Eric Townsend
Assistant Vice President for Strategic Communications and Media Relations
Department: University Communications
Email: etownsend4@elon.edu
Phone number: (336) 278-7413
Professional Expertise
Brief Biography
I joined the Office of University Communications at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ in August 2007 and today serve as assistant vice president for strategic communications and media relations. In this role, I coordinate a team of embedded academic communicators and staff who oversee the news bureau, social media, internal communications, and inclusive communications messaging to ensure consiste brand identity with a focus on showcasing student academic achievements and faculty scholarship
Links
News & Notes
Education
Master of Journalism, , 2003
Bachelor of Arts (Cum Laude), , 2001
Employment History
Assistant Vice President for Academic Communications, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, September 2022-December 2024
Director of Communications for the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ School of Law, March 2016-2022
Director of the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ News Bureau,, August 2007-March 2016
Staff writer, newspaper (Greensboro, N.C.), May 2004-August 2007
Staff writer, newspaper (Elkton, Md.), June 2003-April 2004
Staff writer, newspaper (Middletown, Del.), August 2001-May 2002
Courses Taught
Leadership Positions
, (Board of Directors, 2009-2015 | Secretary, 2015-2017 | Treasurer, 2017-2022)
Service Activities
(Board of Directors, 2024-present)
(Board of Directors, 2022-present)
(Vice Chair, 2024-present; Board of Directors, 2022-present)
(Board of Directors - Communications, 2024-present)
(Education & Income Impact Council, 2017-2023)
(Communications/Yearbook/Grants & Awards, 2017-2020 | 2nd Vice President, 2020-2022, School Leadership Team, 2022-2024; Yeabook 2024-2025)
(Communications Chair, 2020-2021 | Secretary, 2021-2022)
(2015-2022)
Former volunteer with the (Disaster Action Team member)
Staff advisor for a student-organized Hurricane Katrina relief trip to New Orleans in January 2013
Skills
News and feature writing; social media; basic photography and videography; media relations.
Awards
2019: H. Lewis Gaston Award from the College News Association of the Carolinas
2021: Sandy Carmany Award for service to the Guilford County Council of PTAs