photo by: University of New Mexico

Cinnamon Blair

A communications professional from the University of New Mexico has been named as the University of Kansas’ next vice chancellor in charge of communications and marketing efforts.

Cinnamon Blair will begin her role as chief strategic communication officer and vice chancellor on Sept. 15, KU Chancellor Douglas Girod announced in a message to university employees.

Blair currently serves as the chief marketing and communications officer at the University of New Mexico, where Girod said she “directed the university’s most comprehensive rebranding initiative.” Girod said Blair has also been credited with saving millions of dollars in the university’s operating budget by vendor consolidation and other streamlined services.

In her role at New Mexico, Blair serves as part of the president’s senior leadership team. Girod said she would also do so at KU, as the vice chancellor position will be part of KU “University Cabinet.”

Blair has been with the University of New Mexico since 2003, according to a past press release on the university’s website. She previously served as the university’s director of marketing for the university’s Health Sciences Center. Prior to joining the university, she held roles with the New Mexico Economic Development Department and the New Mexico State Parks’ Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, according to the university release.

Blair has a master of science in health education from UNM and undergraduate degrees from Emory University in Atlanta.

At KU, Blair will fill the position left open when Karla Leeper announced in May that she was leaving the vice chancellor role to accept a similar position at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Blair will begin at KU on Sept. 15, Girod said.