Dear Colleagues,
I write to inform you that Vice Chancellor for Marketing, Communications & University Relations (MarComm) Liv Hwang is resigning from UWM. MarComm includes the following units:
- External Relations & Government Relations
- Marketing
- Strategic Communications
- Print & Copy
- Web
We are grateful for Liv’s commitment and service to UWM. As vice chancellor since December 2022, Liv managed important changes for the university, including completion of phase one of the Student-Centric Web initiative, and leading UWM’s brand renewal process, resulting in a new brand identity which will launch in Fall 2025. Liv also developed MarComm’s first division-wide strategic plan and strategic enrollment marketing plan to support increased undergraduate enrollment on the main campus, and to achieve improved FAFSA completion rates in Spring 2024. Liv also contributed to collaborative advocacy efforts for UWM in the 25-27 capital budget process to complete the Health Sciences Renovation project; we hope to secure this funding later this year. We congratulate Liv on her successes at UWM and wish her well in all her future endeavors.
Deanna Alba will continue as Acting Vice Chancellor of MarComm. In this role, Deanna reports directly to me and functions as chief executive and administrative officer for the division. Deanna has worked in higher education support services for 20 years, including the last 15 as Assistant Dean for Marketing in the College of Letters & Science (L&S). Deanna brings vast experience on marketing to and in serving students to promote enrollment and retention. I extend my sincere thanks to Deanna for taking on this role, and to L&S Dean Scott Gronert, for facilitating Deanna to take temporary leave of absence from her assistant dean role in L&S.
Effective Jan. 28, 2025, the unit of External Relations & Government Relations, which is led by Chief Government Relations Officer Keri Duce, reports temporarily to me.
Given the chancellor transition occurring in summer 2025, Deanna will serve in the interim role until the incoming chancellor determines the plan for the division and its leadership.
Best regards,
Mark A. Mone, PhD
Chancellor