New College of Florida Appoints Jessica Rood as Director of Communications and Marketing

New College of Florida has named Jessica Rood, an experienced and award-winning higher education professional, as its new director of communications and marketing.
Rood has been director of creative services at St. Lawrence University, in upstate New York, since 2011. In that position, she helped launch a comprehensive brand messaging project and visual identity project for the college. She designed publications for the college’s alumni relations and admissions departments, donor relations, annual fund and other programs.
She previously served as director of publications and creative services at the State University of New York at Potsdam from 2006 to 2011, and as graphics coordinator for the State University at Geneseo Student Association from 2005 to 2006. She also worked in private industry for a graphic design firm from 2003 to 2005.
Rood was chosen from a pool of more than 100 applicants after a national search. “Jessica has demonstrated tremendous creativity at St. Lawrence and impressed us with her energy and her ideas for communicating the value of New College’s mission,” said Dr. Donal O’Shea, president of New College.
Rood will be responsible for all facets of New College’s public presentation, including its website, magazines, newsletters and development and admissions materials. She begins work at New College on November 4.
“The New College story lives with the alumnae/i, students, faculty, staff, and the larger Sarasota community,” Rood said. “It will be our job to listen and tell that story to a regional and national audience while capturing the personality and character of New College in a compelling way. I am both thrilled and honored to have been chosen to help lead this effort and I am looking forward to learning more about this unique and special place.”
Rood has received a dozen awards for excellence in the design and production of college publications, including viewbooks, orientation guides and annual reports. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and women’s studies from the State University of New York at Oswego in 2001.
She, her husband and three-year-old son look forward to joining their extended family in Sarasota and enjoying outdoor activities including canoeing and camping.