Lisa Lapin appointed vice president for communications at Stanford

Lisa Lapin, associate vice president for university communications at Stanford University since 2008, has been promoted to a new post as vice president for university communications, effective Nov. 21.

Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne announced the appointment, saying the new position, reporting to him, reflects his view of the importance to the university community of open and effective internal and external communication.

“Lisa brings extensive communication and leadership experience, and deep understanding of Stanford’s culture as well as the rapidly evolving digital, media and communications landscape, ” said Tessier-Lavigne. “Effective communication is critical to the success of the university, and open communication will be fundamental to this administration. Lisa has demonstrated dedication to these principles and is widely respected and trusted at Stanford and beyond. I’m delighted to expand her role in this important new position for Stanford.”

Lisa Lapin

Lisa Lapin is Stanford’s new vice president for university communications. (Image credit: L.A. Cicero)

The vice president for university communications reports to the president, advising campus leaders and managing the university’s central communications operations. The Office of University Communications includes internal and external communication programs, media relations, web and digital platforms, crisis response, the Stanford News Service, Stanford Report and Stanford Video. Lapin also serves as primary spokesperson for the university with news media, and provides leadership to and collaborates closely with a network of more than 150 communications professionals in campus units and the seven schools.

Lapin previously reported to Vice President for Public Affairs David Demarest, who remains in his role overseeing government and community relations, where a significant focus will be on federal policy toward universities as well as the upcoming General Use Permit (GUP) effort, which is one of the university’s key priorities over the next few years. He will continue to advise President Tessier-Lavigne on strategic initiatives, as well as expand his teaching responsibilities at the university.

“Lisa has transformed our communications capabilities over the course of her time here,” Demarest said. “Her leadership, dedication and innovative thinking are widely recognized by our peers, and have placed Stanford at the very forefront of the communications field.”

During Lapin’s tenure, she has overseen the growth and redesign of central web and digital platforms, which currently reach millions of people daily, as well as a conversion from print to digital communications, such as the daily Stanford Report. In 2013, she oversaw development and implementation of the new Stanford visual identity and toolkit to help units align with current technology. Her team has introduced more efficient services and tools, including Stanford Web Services, the SALLIE visual asset management system and web accessibility support. Other innovations include systems to improve emergency and crisis communications and content production and delivery.

“It is a privilege every day to share the stories of Stanford’s remarkable people and their contributions to the world,” Lapin said. “On behalf of the entire University Communications team, we look forward to continuing our close work with the campus community, and to expanding and improving our professional support in service to the university.”

Lapin serves on the Public Affairs Committee of the Association of American Universities; is a past trustee of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and past chair of the CASE Commission on Communications and Marketing; and is involved in numerous other national organizations. She is chair of the 2017 CASE Summit for Advancement Leaders.

Prior to Stanford, Lapin served as the chief communications officer at the University of California, Davis, for nearly a decade. She was an editor and reporter at major daily newspapers including the San Jose Mercury News, Los Angeles Times, New York Times and Sacramento Bee. Among her numerous journalism honors is a shared Pulitzer Prize for Mercury News coverage of the Loma Prieta earthquake.

Lapin holds a master’s degree from Stanford, MLA ’15, and a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the University of Southern California.