Tom Milligan, vice chancellor for communications at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will be leaving the university to become executive vice chancellor for university relations at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
He will begin his new job Sept. 1 and will be transitioning to this new role during the summer. Milligan will direct UMass’ marketing, government relations, and branding and communications efforts. He also will play a lead role in developing a comprehensive strategy to improve the campus’ fund-raising capabilities and in connecting with its alumni and other supporters.
Milligan’s hiring was announced by outgoing UT Provost Robert Holub, who has been hired as chancellor at UMass.
Milligan joined UT Knoxville in February 2005 after working in public relations at Colorado State for about 13 years. Prior to his public relations work, he worked in newspaper and radio.
"Tom has succeeded in his goal of melding UT Knoxville’s departments of media relations, creative communications and video and photo services into a strong communications and marketing team that is prepared to move forward in promoting the university and its unique role in the state," Interim Chancellor Jan Simek said. "We will miss Tom’s vision and enthusiastic leadership, but we wish him the best of luck with this new opportunity."
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the flagship, land-grant and leading research campus of the University of Massachusetts system, with an enrollment of 25,000 students. Amherst is among five entities that comprise the University of Massachusetts state system.