System official heading to Arkansas

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The outgoing executive director of external affairs for the University of Maine system announced Sept. 7 that he will pursue a career at the University of Arkansas.

John Diamond will assume the duties of his new position as the associate vice chancellor for university relations on Sept. 27, according to University of Arkansas Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Brad Choate.

“John has an extensive knowledge in senior communications and will be a strategic leader in the office of university relations,” Choate said.  “I am very impressed with his knowledge of higher education communications.”

Diamond’s departure comes as the result of systemwide budget cuts which forced the elimination of the department of external affairs.  A gradual phasing-out of the department began in October 2009 and will conclude when Diamond vacates his post on Sept. 24.

When searching for a new position, Diamond said he was initially drawn to the University of Arkansas due to family that lives close to the campus who gave a flattering review of the surrounding area.  Despite a lifetime of professional and personal connections to Maine, Diamond said his commitment in Arkansas would limit any future time spent in this state.

“I will certainly be coming back frequently to visit, but not to work in the state,” Diamond said.

During his time at the University of Maine system office, Diamond was charged with the oversight of media relations, brand management and public opinion research, or as he puts it, to “develop a better public understanding of what the system’s role is.”  He also served as the official spokesperson and speech writer for the chancellor and the board of trustees.

In the past, Diamond has held positions as the director of public affairs and as an assistant professor of journalism and mass communications at UMaine.  Aside from higher education, Diamond served four terms in the Maine State House of Representatives during the 1980s, two of which included the duties of the majority leader.

Diamond graduated from UMaine with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1977, later returning to complete a master’s degree in speech communications.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 9th, 2010, 1:37 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.