Cass Cliatt is Brown’s Senior Vice President for Communications. Reporting directly to Brown University President Christina H. Paxson, Cliatt conceives, implements, evaluates, and refines strategic communications to support and advance the institution’s goals and priorities. She stewards the public face of Brown, oversees constituent-based communications, and advises the president, senior officers, faculty, and other members of the University community on communications strategy and opportunities. 

Cliatt serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet and on the University’s Executive Committee and leads the central communications division that manages crisis communications, news, media relations, marketing, digital engagement, and strategic events, as well as Brown’s flagship alumni magazine. She has been a prominent presenter on issues of reputation management in higher education and a sought-after speaker on crisis communications and matters of institutional voice.

Before coming to Brown, Cliatt was Vice President for Communications at Franklin & Marshall College, reporting to the president and overseeing strategic communications, branding, and media relations across the institution. She previously led news and editorial operations at Princeton University and served as the institution’s chief spokesperson. Cliatt’s earlier career was in journalism, working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for major newspapers. She also worked previously in government, serving as the inaugural deputy director of communications/policy for the Cook County Clerk’s Office in Chicago.

Cliatt received her bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a Master of Science in journalism from Northwestern University. She is active on various boards, councils and commissions devoted to supporting research, communications and education.