vice Chancellor for the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management & Student Success Kay Eilers and Associate Vice Chancellor for Business and Financial Services Drew Knab for their leadership as co‑chairs of the search committee, as well as to all committee members and staff who contributed their time and expertise throughout the process.
Eilers shared that she is “thrilled to be welcoming John to UW‑Milwaukee,” saying “his experience with direct enrollment marketing and communication will support both recruiting incoming students and retaining current students, and the expertise he brings will further amplify UWM’s amazing opportunities for learners.”
Knab echoed that enthusiasm, noting “John’s passion for UWM’s mission and deep marketing expertise across undergraduate and graduate programming, fundraising, research and athletics will help propel UWM forward. His experience working at a university in a large metropolitan area will enable John to lead UWM’s Marketing & Communications division with vision and strategy.”
I thank Jodie Tabak, who will continue to serve as our interim vice chancellor for the Division of Marketing & Communications until John joins us, as well as the senior leadership team and divisional staff who ensured continuity and momentum throughout this transition.
Please join me in welcoming John to UWM. I am confident that his leadership will help advance our mission and further elevate the university’s impact.
Best,
Thomas Gibson
Chancellor