University of Tampa appoints new marketing chief to boost national profile

The University of Tampa has announced the appointment of Lorraine Daignault as vice president of marketing and communications, underscoring the school’s push to raise its national profile.

Daignault, a veteran higher education marketer with a record of rebrands that delivered measurable growth, will begin Oct. 20.

The hire signals how UTampa intends to compete, not only in Tampa Bay but on a national stage. It also reflects the growing role of higher education in fueling the region’s economy through enrollment, alum entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

The decision highlights both what happened, why it matters for Tampa Bay businesses and what local executives can take from UT’s strategy.

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What Happened

Daignault brings more than 25 years of experience across higher education and the technology sector.

At Bryant University, she launched the school’s first centralized marketing office and led a rebrand that fueled record enrollment. Out-of-market inquiries rose 91%, helping deliver one of the largest incoming classes in Bryant’s history.

At Babson College, she led a global campaign that reinforced its entrepreneurial leadership brand, supported a $50 million gift to launch The Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership and generated more than 25 billion media impressions.

She also spent nearly a decade at Tufts University, directing communications for the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.

President Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg called Daignault “a dynamic, insightful strategist who has successfully built university marketing operations from the ground up.” Dahlberg said UT is “riding a powerful wave of momentum” and expressed confidence that Daignault would “further position the university as a nationally recognized model of excellence.”

What’s Happening Now

In her new role, Daignault will sit on the president’s cabinet and guide a unified brand strategy. Her focus will include elevating national visibility, supporting enrollment, strengthening philanthropy and advancing corporate relations.

She will also be tied to initiatives such as AI Across the University and Internships for All, which aim to prepare students for the future of work and deepen UT’s ties to the business community.

Daignault described UT as having “extraordinary momentum” and praised its “dynamic campus, visionary leadership and students who are shaping tomorrow.”

She said she looks forward to working with faculty, staff, students and alumni to “elevate UTampa’s voice, expand its influence and inspire generations of Spartans to come.”

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What This Means for Tampa Bay

Daignault’s appointment is more than an internal reshuffle. For Tampa Bay, it illustrates the strategic role higher education plays in regional growth.

A driver of talent and investment: Stronger national branding can attract students, faculty and research dollars, all of which contribute to the local economy.
A signal of competitiveness: Tampa institutions are not just keeping pace but aiming to surpass peer metros in reputation and resources.
A lesson for business leaders: Marketing leadership, when tied directly to strategy, can fuel measurable outcomes — from revenue growth to philanthropic support.

The University of Tampa’s decision to appoint a new marketing chief marks a pivotal moment for the institution and a telling one for Tampa Bay.

Higher education is becoming a front-line player in shaping the region’s visibility, economy and identity. As UT sharpens its brand and broadens its reach, the move stands as both a signal of intent and a case study in how communications leadership drives growth.