Nancy Paton, vice president for university communications, is stepping down from her position at UB Sept. 5 to become the inaugural vice president for strategic communications and marketing at the University of Florida.

Her appointment at UF is effective Oct. 1. She will lead the university’s central communications and marketing operations, overseeing marketing and branding, media relations and news, issues management and public affairs, campus outreach, creative services, video and photography services, and social and digital media.

UB President Satish K. Tripathi called Paton “a valued university citizen and integral member of my senior leadership team. I know I am joined by Nancy’s colleagues and friends throughout the university and the community in expressing my appreciation for all that she has contributed toward advancing our university’s mission.”

Since her arrival at UB in 2013, Paton has led the development and implementation of the most comprehensive branding initiative in UB’s history; developed UB’s first comprehensive marketing and communications strategic plan through a deliberative process of inclusion; convened a senior communications council, resulting in a more unified voice across university communications; increased growth and engagement in UB’s social media channels; and elevated the university’s presence in national and international media.

In 2017, she was recognized as the Higher Education Marketer of the Year by the American Marketing Association.

John DellaContrada, associate vice president for media relations and stakeholder communications, will serve as interim vice president for university communications.