Kennesaw State University President Kathy Schwaig has named James Sabourin to the newly created position of vice president of marketing and communications, effective Jan. 3. He will report directly to Schwaig and serve as a member of the president’s cabinet.
Sabourin comes to Kennesaw State with more than 30 years of experience in the corporate and higher education sectors.
Most recently, he served as vice president for communications and university relations at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he oversaw marketing and communications for one of the nation’s largest public research universities.
“I am pleased to welcome Jim Sabourin to Kennesaw State,” said Schwaig. “Jim is a proven leader with extensive marketing and communications experience in both corporate and higher education. His unique perspective will provide important contributions to support and strengthen KSU’s reputation. I look forward to working with him to continue to raise the profile of this remarkable University.”
Prior to LSU, Sabourin served as vice president for corporate communications for Unum, a global Fortune 250 financial services provider based in Chattanooga, Tenn. He was promoted to senior vice president, chief communications officer in 2014, overseeing communications for the U.S.-based company and its European subsidiaries.
From 2000 to 2003, he was the vice president for Arizona-based America West Airlines and led the response to several high-profile incidents, including overseeing communications in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
“I look forward to joining the leadership team at Kennesaw State and to helping carry out President Schwaig’s vision and strategic plan,” said Sabourin. “The University has an incredible story to tell and is positioned for continued success, I am excited about the possibilities.”
Sabourin is a member of the Conference Board Council on Communications Strategy, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities Council on Strategic Communications, Forum Group, Issues Management Council and Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), where he is a past national chairman of the Corporate Communications section.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in communications and journalism from Florida State University and is accredited in public relations through PRSA.
