Schoenfeld to take communications post at Duke

Michael Schoenfeld

Schoenfeld to take communications post at Duke

Michael Schoenfeld, Vanderbilt University's chief communications, government and community relations officer and spokesman for more than a decade, will leave at the end of the academic year to become the vice president for Public Affairs and Government Relations at Duke University in North Carolina, effective July 1.

Schoenfeld and his wife, Elizabeth, director of the Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth and founder of the Vanderbilt Summer Academy, are Duke graduates who met as undergraduate students.

Schoenfeld joined Vanderbilt in 1997 as the university's first vice chancellor for Media Relations and became vice chancellor for Public Affairs in 2000.

Since his arrival, Vanderbilt's public affairs efforts have been recognized as among the most creative and innovative in higher education, earning numerous honors from professional associations such as the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

“When I came here almost 12 years ago, it was my goal for Vanderbilt to quickly be recognized by our peers as setting the standard for communications and advocacy, and to add value to every part of the university's mission,” said Schoenfeld. “I believe we have exceeded even those lofty ambitions, and I could not be more proud. Vanderbilt today is more visible, better understood by people around the world, and clearly at the front ranks of American higher education.

“I am grateful to my colleagues, our faculty, students and staff, and the leadership here for giving me the opportunity to tell their stories and advance the academic mission of this great university,” Schoenfeld added. “Elizabeth, Abby and I have treasured our time in Nashville and will always remember the special spirit of this great city.”