AUGUSTA — University of Maine at Augusta President James Conneely has named Mark Tardif as executive director of strategic marketing and public affairs.

In his new position, Tardif will oversee the Office of Public Affairs, which includes all UMA efforts in the fields of community relations, public relations/marketing, social media, internal/external communications and publications and web management.

Tardif will oversee a series of strategic marketing, communications and branding initiatives that have been initiated by Conneely. Among these efforts is the comprehensive rebranding of UMA to more accurately reflect the full measure of its leading-edge leadership, achievement (six faculty who are Fulbright Fellowship recipients), service and innovation.

These marketing and communications initiatives include strategic messaging, web site and logo redesign. A public unveil of the new brand designs for the UMA community, media, stakeholders and general public is planned for the fall of 2016.

A Lewiston native and graduate of St. Dominic Academy of Auburn, Tardif most recently served as director of marketing and communications for University College, a unit of UMA.

Tardif has held a teaching, journalism, administrative and communications positions in Maine, Massachusetts and London, England.