Oregon higher ed VP to head public outreach

Dr. Michael W. Redding, vice president for university relations at the University of Oregon, has been named executive associate chancellor for external affairs and government relations at the University of Illinois at Chicago. His appointment was approved today by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

Redding, who will begin his appointment at UIC on April 30, will be responsible for relationships with external constituents of the campus, overseeing community relations, international affairs, public affairs and marketing, and coordinating those offices with development, alumni affairs, and access and equity.

He will engage with civic and corporate leaders and alumni, as well as with officials at every level of government on behalf of the campus in concert with the university’s government relations staff. He will also serve as the chancellor’s liaison to higher education organizations.

Redding has a distinguished record of achievement in higher education, public service and the private sector. As vice president of university relations at Oregon, he managed a comprehensive external affairs division encompassing communications, marketing, media relations, design and editing services, digital and social media communications, state and federal relations, community engagement, trademark licensing, alumni affairs and development communications, the university’s radio station and the University of Oregon Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.

Redding has served in various senior leadership roles at the University of Oregon over thirteen years, including Vice President of University Advancement and Associate Vice President of Public and Government Affairs.  Redding has been a member of the president’s senior leadership team since 2004 and helped lead the university’s overall strategic direction, implemented an integrated marketing and strategic communications plan, and secured significant state and federal investment in the education enterprise.

Redding’s appointment at UIC is the result of an extensive national search to fill a position with a newly expanded government relations component. He said his goals are to build national recognition of UIC’s strengths and to forge new relationships in the business community and government, while at the same time building upon UIC’s longstanding bonds to Chicago and its Near West Side neighborhood.

“It’s an honor to be chosen to serve in this new role at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and I am thrilled to be joining the university community,” Redding said. “UIC is a leading research university with an important public purpose. I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students and friends of the university to help UIC fulfill its mission to serve the state of Illinois and the great city of Chicago.”

“Dr. Redding has deep experience in every sector and realm with which this campus needs to engage,” said UIC Chancellor Paula Allen-Meares. “He has a stellar record of achievement in a variety of leadership roles at a top national university. He is precisely the person we were looking for to carry UIC’s message forward and bring us new partners in our missions.”

Before joining the University of Oregon, Redding was legislative director in the Office of Intergovernmental Relations for the city of Eugene, Ore as well as U.S. public and government affairs representative for Texaco. He has held numerous volunteer leadership positions in professional and civic organizations. A graduate of the University of Delaware, he holds Master of Public Administration and Doctor of Education in Higher Education Management degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.

At UIC Redding succeeds Victoria Chou, dean of the UIC College of Education, who has served as interim vice chancellor for external affairs since July. Allen-Meares thanked Chou for her “insightful guidance” of external affairs through a strategic review and restructuring.