As the executive director of external relations, Michael is responsible for leading and integrating all marketing, communication, and engagement activities to meet strategic external goals. As executive director, he partners with OSU Foundation, alumni association, and university relations and marketing to positively impact the college’s reputation and influence; alumni, industry and donor engagement; student recruitment, student success, donor stewardship and philanthropy.

Prior to joining the College of Engineering, he served as director of external relations for the OSU College of Forestry, where he led the creation of a comprehensive strategic recruitment and marketing plan that increased enrollment. He also served on the college’s Elliott State Research Forest project team to help convert the 90,000-acre state forest into a research forest to allow OSU to help make ongoing contributions to conservation, economic growth, recreation, education, and forest research.

Before his work in external relations, Michael had a 12-year career in collegiate athletics, serving as associate athletic director at Western Oregon University and leading media relations operations for several NCAA Division I athletic programs.