Saint Mary’s Welcomes Christine Hutchins as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

by Office of Marketing & Communications | April 26, 2022

Saint Mary’s College of California President Richard Plumb announced today that Christine Hutchins, a 17-year veteran of higher education with experience across a wide range of strategic communications and marketing roles nationally, has been named as Saint Mary’s new Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.

“As Saint Mary’s charts its course for the future, sharing the College’s story in a strategic and creative way through our marketing and communications efforts is critically important,” Plumb said. “Christine’s knowledge and experience across multiple levels of higher education will help us showcase the close-knit feel of campus life, the innovative spark that prepares students for life after college, and the return on investment our graduates receive once they join the workforce—all key components of the College’s liberal arts, Lasallian, Catholic mission.”

Plumb also announced a change in title for the office Hutchins will lead. Moving forward, the Saint Mary’s Office of College Communications will be renamed as the Office of Marketing and Communications. This adjustment allows for an increased emphasis on both facets of the College’s outward-facing efforts and consolidates those efforts under Hutchins’ direction.

"At Saint Mary’s, I have found a home rich in history and prepared for the future with its strong commitment to creating transformative paths through the Lasallian principle of service to others and dedication to each student’s success, both inside and outside the classroom,” Hutchins said. “I look forward to getting to know and be part of such an inclusive community, from students, faculty, staff, and alumni alike. I am also deeply honored to serve alongside President Plumb, with his innovative vision to elevate Saint Mary’s profile.” 

Hutchins brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Saint Mary’s. Most recently, she served as Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications and Digital Marketing at San Jose State University, where she was a member of the President’s Leadership Council, and led a staff responsible for elevating the university’s brand on the regional, national, and international levels. 

At San Jose State, she helped lead the brand development and unveiling of the institution’s current 10-year strategic plan, Transformation 2030. She comes to Saint Mary’s as it focuses on its own six-year strategic plan that will lead up to the College’s 2028 centennial in Moraga. She also led the development and implementation of marketing and communications plans in partnership with the Enrollment and Admissions office for the San Jose State’s five-year Strategic Enrollment Management plan.

Prior to her time at San Jose State, Hutchins served as Associate Vice President & Chief Communications Officer at San Diego State University. She also served as Vice President for Communication and Marketing at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, a private liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,300 students. 

Her career includes an eight-year tenure at Stanford as the school’s Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, leading all marketing, communications, and revenue generation for the Athletics department. She is a graduate of the University of Chicago and holds an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management. 

“I plan to start my tenure by listening to and learning from the campus community,” Hutchins said. “This is critically important as it will help me to understand and support the institution’s key initiatives and goals while at the same time developing and implementing a successful road map of key marketing and communications milestones to achieve. I look forward to getting to know my team members and collaborating with campus stakeholders with the meta goal of developing and implementing a comprehensive, integrated marketing and communications plan for the College that will enhance its reputation and brand.”

“I am truly excited about the work ahead and fully immersing myself at Saint Mary’s.” 

Hutchins will begin her duties at Saint Mary’s on July 1.