Joseph Sanders, Vice President for Advancement Communications, joined Grenzebach Glier and Associates (GG+A) in 2001 and brings 36 years’ experience in public relations and marketing for institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations. His counsel and direction have built award-winning communications programs at public and private institutions.
Joe served from 1993 to 1999 as Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs at North Carolina State University. He directed a staff of 22 and brought the program to national prominence, earning international honors for media relations, video production, and marketing. Joe managed the marketing and communications for a capital campaign that exceeded its goal by 33%. He helped position the university as “North Carolina’s leader in science and technology,” more than doubling positive public perception as measured on statewide opinion surveys.
From 1989 to 1993, Joe served as Vice Chancellor for Communications at the University of Denver, a private institution. His work on a lobbying and public relations campaign secured a 30% increase in state funding for Colorado’s private colleges. The Office of Communications revamped admissions publications, redesigned and wrote alumni and development communications, and increased positive national publicity eight-fold.
In previous positions, Joe built effective communications programs at Texas Tech University and Health Sciences Center, Auburn University at Montgomery, and The Child Development Institute of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
As a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Communications Commission and Public Affairs Task Force, he helped develop the CASE advancement curriculum, helped launch the “Flash Points” service, and co-chaired the Institute for Senior Communications Professionals.
Joe earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in mass communications from the University of Florida at Gainesville.
Selected GG+A client work includes:
– The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and Oklahoma State University Foundation, campaign communications strategy and planning to establish and execute compelling campaign brands, messages and communications strategies
– Duke University Medical Center and Mercersburg Academy, communications program reviews to strengthen fundraising and stewardship through effective communications
– Fordham University and Missouri Botanical Garden, counsel to increase voluntary support through targeted communications products and tactics across the full range of communications channels
– Montreal Neurological Institute and Kronos Longevity Research Institute, institutional and campaign strategic planning to help establish strategic goals and fundraising priorities
