University Relations is the central communications office of St. John’s University. The mission of the Office of University Relations is to inform, engage, advocate for, and promote St. John’s consistently to our various internal and external constituent groups.
University Relations works to develop and oversee comprehensive communications, marketing, and public relations programs that represent a strategic, cohesive, and consistent image and message to support the University’s mission and goals. We work to cultivate and maintain relationships with constituent groups through timely and accurate communications and regular, personal outreach and community involvement.
The Office of University Relations comprises departments that serve the entire University community and serve as liaisons to our internal and external constituents. University Relations comprises a full complement of strategic communication professionals working in areas including Marketing and Communications, External Relations (Media Relations and Community Relations), and Government Relations.
Our Team
Associate Vice President of University Communications & Public Affairs
St. John's University
8000 Utopia Parkway
Queens, New York 11439
718-990-2762 (office)
917-561-7068 (cell)
[email protected]
As Associate Vice President of University Communications and Public Affairs, Brian Browne is responsible for all St. John's internal and external communications and University Relations (Community, Government, and Media Relations) efforts.
Mr. Browne is responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies, promoting St. John’s message and storytelling by building and advancing the institution’s brand. He is a key advisor for internal and external communications and strategic public policy issues.
An experienced leader in government relations, community engagement, and media affairs, Mr. Browne is responsible for coordinating interaction between government officials and community leaders on behalf of St. John's. He is responsible for creating and implementing government and communication strategies to promote, protect, and benefit the University and its constituencies. He serves as an advisor to senior leadership and actively participates in developing the University’s overall legislative, business, and communication strategies. Mr. Browne is the primary liaison with elected officials and government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. In this role, he tracks legislation, provides legislative advocacy and awareness, and works to secure new government funding sources and appropriations for University programs and initiatives.
As the university spokesperson, he consults with local, national, and international media, including in complex situations involving issues management and crisis communications. He responds to media inquiries, interview requests, expert commentary, or specific coverage. He works with faculty to understand developments in research and issues meriting publicity while pitching and promoting student stories and faculty experts to external media outlets.
In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Mr. Browne serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Government and Politics, teaching undergraduate courses in municipal government, public administration, and state and local government. He also regularly provides political analysis and observations for the media; his political commentary has appeared in the New York Post and on WNBC-TV, NY1, WPIX11 News, NET-TV, and many other local media outlets.
Mr. Browne is the founder and primary coordinator of St. John’s PARTICIPATE. This annual civic engagement program promotes a University-wide effort to increase civic involvement and engagement in the political process on campus and in the local community. Mr. Browne regularly moderates public candidate debates and hosts Meet the Candidate nights on campus annually.
After completing his undergraduate and graduate studies in government and politics at St. John’s University, Mr. Browne began his career in government and politics as a congressional staffer, rising from volunteer intern to District Office Director before returning to his alma mater in 1998.