Scott Levesque recently joined the Alaska Pacific University community as the new Marketing & Communications Director. His role is to provide direction and execution in the areas of marketing, communications and public relations. He has over 10+ years of experience developing and implementing strategic marketing plans for the higher education, non-profit and healthcare sectors. Prior to APU, Scott worked as a consultant for numerous organizations developing brand identity, creating marketing campaigns and executing fundraising initiatives. He has an undergraduate degree in Biology (yea, he decided on a different career path) and is looking forward to serving the APU community.
What is your new role at APU and what does that entail?
I’m the new Director of Marketing and Communications for Alaska Pacific University. **straightens bowtie** Our job is to share APU’s ever-growing story with their constituents and the general public. We do this through a variety of mediums which, when sewn together, create the central narrative of APU. It’s incumbent upon our team to research, cultivate and share engaging stories that resonate with our community.
What did you do prior to APU?
Before joining APU, I worked as a consultant helping organizations develop strategic marketing and communication initiatives. The best way to describe my consulting career is to imagine a crossing guard in the middle of Manhattan. I acted as a project manager focused on measuring deployment efficiency and overall effectiveness. Before consulting, I worked in both healthcare and higher education as a marketing and communications professional.
What are your goals for this school year?
This school year I’m looking to immerse myself into the APU community as much as possible. I’m also looking to start my graduate degree to help supplement my work experience with additional nuggets of knowledge. Professionally, I have a list of 10 projects I want to complete this year which will help set our department up for future success.
Where did you go to school? What did you study?
My undergraduate studies took me to the beautiful state of Vermont where I attended Castleton University. There I earned my bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry – still not sure how I pulled that one off. Although my course of study was both challenging and rewarding, I’ve veered considerably off the path of science and into the sweet embrace of marketing.
What is your fondest memory from when you were in school?
My fondest memory was leading a group of orientation leaders through a series of team building exercises a week before new student orientation. That weekend provided incredible insight into team dynamics, leadership development, and team capacity. Most survived, but by the end, we were all fried and left to believe that teamwork was an evil mirage situated in the desert of success. In a dramatic turn of events, that year’s new student orientation was the best run program my college had seen in years. I mean, what can I say… #NoPressureNoDiamonds
When you were a college student, who was the most influential person in your life?
The most influential (and interesting) person in my life was my Father. His ability to understand and empower my development as a human and leader is unparalleled. His legacy lives on through me, and now, my son.
What do you do in your free time?
Who doesn’t love some free time in Alaska?! I know I do! Exploring the great outdoors with my family camping, fishing, and hiking around Alaska is my definition of a perfect Saturday. I write and perform music (guitar, drums), as well as dabble in some creative writing. And finally, I’m an obnoxious Boston sports fan. Sorry…
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Would you be surprised to know that my great, great, great grandfather was none other than the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill?
What are you most excited about for this job?
I’m very excited about the opportunity to breathe life into this new department. I see our team as the orators of APU tasked with the responsibility of sharing its narrative through different mediums that resonate with our constituents, community and the public at large. I’m excited about sharing my experience at APU with my sphere of influence and want to empower our community to do the same!
