MSU selects next marketing, communications leader

After a national search, Missouri State University has hired Mark Danes as its next vice president for marketing and communications. He starts July 27.

Danes succeeds Suzanne Shaw, who filled the role from 2014 through early 2026. Andrea Mostyn, director of strategic communications at MSU since 2016, served as interim vice president during the search.

MSU said Danes will oversee communications, messaging, marketing and branding at the university. His background is in higher education, public relations and corporate communications.

“This is an exciting time for our university as we have a clear vision for the future,” said MSU President Richard “Biff” Williams, in a news release. “Mark’s leadership and expertise will be instrumental as we strengthen our brand and identity, tell our story with greater impact and advance the goals of ‘Igniting Opportunity.’”

“Igniting Opportunity” is the name of MSU’s new strategic plan.

“The opportunity to help advance the mission of Missouri State is particularly exciting because of its pedigree as the nation’s leading public affair university,” Danes said in the release.

“There are many diverse stories of student, faculty, staff and alumni achievement to share that distinguish the university as a top-ranked academic, research and public service institution.”

His starting salary at MSU will be $189,000.

Danes was a candidate for a similar role at Southern Connecticut State University – which briefly announced his hiring before removing online posts – but withdrew his candidacy to accept the Springfield-based job, according to a statement issued July 9 by MSU.

MSU said Danes has signed his contract and stated “Missouri State was his and his family's first choice and represents a homecoming. His wife was raised in Missouri, and they have family across the state.”

Most recently, Danes served as vice president for marketing and communications at Alfred University, where he supported the design and launch of a $200 million capital campaign, MSU officials said.

He joined Alfred University, a private institution in New York, in 2022 after spending six years in a similar role at Des Moines University.

Danes also led marketing and communications at the University of North Dakota and The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. There, he helped forge partnerships with Google, Boeing, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command and Joint Base Charleston, according to a 2022 news release announcing his hiring at Alfred University.

A certified project manager, Danes has also been involved in organizational change, according to MSU. He has held leadership roles at organizations such as Edelman Public Relations, McGraw Hill LLC and New York University Medical Center.

Danes is pursuing an educational doctorate in higher education leadership from the University of North Dakota. He has a master’s degree in project management from The Citadel and a bachelor’s degree in humanities and theater arts from the State University of New York-Purchase College.