Rogers Accepts Role at University of Pittsburgh

Susan Rogers, vice president for advancement at UT Dallas, has accepted a new appointment as vice chancellor for communications at the University of Pittsburgh.

President ad interim Hobson Wildenthal said, “Susan Rogers’ 10-year career with us has been marked by a transformation in the public’s recognition of UT Dallas as the home of outstanding faculty and students, and of its great value to the region and the state. Her leadership and guidance as we have crafted and promulgated the UT Dallas story has contributed immensely to the increasing public awareness of UT Dallas and has been a key element in our growing, already substantial recognition as a major contributor to the nation’s educational and research efforts.”

Rogers joined UT Dallas as vice president for communications in 2006, among the first appointees of the then-new President David E. Daniel. Nine years later, Daniel, now serving as deputy chancellor of The University of Texas System, appointed Rogers to create the UT Dallas Office of Advancement. In this expanded role, the range of her responsibilities has included alumni relations, communications, corporate and foundation relations, development, events management, marketing, media relations, periodicals, Web services, and philanthropic stewardship.

“One of President Daniel’s major agendas was ‘telling our story better,’” Wildenthal said. “Susan has been the key leader in sharing University accomplishments both with a broad external audience and with our own faculty, staff, and students.”

Rogers created News Center, the University’s news service, and guided and encouraged the use of new media such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and other social platforms in meeting the communication needs of the campus community. She oversaw a complete rebranding of the University that was aimed at focusing attention on the authentic and quantifiable accomplishments and achievements of the University’s people, and through the portrayal of their stories, illuminating and illustrating the excellence and contributions of UTD to Dallas and the North Texas region. Positive media placements mentioning UT Dallas faculty, students and staff have increased by more than 550 percent in the past five years, from 3,500 stories in fiscal year 2010 to more than 23,000 stories in 2015.

She conceptualized and implemented a public relations campaign that highlighted the public benefits associated with having more research universities in Texas. That effort played a role in informing legislative passage of the so-called “Tier One” bill that incentivized private giving to emerging research universities by matching private gifts with state funds. UT Dallas has received more than $70 million in state matches on research-related giving since the inception of the program in 2010.

Under Rogers’ guidance, UT Dallas established a University magazine, an annual report, responsive Web design for high-traffic sites, an internal newsletter and presidential communications to parents. The University also adopted the University Brand Standards, created moderated institutional email and established protocols for emergency communications that have effectively served the community in situations involving weather-related closures and public safety issues.

“It is has been a privilege to work at one of the country’s most rapidly ascending public research universities and to have daily contact with some of the brightest and most talented faculty, staff and students anywhere,” Rogers said. “Their brilliant work and their devotion to excellence have given us great stories to tell.

“The talented professionals who make up the division of advancement and who have collaborated with me have my deepest thanks for their extraordinary commitment to our mission. UT Dallas and its people will go on to even bigger and better things, which I will follow with interest from the perspective of the new role I’m looking forward to taking at the University of Pittsburgh.”

Rogers came to UT Dallas from the University of Arkansas, where she served as associate vice chancellor for university relations in the office of advancement. She also has served as director of marketing and communications in the Office of Development at Stanford University and as associate vice president for marketing and communications at the University of North Texas.

In addition to her work for educational institutions, Rogers has consulted for a broad array of clients, including the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, the Central Park Conservancy, Long Island University, Lynchburg College, DePauw University and the University of Delaware. She has extensive experience as a writer, reporter and editor at media outlets including The Dallas Morning News, The Miami Herald, The Chicago Sun-Times and D Magazine. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from The University of Texas at Austin.

Rogers will begin her new position on March 31.