April Kaull joins Carnegie Mellon as Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications

April Kaull, currently the executive director of communications at West Virginia University, has been appointed associate vice president for strategic communications at Carnegie Mellon University. She will join the University Communications and Marketing(opens in new window) (UCM) leadership team on April 7.

Kaull has served WVU in a variety of roles since 2015, most recently leading the news and research communications staff while serving as the university’s media spokesperson. Her responsibilities included coordination of leadership messaging, such as speechwriting, opinion pieces and video productions, as well as management of institutional crisis communications and the university’s WVU Magazine.

“This is a pivotal time for Carnegie Mellon to advance the transformative narrative of our academic and research mission and how it positively impacts the greater good in society,” said Tysen Kendig(opens in new window), vice president for university communications and marketing. “April’s impressive experience, energy, collaborative nature and excellence in all manner of communications will benefit the entire CMU community in more effectively spreading our story of profound impact on a global level. I couldn’t be more excited to have her join our team.”

As associate vice president, Kaull will be a key coordinator and leader among other communicators across the university, developing a comprehensive content strategy while raising standards and developing talent. She will be charged with delivering content and communications that are creatively and strategically implemented for maximum impact across a variety of audiences. Her administrative portfolio within UCM includes content strategy, internal communications, media relations, social media, research communications, and reputation and issues management.

“I felt an instant connection during my visit to campus, and every person I met reinforced the heartfelt spirit that makes Carnegie Mellon — one of the world's most prestigious and innovative universities — so special," Kaull said. "I want to thank Vice President Kendig and the university's leadership for this opportunity to join the CMU family and to build on its foundation of excellence to share the manifold stories of the positive impact Carnegie Mellon makes in people's lives each day."

Prior to WVU, Kaull spent 11 years as vice president of news operations for West Virginia Media LLC, leading 150 staff at a variety of television stations and network affiliates throughout the state while serving as anchor and executive producer for the company’s daily newscast. Earlier in her career, she was a news director and anchor, producer and reporter at WOWK-TV and WBOY-TV.

Kaull holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast news and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications, both from WVU.

UCM at Carnegie Mellon leads and coordinates strategic communications and marketing, raising the institution’s global visibility, and deepening its reputation as one of the world’s great universities. It tells the university’s stories through its rich array of tools and platforms and provides leadership, partnership and coordination for communications and marketing staff across campus, collaborating with other offices, colleges, schools and departments. It helps articulate and highlight the distinctive excellence of CMU and its broad and deep impact on the human condition. With its world-leading strengths at the intersection of technology and humanity, CMU’s research, innovation and creativity will help shape the 21st century.