Cass Cliatt

Cass Cliatt is the Senior Vice President for Communications. Reporting directly to Brown President Christina Paxson, Cliatt conceives, implements, evaluates, and refines strategic communications to support and advance the institution’s goals and priorities. She stewards the public face of the institution, oversees constituent-based communications, and advises the president, senior officers, faculty, and other members of the University community on communications strategy and opportunities. She serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet and on the University’s Executive Committee.

Cliatt leads a division that develops multi-platform communications solutions to serve the University, as well as an Identity Strategy to promote and elevate Brown's standing as a leading institution. Brown's Office of University Communications includes teams that manage content strategy and strategic communications, news and media relations, web and digital communications, social media, and the full range of creative marketing and production services, including print services (Brown's Digital Print Facility and Copy Center). Cliatt also oversees the Brown Alumni Magazine. The Office of University Communications prioritizes the active promotion of the University’s mission on and off campus.

Cliatt was formerly vice president for communications at Franklin & Marshall College, reporting to the president and with responsibility for strategic communications, branding, and media relations, as well as all print and multimedia communications across the institution. Prior to that, she was director of news and editorial services at Princeton University and served as the institution’s chief spokesperson. Cliatt’s earlier career was in journalism, working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for major newspapers in Nebraska (Washington, D.C., correspondent), Michigan and Illinois. She also worked previously in government, serving as the deputy director of communications/policy for the Cook County Clerk’s Office in Chicago.

Cliatt received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and a Master of Science in journalism from Northwestern University. She is active on various boards, councils and commissions devoted to supporting research, communications and education.