Goucher College announces new vice president of marketing & communications

Goucher College has named Lisa Van Riper as the new vice president of marketing and communications. Van Riper will join Goucher from Knox College, where she serves as vice president for communications and information technology. Van Riper was selected after an exhaustive national search and will assume her new role at Goucher on February 6, 2023. 

 

“Lisa’s depth of experience will be a tremendous asset to the college as we build on the momentum of our strategic plan, launch our new campus master plan, and begin the final phase of our [UNDAUNTED] campaign to build our new Science Innovation Center,” said Goucher College President Kent Devereaux. “Lisa will play a strategic role in raising Goucher’s national and international profile and building on our commitment to global education and DEIJ initiatives. We look forward to welcoming Lisa to the Goucher community.”

 

Van Riper brings more than 25 years of experience to her new role and has led communications for consumer packaged goods and services corporations, nonprofits, public service agencies, and higher education institutions. At Knox, she led marketing and communications campaigns for the admissions and advancement divisions, developed the college’s COVID-19 communications, and implemented improvements in processes and tools that enhanced team productivity and engagement. 

 

At Goucher, Van Riper will be a member of the President’s Cabinet and work directly with President Devereaux to elevate the institution’s brand reputation as a premier liberal arts institution and leader in global education, develop comprehensive and strategic marketing and communications initiatives to support the college’s growth, and ensure that all branding activities support institutional goals. 

 

“I am honored and excited to be a part of the close-knit Goucher community and to have the opportunity to share stories about the distinctive experiences Goucher offers its students, such as the college’s commitment to universal study abroad, student success teams, and the internship accelerator,” said Van Riper. “I especially look forward to supporting the college’s Creating Global Changemakers strategic plan and partnering with the college’s innovative and passionate faculty, staff, and community to ensure that the diverse students who attend Goucher can realize their dreams. And finally, who can resist a college with an adorable mascot like Rowdy the gopher?” 

 

Prior to joining Knox College, Van Riper oversaw communications for Common App and was director of enterprise communications for Alexandria Renew Enterprises (AlexRenew), assistant vice president for university communications for the University of Richmond, and assistant vice president of public affairs and store marketing for CarMax Inc.