Stephanie Knific
Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing, UVM Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine
PRONOUNS she/her
- M.A., Human Resource Management with a specialization in Organizational Behavior and Change, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
- B.A., Public Relations, Glassboro State College (now Rowan University)
UVM Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine
Areas of expertise
public relations, strategic communications, crisis communications, marketing, brand management
BIO
Stephanie Knific was appointed Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing at the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont in July 2024 and leads the College's Office of Medical Communications. An award-winning communications leader and strategic thinker, Knific brings extensive experience in higher education, media relations, academic marketing, and brand management. She is recognized for building collaborative partnerships and advancing institutional goals through a creative, analytical, and solutions-oriented approach.
Knific joined Larner from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where she served as Director of University Marketing and Communications. In that role, she led the institution's communications and marketing efforts, overseeing public relations, strategic communications, community engagement, branding, crisis communications, and integrated communications strategy.
Prior to Sam Houston State, Knific held communications roles at Lone Star College, one of the largest community college systems in the nation, serving more than 97,000 students annually. She also worked in public affairs and marketing at the Houston Chronicle and in communications leadership roles across several K–12 school districts in Texas and New Jersey. Throughout her career, she has developed and executed integrated communications strategies that strengthen institutional reputation, support student success, and advance organizational priorities.
Across industries and organizations, Knific has served as a brand champion, strategist, collaborator, coach, content creator, and crisis communications leader. While her responsibilities have evolved throughout her career, her commitment to education and advocacy for student success has remained constant.
Bio
Stephanie Knific was appointed Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing at the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont in July 2024 and leads the College's Office of Medical Communications. An award-winning communications leader and strategic thinker, Knific brings extensive experience in higher education, media relations, academic marketing, and brand management. She is recognized for building collaborative partnerships and advancing institutional goals through a creative, analytical, and solutions-oriented approach.
Knific joined Larner from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where she served as Director of University Marketing and Communications. In that role, she led the institution's communications and marketing efforts, overseeing public relations, strategic communications, community engagement, branding, crisis communications, and integrated communications strategy.
Prior to Sam Houston State, Knific held communications roles at Lone Star College, one of the largest community college systems in the nation, serving more than 97,000 students annually. She also worked in public affairs and marketing at the Houston Chronicle and in communications leadership roles across several K–12 school districts in Texas and New Jersey. Throughout her career, she has developed and executed integrated communications strategies that strengthen institutional reputation, support student success, and advance organizational priorities.
Across industries and organizations, Knific has served as a brand champion, strategist, collaborator, coach, content creator, and crisis communications leader. While her responsibilities have evolved throughout her career, her commitment to education and advocacy for student success has remained constant.