Amy B. Smith ’92, named Vice President for University Relations, Chief Marketing and Communication Officer

Amy B. Smith has been named Vice President for University Relations, Chief Marketing and Communication Officer at Clemson University, returning to her alma mater. Smith formerly held the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Texas A&M University.

In her new role, Smith will develop and implement integrated communications and marketing strategies to protect and enhance the Clemson University brand and create a climate of goodwill and support throughout the university. Smith will provide recommendations to President Jim Clements, strategic operations and executive leadership teams, college deans, and the Board of Trustees on policy and actions related to marketing and brand strategy issues, overall communications and crises impacting the University. Smith will lead the team in University Relations as they work collaboratively with all areas of the University to create a comprehensive and well-coordinated and integrated marketing and communications strategy.

Smith’s appointment, effective October 4, 2021, was approved on Tuesday, August 31 by the Clemson University Board of Trustees Compensation Committee following the recommendation of President Clements and the University’s search committee chaired by Vice President for External Affairs Angie Leidinger.

“I’m excited to welcome Amy back to Clemson,” President Clements said. “Amy’s experience leading communications and marketing efforts in both higher education and the private sector will provide Clemson a valuable and trusted resource as we continue to push the University forward.”

“I am incredibly honored to return to Clemson University, my alma mater, to serve under President Clements’ outstanding leadership and that of the Board of Trustees. I look forward to working with colleagues to support our students, faculty and staff and our land-grant mission,” said Smith. “I am ‘All In.’ Go Tigers!”

About Amy B. Smith

Smith served for five years as Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications officer at Texas A&M beginning in July 2016, where she was responsible for university-wide brand management, media relations, digital communications, campus sponsorships and trademark and licensing of the Texas A&M brand.

Prior to her career in higher education, Smith had spent a significant portion of her career as a global communications executive working in both government and Fortune 500 corporate communications.

Smith served as Vice President, Communications at Raytheon Company, a Fortune 500 defense, aerospace and technology company. She spent four years as a managing director at Burson-Marsteller, one of the world’s largest public relations firms, where she worked closely with the Federal Reserve, Coca-Cola, American Express, SAP and others.

Smith was awarded the Joint Civilian Meritorious Service Award by the Secretary of the Army for outstanding service for her contributions in the U.S. Army’s Program Management Office in Iraq where she served a one-year term as Director of Communications.

Following her graduation from Clemson with a Bachelor of Arts in 1992, she began her career in the sales department at WYFF, the local NBC affiliate in the Upstate. Smith also received a master’s degree from Thunderbird, The Global School of International Management in 1999, and a master’s in public service administration from Texas A&M in May 2021.