TTU System Names Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing
Brett Ashworth, Vice Chancellor for Communications & Marketing
Appointed after conducting a nationwide search, William “Brett” Ashworth will begin his duties Oct. 5.
September 26, 2016 | Written by Dana Jennings
The Texas Tech University System announced today (Sept. 26) the appointment of William “Brett” Ashworth as vice chancellor for communications and marketing, after conducting a nationwide search for the position. Ashworth begins his duties Oct. 5.
Ashworth will be responsible for overall communications, messaging, marketing and branding activity for the Texas Tech University System with a goal of increasing statewide and national awareness.
“Brett’s experience, skills and leadership qualities make him an outstanding choice for this position,” said Chancellor Robert Duncan. “The Texas Tech University System is at a time of transformational growth, and our communications and marketing efforts will play a critical role in enhancing our reputation and ensuring readiness for future development across the system. We are very excited to welcome Brett onboard to lead these efforts.”
Ashworth has more than two decades of experience in public relations and communications strategy in the military and higher education.
He is currently the vice president for communications and marketing at The Citadel where he is responsible for strategically communicating the college’s institutional priorities and overseeing its internal and external communications and marketing functions. He serves as the primary spokesperson and leader of crisis communications planning and execution, as well as the leader of government relations at The Citadel.
“I am honored to join the Texas Tech University System and help advance Chancellor Duncan’s vision for the system,” Ashworth said. “I look forward to working with the communications and marketing teams throughout the system to highlight the research and successes of students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters.”
Ashworth is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. His final military assignment was at the Pentagon where he served as director of Air Force media relations. In this role he was the Air Force’s primary spokesperson and advisor to senior Air Force leadership, including the Secretary of the Air Force and Air Force Chief of Staff. He also commanded an Air Force recruiting squadron that included 102 people covering four states and 106,000 square miles. His other assignments include public affairs duties at all levels of the Air Force and two overseas deployments following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. One deployment was to Afghanistan where he served as the strategic communications advisor to the Afghan government.
Ashworth earned his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Texas State University and went on to receive a Master of Business Administration from Webster University and a Master of Science in Integrated Strategic Leadership from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
A native of Irving, Texas, Ashworth and his wife Katy are the parents of 14-year-old-triplets, Kara, Libby and Drew.
About the Texas Tech University System
Established in 1996, the Texas Tech University System is one of the top public university systems in the state of Texas and nation, consisting
of four universities—Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Angelo State University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso.
Headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, the Texas Tech University System is a $2 billion enterprise focused on advancing higher education, health care, research and outreach with approximately 20,000 employees, more than 50,000 students, nearly 325,000 alumni and an endowment over $1.1 billion.
In its short history, the Texas Tech University System has grown tremendously and is nationally acclaimed, operating on more than a dozen campuses statewide and internationally. Under the dynamic leadership of Chancellor Robert L. Duncan, the Texas Tech University System has set forth a bold vision of excellence, collaboration and innovation and continues to prove that from here, it’s possible.