Clemson University names Sharon Martin Vice President for Marketing and Communications
Clemson University has named Sharon Martin as Vice President for Marketing and Communications. In her role, she will serve as a member of the president’s Executive Leadership Team and develop and implement integrated communications and marketing strategies to build and protect the Clemson University brand.
Martin, who will begin at Clemson in October, comes from West Virginia University where she’s spent the past 11 years. Originally serving as Vice President for University Relations, Martin has been Vice President for University Engagement and Chief Marketing Officer since 2017 where her responsibilities included university relations, alumni relations, enrollment management as well as WVU’s Purpose Center.
During her time in Morgantown, Martin oversaw WVU’s communications and marketing teams aligning various divisions and units to increase brand awareness, develop brand and communication campaigns, and enhance outreach and engagement through earned media, social media, internal communications and unique user experiences. Her portfolio included creative services, marketing, communications, outreach, brand and licensing, alumni engagement, recruitment, admissions and student financial services.
In addition, Martin led the launch of an award-winning brand campaign, created a magazine dedicated to research, and implemented a variety of internal communications including Campus Conversations, Inside WVU Today video series, and Academic Media Days. The team’s creative work has garnered numerous awards, including an Emmy in 2020 for the documentary film “Breathe, Nolan, Breathe.”
“With more than two decades of experience in marketing and communications, Sharon brings a wealth of knowledge and a heart for service that will elevate Clemson and the value of the Tiger Paw even higher,” said Clemson University President Jim Clements. “We are thrilled to welcome Sharon to the Clemson Family as our Vice President for Marketing and Communications and look forward to welcoming her to the University this fall.”
Prior to West Virginia, Martin served in a variety of marketing roles at Purdue University, culminating in the position of Assistant Vice President of Marketing, where she was responsible for advertising, strategic marketing, creative services, online experience, segment marketing, and publications. Martin also served as Editor of Purdue’s alumni magazine with the Purdue Alumni Association and founded a boutique agency that launched a bi-monthly women’s magazine for the local community.
She is an executive board member of the Council for Strategic Communications of the Association of Public Land-Grant Universities (APLU), has served as a member of various committees for the National Mortar Board, and has been active with local chapters of the American Marketing Association.
“During my visit to Clemson University, there was an instant connection with the people, the energy and the spirit of the university,” Martin said. “These are exciting times, and I am eager to share the stories and experiences that will elevate the Clemson brand. I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Clemson family and look forward to collaborating on initiatives that will showcase the impact the university makes every day.”
Martin and her husband, David Howell, are the proud parents of Grace, a 2024 graduate of WVU’s Reed College of Media, and Spencer and Carter, who graduated from WVU’s Country Roads program in 2024.
Clemson News
August 27, 2024