Wes Sumner

Vice President for External Affairs @Florida Institute Of Technology

Melbourne, FL, US

Associate Vice President for University Relations (20••••11); Vice President of Marketing and Communications (20••••20); Chief of Staff and Vice President for Communications (20••••21); Vice President for Executive Communications (20••••23); Vice President for External Affairs (2023-present). Cabinet member serving on the President\'s senior staff, strategic advisor to the President and coordinating all crisis communications and external affairs initiatives. Manage special projects and matters involving university officials and external leaders, including liaising with Trustees when directed and representing the university to external groups as needed. Participate with the President and other senior administrators in strategic institutional planning, policy development, oversight and problem resolution. Serve as university\'s primary media spokesperson and counselor to the President and other administrators concerning crisis communications issues. Prepare high-level communications including speeches, presentations, press releases and presidential correspondence. Supervise Marketing, Communications, Governmental Affairs, the Office of Security, and WFIT-FM, the area\'s NPR affiliate. Address other duties and tasks as assigned by the President. Adjunct Instructor for the Nathan Bisk College of Business (2018-present). Courses taught include Marketing Principles, Corporate Social Responsibility, Entertainment and Sports Marketing and Business Law. Host of the weekly university radio program and podcast, Today in STEM (2022 to present).

Florida Institute of Technology

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

Valdosta State University

Master of Education (M.Ed.), Educational Leadership (Higher Education Administration)

University of Central Florida

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Journalism and Political Science (double major)