John Lenox Joins Rider as New AVP for University Communications and Marketing

The University community welcomed John Lenox as the new assistant vice president for University Communications and Marketing on March 18. Lenox joins Rider after spending the last six years as Global Communications Director for Bristol-Myers Squibb in Lawrenceville.

“We’re thrilled to bring John to Rider. I’m confident that his experience and leadership qualities, coupled with his energy and enthusiasm for the job, will help us continue to convey key messages about the University’s current mission and future ambitions to the broadest possible audience,” said Jonathan Meer, vice president for University Advancement.

In his role, Lenox leads the Office of University Communications and Marketing, which is responsible for Rider’s internal and external communications, media relations, crisis communications, and creative services efforts. As part of his responsibilities, Lenox also assumes the chairmanship of the University Communications and Marketing Council.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to join this great university and look forward to working with staff, faculty, students and alumni to support the vision and mission of Rider,” said Lenox, a native of New Jersey.

Lenox, who earned his master’s degree in Professional Communication and a bachelor’s degree in Communication at La Salle University, brings more than 20 years of professional communications experience to Rider. Over the course of his career, he has worked with and served as a strategic communications adviser to executive leadership for some of the country’s most recognized nonprofit organizations, including the American Cancer Society, for which he served as vice president of Marketing and Strategic Communications, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which he served as a director. At both these notable nonprofits, as well as in the pharmaceutical industry, he developed and implemented numerous communications campaigns to target diverse, global audiences that successfully strengthened the reputation of these companies, supported the business and engaged employees.

“I look forward to taking what I have learned in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors and applying them here in higher education,” Lenox said.

Lenox’s specific areas of expertise include public relations strategy, marketing communications, including website and publications development, and communications strategy in the areas of employee engagement, community relations, crisis communications, government relations, and development.