ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan Board of Regents has approved the appointment of Lisa M. Rudgers as vice president for global communications and strategic initiatives, effective June 1. The board approved the appointment at its May meeting.

The position of vice president for global communications and strategic initiatives replaces the current position of vice president for communications.

“The University of Michigan is recognized worldwide. This new position reflects the scope of responsibility needed in a fast-paced, global communications environment that is continually evolving and changing,” said President Mary Sue Coleman, who recommended Rudgers to the board.

The vice president for global communications and strategic initiatives is the university’s chief communications officer. Rudgers will be responsible for developing communication strategies to enhance U-M’s visibility locally, nationally and internationally. The vice president also is responsible for planning, directing and managing the communications office, including the Freedom of Information Office, Michigan Marketing and Design, Public Affairs, Internal Communications, Michigan Public Media, Presidential Communications, Film Office and the News Service.

As an executive officer, she will be a member of the senior management team and will advise deans, directors, executive officers and the president regarding communications.

“I am delighted that Lisa has accepted the offer and will return to lead our communications enterprise,” Coleman said. “Through her knowledge of the University of Michigan and previous success here, Lisa will bring great assets to this critical role. In addition, she has deep knowledge of higher education more broadly, both in leading communications units for other public and private universities and more recently as a result of her consulting practice focused on strategic communications for higher ed.”

Rudgers served as the university vice president for communications from 2000-2007. She played a crucial role in developing the public outreach messaging and related strategies surrounding the university’s defense of the admissions lawsuits up to the U.S. Supreme Court. She directed communication around many presidential and university initiatives, including the president’s China initiative, the digital library initiatives, and the University Research Corridor.

“Communicating the University of Michigan’s scale, scope and excellence is an exciting challenge, especially in today’s worldwide and web-based information environment,” Rudgers said. “It’s a privilege to return to Michigan’s central administration, and to continue the work of connecting the University to stakeholders within our state and around the globe.”

Other U-M efforts under her leadership included revamping the university’s Internet gateway and the En Espa