Hetzel brings to the position extensive experience and expertise from her work at Stanford University Graduate School of Business
Page Hetzel, associate dean and chief marketing officer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, is joining the University of Rochester as its first vice president for marketing and communications. President Sarah Mangelsdorf announced Hetzel’s appointment, which is effective October 1.
The vice president for marketing and communications oversees and collaborates on marketing and communication efforts across the University. The role was recently redefined with a marketing component to emphasize the importance of developing a national and global branding program for the University and to direct ongoing marketing communications initiatives to convey Rochester’s academic and research strengths to local, national, and international communities. Hetzel will oversee the Office of University Communications, be a member of the University’s Cabinet, and provide strategic counsel to Mangelsdorf and University senior leaders on a broad range of communications matters.
“Page Hetzel brings deep experience in executing strategic marketing and communications initiatives, which is a critical attribute for this role,” says Mangelsdorf. “I am quite impressed with Page’s accomplishments at Stanford Business School and I look forward to working with her to advance the institutional priorities that will accelerate Rochester’s position as one of the country’s leading research universities. I believe her expertise will be of tremendous value to all areas of the University as we launch our new Strategic Plan.”
Adds Mangelsdorf, “I want to thank members of the search committee and the University community for their time and commitment to the search process. I also wish to acknowledge Erin Kane for her exceptional service as interim vice president since November.”
Tom Farrell ’88, ’90W (MS), senior vice president for University Advancement and chief advancement officer, chaired the search committee, which worked to identify a strategic, innovative, and collaborative leader to elevate Rochester’s educational and research reputation.
“The search committee was unanimous in its support for Page,” says Farrell. “Her experience, mindset, and energy stood out among a highly competitive candidate pool. Her success in leading campaigns to drive enrollment, to improve the reach and quality of the Stanford GSB brand, and her expansive use of analytics are examples of the type of leadership she will bring to Rochester. Page knows how to work in complex organizations and the search committee believes she will be an excellent partner for communications professionals across the University.”
Hetzel brings to the position extensive experience and expertise in areas such as brand management and advertising, digital marketing, communications strategy, global media relations, and leadership communications.
“I am thrilled to move back home and join the University of Rochester,” says Hetzel, who grew up in nearby Fairport. “I have been impressed by the contributions the University has made through its teaching and research and by the many talented people who work to support the mission. I look forward to working with colleagues across the institution to help further the University’s mission, to elevate its reputation, and to advance engagement and connections with all constituencies.”
Hetzel joined the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 2012 as the school’s first-ever director of digital marketing. She significantly improved the quality and reach of the school’s brand, led a multi-year, cross-functional evolution of the website that transformed it to an audience-centric communication vehicle, developed a new social media strategy that created centralized oversight, and led a successful school-wide email strategy.
She was named director of communications in 2015 and, as a member of the communication and marketing leadership team, advised and supported the direction and management of the department. Hetzel provided expertise and counsel on new initiatives, and helped lead the creation of a centralized marketing effort and global reach taskforce for online education. She managed a team of eight by setting strategy and tactics to extend, strengthen, and protect the Stanford University Graduate Business School brand globally, including building a global media program that supported the school’s efforts in Asia, Europe, South America, Latin America, and Africa.
As associate dean and chief communications and marketing officer, she has advised on all aspects of school management, including strategic planning. She has been leading a 28-person team to manage all institutional communications and marketing efforts supporting the school’s brand, priorities, and values, while working across the university as a strategic collaborator.
Prior to joining Stanford, Hetzel was manager of online marketing for Hewlett Packard. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Delaware and an MBA from Cornell University.
University Communications encompasses University news and social media; leadership communications; digital strategy; creative and brand strategy; media relations; and Futurity.org, the international university research news source created in partnership with Duke and Stanford universities and edited at the University of Rochester.
