Staff

The Office of Public Affairs

Erik Smulson (C’89) | Vice President for Public Affairs and Senior Advisor to the President

Erik leads Georgetown’s efforts and senior officers in institutional positioning and branding, intercollegiate athletics, strategic communications, civic engagement, and public safety.

J. Callahan Watson (C’07, L’14) | Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Business Policy

Cal leads efforts to oversee implementation and compliance with key university policies, such as the Georgetown University Just Employment Policy and the Code of Conduct for Georgetown University Licensees. He serves as the chair of two university committees, the Advisory Committee on Business Practices and the Licensing Oversight Committee. He also is a member and coordinates the work of Georgetown’s Committee on Investments and Social Responsibility.

Silvana S. Gutierrez (SFS’16, G’22), Assistant Director for Public Affairs

Silvana broadly supports the Office of Public Affairs by producing relevant research and analysis of emerging issues, strengthening the University’s visual identity cohesion as a part of Georgetown’s Visual Identity Working Group, and providing managerial and organizational support for the office.

The Office of Protocol and Events

Mary Haines | Director of Protocol and Events

Geoff Bible (SFS’12, G’16, G’20) | Deputy Director of Protocol and Events

Geoff is responsible for event coordination, logistics and security, protocol and cultural issues, and program design and production for dignitaries visiting campus.

The Office of Strategic Communications

Meghan Dubyak (G’19) | Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications

Meghan serves as the primary University spokesperson and leads a talented team of professionals in the Office of Strategic Communications and Creative Services. The office is responsible for the message and narrative development for major University initiatives, media relations, social media and digital engagement, internal communications, editorial, video production, and graphic design.

Bethany Imondi (C’13, G’20) | Director of Operations Communications

Bethany serves as a member of both the Office of Strategic Communications and the Office of the Chief Operating Officer. She
develops, coordinates, and implements communications strategy on all SVP/COO issues/messaging, with an ability to maintain an effective balance between broad university and SVP/COO objectives and the needs of COO-reporting departments (HR, Finance, UIS, Planning and Facilities Management, Auxiliary Services).

Andrew Walker (SFS’16, G’21) | Internal Communications Manager

Andrew designs communication plans, coordinating with senior leadership, to ensure accurate and timely communications of university positions to internal and external audiences.

Nia Hightower (G’16) | Director of Content Strategy

Nia analyzes content performance and develops effective ways to further the reach of content created within the university’s Office of Strategic Communications and by communications teams across the university’s campuses in Washington, DC and its campus in Qatar.

John LaRue | Graphic Designer

John provides design and art direction to university partners from concept to completion, ensuring their work will be visually impactful and adhere to Georgetown’s visual identity.

Ruth McBain | Manager of Media Relations

Ruth is a University Spokesperson and manages media relations for the University. She facilitates interviews between journalists and faculty experts or University leadership, provides background information and official statements to support media reporting on Georgetown, assists news crews with filming on campus, and manages press for on-campus events.