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Candace Smith, senior associate vice chancellor for public affairs and strategic communications, has accepted the position of . Smith will leave ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ after nearly a decade of leadership roles within Strategic Relations and Communications.

In her current role on campus, Smith oversees media relations, crisis and issues management, executive and strategic communications and editorial strategy. She advises university leadership on reputation, stakeholder engagement and complex communications challenges while helping advance and protect ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ's reputation as one of the nation's leading public research universities.

Throughout her tenure, Smith helped elevate the university's visibility through communications initiatives focused on research, student success, sustainability, athletics and major institutional priorities. She guided communications efforts for nationally significant issues, such as COVID-19, research advocacy campaigns, federal policy developments and major events, including ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ's partnership with the Sundance Film Festival and preparations for the university's 150th anniversary celebration. She expanded research storytelling and research advocacy efforts, including increasing visibility for the university’s quantum research enterprise, improvingÌýÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ American Caldwell Global University Visibility ranking from 45th to 31st and leading the development of campus communications guidelines for the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

"Candace has been a trusted advisor, strategic leader and valued member of the university's leadership team," said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. "Her leadership helped strengthen ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ's ability to tell its story, navigate complex communications challenges and elevate the impact of our research, teaching and public service mission. I am deeply grateful for her many contributions to our campus and to the countless colleagues she has supported throughout her tenure. While we will miss her leadership, we wish her every success and are excited for her as she begins this important new chapter with RTD."

Roqua Montez, vice chancellor of communications, marketing and social media, thanked Smith for her contributions to the university and the Strategic Relations and Communications division.

"Candace has played an important role in the evolution and success of our communications organization," Montez said. "She championed proactive storytelling, strengthened our public affairs and issues management capabilities, expanded executive and strategic communications support and helped position ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ as a national leader in higher education communications. Perhaps most importantly, she invested in people, buildingÌýaward-winning teams and helping colleagues grow professionally. We are grateful for her service and proud to see her take on this significant leadership opportunity."

Prior to joining ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ, Smith held communications leadership positions at George Washington University and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro). She is an award-winning communications professional whose career spans higher education, public transportation and journalism. Her honors include numerous communications, marketing and journalism awards, including a Radio, Television, Digital News AssociationÌýEdward R. Murrow Award.

"Serving ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ has been one of the greatest privileges of my career," Smith said. "I am grateful to Chancellor Schwartz, campus leadership, my colleagues in Strategic Relations and Communications and partners across the university for their trust, collaboration and support. Together, we have helped tell the story of a remarkable institution that changes lives every day. While it is difficult to leave a place I care so deeply about, I am excited for the opportunity to continue serving Colorado communities in a new way."

A national search will begin immediately.ÌýÌý