University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella today announced the appointment of Johnny Cruz as chief communications and marketing officer. Cruz brings a collaborative approach and deep experience in higher education communications. He will focus on elevating the university's voice in ways that reflect its values and mission, while helping to foster a stronger sense of connection and purpose across the U of A community. His appointment begins Sept. 3.

"Johnny is a seasoned and thoughtful communicator whose career reflects a deep commitment to public service and institutional mission," Garimella said. "His experience leading integrated communications in higher education and the nonprofit sector makes him exceptionally well-suited to lead the U of A's communications and marketing efforts."

Cruz returns to the U of A, where he previously served in central communications for nearly eight years including as assistant vice president for communications. He currently serves as chief communications and marketing officer at the University of California, Riverside, a role he has held since 2018.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the next chapter of one of the nation's great public universities in a place that feels like home," Cruz said. "The U of A mission and story are as compelling as they've ever been, and I am thrilled to join President Garimella's leadership team to share this story across Arizona and around the world."

At UC Riverside, he leads an integrated marketing, communications and events team that has helped significantly grow the university's national reputation, contributing to the university's admission into the Association of American Universities in 2023.

While at UC Riverside, he led a comprehensive institutional rebranding initiative, expanded research communications and national media coverage, led storytelling for the university's first comprehensive campaign, managed crisis communications, built a digital marketing and analytics function, and integrated enrollment marketing, events and commencement into a unified team.

Earlier this year, Cruz was appointed interim vice chancellor for university advancement and interim president of the UC Riverside Foundation, overseeing the university's development and alumni engagement functions.

Cruz has more than 25 years of communications and marketing experience at public research universities and global nonprofit organizations, including leading the external communications unit at Make-A-Wish America and directing public relations for the global humanitarian organization World Vision.

Cruz is a nationally recognized higher education leader and practitioner, speaking and moderating at national conferences on the topics of branding, marketing, communications and talent management. In 2023, he was named one of the three finalists for national higher education marketer of the year by the American Marketing Association.

He serves on the Council on Strategic Communications executive committee for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the Association of American Universities marketing steering committee, and is a CASE@Campus Fellow for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.