Marketing and Communications

Marketing and Communications serves as St. John’s in-house marketing agency. Our team of experienced professionals works in partnership with the University’s academic and administrative units to support the institution's enrollment and advancement goals and to promote awareness of St. John’s brand.

The office provides strategic marketing development through a variety of resources: editorial (including copywriting, editing, and proofreading support), design, photography, digital (including web site, video, and social media support), media planning, and external printing services. MarComm also produces University-wide communications vehicles including [email protected] John's and This Week at St. John’s; posts on electronic campus signage (e-boards); handles inbound marketing initiatives; and maintains the University brand guidelines.

An account director is assigned to every college/department and is the first point of contact to access all office services. To identify the account director for your area, please contact Lucy Traverso at 718-990-7587.

Contact Us

Marketing and Communications
University Center, Room A
718-990-1648

Our Team

Associate Vice President
718-990-6366
[email protected]

Caren Batzer has served as Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications since 2014. After joining the University in 1991 as Advertising and Publications Manager, she grew along with the office to assume additional responsibilities as Director of Advertising and Publications and Director of Brand Communications where she was instrumental in the creation of an in-house agency to effectively address St. John's promotional needs.

Currently, Ms. Batzer is responsible for the multiple teams who conceive and execute integrated marketing strategies to meet the University's enrollment, advancement, and brand objectives, including account management, digital communications, design, media planning, editorial, and external printing. In 2012, she facilitated the development of a new St. John's brand platform and graphic identity and managed its roll-out to the University's various constituencies.

A double alumnus of SJU with a B.S. in Communications and an M.A. in Sociology, Ms. Batzer began her career as an editor and writer in both consumer and business magazines and spent nine years as Editorial Production Coordinator at NYU's School of Continuing Education prior to returning to St. John's.

Gabrielle Verkman
Director

Charles Bahadur
Senior Associate Director

Marybeth Alpers-Mauro
Associate Director, Brand

Danielle Bushell
Associate Director, Marketing

Nicole M. Bertram-Secor
Production Manager

RoseAnn Cronin
Print Production Assistant

Nicole LoCurto
Director, Marketing

Stephanie Bakirtzis
Associate Director, Marketing

Elena M. Damiani
Director

Andrew Miller
Senior Associate Editorial Director

Stephen T. Vivona
Copywriter/Editor

Meg Nugent Dwyer
Writer/Editor

Stephanie M. Petrellese
Editor

Odaris M. Ithier
Art Director

Rosemary Kracke
Senior Associate Art Director

Victoria Chebrucher
Director, Graphic Design

Jennifer L. Rouse
Senior Graphic Designer

Jad N. Nammour
University Photographer

Linda Romano
Director

Patricia Watts
Senior Associate Director

Cherrelle Nicholson
Social Media Manager

Emily McIntyre
Digital Media Producer

Evan Gardner
Video Producer

Nick Boffardi
Video Producer

Lucy Traverso
Executive Assistant

Our Portfolio

Print Materials

Marketing and Communications promotes the people, programs, and achievements of St. John’s University through a wide range of print and online publications.

Homepage Features

The stjohns.edu homepage contains a wide range of feature stories, photo galleries, profiles, and multimedia pieces that promote the accomplishments of the University, students, faculty, and alumni.

Email Communications

Marketing and Communications produces and delivers a variety of email messages to both internal and external audiences, including This Week at St. John’s and [email protected] John's.

Video

Marketing and Communications develops a wide range of videos that promote the University, individual colleges, and our students and faculty.

Social Media

By producing and managing social media content for platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Marketing and Communications engages a variety of audiences on behalf of the University.

Digital Advertising

Using a combination of paid search and social media ads, retargeting messages, and branding initiatives, we connect with our audience online and through mobile devices.

Photography

Photographers from Marketing and Communications cover a wide range of University events and activities both on campus and offsite. Their work can be found accompanying homepage feature stories, in online photo galleries, and in various St. John’s marketing pieces.