Malcolm Holmes to lead strategic initiatives and diversity at ASU Cronkite School

Malcolm Holmes, an accomplished marketing and public affairs professional, will join Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication to serve as its executive director of strategic initiatives and diversity.

Holmes will serve on the Cronkite School’s leadership team, tracking progress and measures on strategic initiatives, helping to enhance and expand the student experience, executing and assessing the school’s comprehensive diversity strategy, and directing the pursuit of, and reporting on government grant opportunities.

“I have known Malcolm Holmes for a very long time and have always respected his talent, work ethic and leadership. He is committed to quality, standards and, most importantly, student success. Malcolm will be an excellent addition to our leadership team and a tremendous asset to all of Cronkite nation,” Cronkite School Dean Battinto L. Batts Jr. said.

Holmes brings more than 30 years of experience in community relations, public affairs, mentorship, marketing, communications, media planning and advertising while serving on a number of boards and committees. He’s also won numerous awards for advertising, marketing and community service.

“I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity. I look forward to working with Dean Batts and the entire team to actualize the strategic vision, goals and priorities of the Cronkite School,” Holmes said.

Holmes was most recently the director of university marketing and brand manager at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he was a member of the advancement and university relations leadership team since 2013. In that role, he was responsible for enhancing the university’s visibility and brand awareness, which included creating and implementing marketing plans for academic programs and admissions, and developing advertising objectives and media plans.

Holmes also served on a number of university committees and councils at Mary Washington, including the diversity task force, leadership council and marketing committee. 

Prior to that position, Holmes was director of marketing communications and public affairs at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Virginia, where he worked to broaden the impact of the college’s programs, oversaw organizational messaging and promoted constituent services.

He started with the college in 1993 as printing and publications services manager before advancing through various positions during almost 20 years at the school.

During that time, Holmes also served as board chairman for the Carver Promise, a nonprofit mentoring partnership in Richmond between local colleges and universities and elementary-age students. 

He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science in mass communications and received a Master of Arts in media and communications from Norfolk State University.