SUNY Geneseo’s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, Kerri Howell, announces her departure

Howell has served in this role since 2020 and, now, reflects on her years of service to Geneseo

Photo courtesy of Kerri Howell

Kerri Howell, a SUNY Geneseo alumna, has been working on the College Communications & Marketing Staff as the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer since 2020. Her resume, along with her current position at Geneseo, includes membership in the SUNY Geneseo class of ‘97, as well as acting as the Director of Public Relations and Marketing at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse and Director of Communications and Media at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. 

At Geneseo, Howell has supported fundraising efforts for Opportunities Rising, which strives to create opportunities for higher education and to make a positive impact on the world for generations of Geneseo students. On Oct. 21, 2025, in an email from the Office of the President, Howell announced her departure from SUNY Geneseo. She is leaving her current position to join the marketing and branding team at the medical center of the University of Rochester, as Howell confirmed with The Lamron.

In her first interview with The Lamron, Howell reflected on her time at Geneseo, both as an alumna and employee. She mentioned her communications degree she earned from Geneseo, and spoke highly of her alma mater by saying that the move back into the Geneseo community had been too “enticing” to not do! In this conversation, Howell made sure to acknowledge all that she has learned as a faculty member at SUNY Geneseo as well, saying that she has “learned so much from [her] team” and that her experience working in higher education that “will help [her] in [her] new role” at the University of Rochester Medical Center. 

Howell’s last day serving Geneseo is Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. She acknowledges that her departure prompts a mid-semester change, which can be difficult. She shared that she sees this as “a clean slate” for SUNY Geneseo’s new president, Dr. Melinda Treadwell, to conduct her search for someone to fill this position—as it requires working extremely closely with the college’s president. As of now, Wendi Kinney, the president office’s Chief of Staff, will oversee the transition, as noted by Howell during the interview. 

While continuing to reflect upon her time at Geneseo, Kerri Howell discussed the “SUNY Geneseo Mission, Vision, and Values” statement. She admitted she wished she had been more direct during her time in this leadership position at Geneseo. The mission statement says that Geneseo strives to “inspire students to develop their knowledge and skills to build a better world.” When asked about how often she sees that mission being acted upon or communicated to students, Howell stated that she “[doesn’t] see the students as often” at Geneseo or “hear [student’s concerns] enough directly” as she would have liked to in her role—as it prioritizes the “faciliat[ion of] communication” rather than taking part in such.

While discussing these shortcomings, she acknowledged recent concerns from students about campus safety. Howell commented that when communicating information about sensitive issues, “sometimes, admittedly, I’ll want to address [the concerns], but I just can’t [because it is information] we are not allowed by law to give.” Though understandable, this conversation continued, focusing on students' frustrations with college communication efforts in the last several weeks. As Howell stated herself, “Perception is reality. If [students are] saying it, it’s likely there’s many more people that have that same feeling.” 

In reflecting upon situations where the campus communications department fell short of being able to fully inform community members, Howell admitted, “We did not communicate with the faculty soon enough last time.” She stressed that a piece of advice she would give to her successor and team members who continue to work at Geneseo in communications roles is to continue “looking at what’s been done in the past so you don’t make the same mistake[s].” 

Lastly, Howell shared that as she departs, she will remember her team as being “fabulous and… hope[s] that the next person [in this role] sees that too.” She also commented on how she will remember the students of Geneseo, saying that she remains “in awe at what our students have been able to” accomplish, citing the five students who recently won Fulbright awards and highlighting “the positions [Geneseo students] hold as alumni.” 

Howell and the rest of the communications department are hopeful for the future of Geneseo. They are eagerly looking forward to Dr. Melinda Treadwell’s administration going into the remainder of the academic year—and beyond.