St. Bonaventure University

Paul Redfern, a nationally respected higher education marketing and communications leader with more than 25 years’ experience at institutions in the Northeast, has been named chief marketing and communications officer at St. Bonaventure University.

Redfern, who begins Aug. 24, succeeds Tom Missel, who will retire Sept. 8 after 25 years at St. Bonaventure, including the past decade as chief communications officer in the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Redfern most recently served as vice president for University Communications and Institutional Strategy at St. Lawrence University, where he was a strategic adviser to the president and senior leadership team.

During his tenure, he transformed the university’s communications operation into a digital-first marketing organization centered on storytelling, analytics and audience engagement, helping strengthen enrollment marketing, advancement communications and institutional reputation.

Before joining St. Lawrence in 2018, Redfern spent nearly 18 years at Gettysburg College, rising to executive director of Communications and Marketing. There, he led integrated branding and communications initiatives that more than doubled the college’s national media visibility and helped elevate Gettysburg’s profile during the Civil War sesquicentennial and through nationally recognized programming at the Eisenhower Institute.

Since late 2024, Redfern has worked as a communications and marketing strategy consultant, advising higher education and nonprofit organizations on strategic positioning, messaging, digital engagement and organizational communications.

He also serves as chair of the Board of Directors of The Tuition Exchange, a national consortium of nearly 700 colleges and universities, and is immediate past president of the College and University Public Relations and Associated Professionals (CUPRAP).

“Paul is an accomplished strategist, an exceptional storyteller and a collaborative leader who understands both the opportunities and challenges facing higher education today,” said Dr. Jeff Gingerich, president of St. Bonaventure.

“Just as important, I truly believe Paul appreciates the importance of mission in shaping an institution’s identity. His experience, creativity and commitment to authentic, values-based communications will help us share the St. Bonaventure story with even greater impact, and I am delighted to welcome him to our university community.”

Redfern said the university’s Franciscan mission and commitment to students stood out throughout the search process.

“Every conversation I had during the search process left me more excited about the opportunity to join the St. Bonaventure community,” Redfern said. “From my very first conversations with President Gingerich and members of the campus community, it was clear that St. Bonaventure is a place where mission, relationships and student success truly guide decision-making.

“I’m honored to join a university with such a rich Franciscan tradition and look forward to partnering with colleagues across campus to tell the stories that reflect the St. Bonaventure experience, elevate the university’s visibility, and strengthen its reputation.”

As chief marketing and communications officer, Redfern will provide strategic leadership for the university’s integrated marketing and communications efforts, overseeing institutional branding, media relations, executive communications, enrollment marketing, digital strategy and advancement communications.