Andrea Monroe Weaver

After a national search, Andrea Monroe Weaver has been named chief marketing and communications officer at UNCW, according to a recent news release.

Weaver has served as interim chief communication officer since July 2020, during a pivotal time for key communication initiatives, including the development of benchmarks for the next strategic plan, the planned launch of UNCW’s redesigned website and campus safety messaging related to the global pandemic.

“Andrea has proven herself as a strong leader over the past two years during a very challenging time for the university,” said Chancellor Jose Sartarelli in the release. “Her collaborative approach and productive relationships with a broad range of university constituents will be beneficial as the university works to enhance its brand and national reputation.”

Weaver has more than 25 years of professional experience in planning, developing and managing digital and print communications at higher educational institutions. She also has expertise in external and internal communication, crisis communication and project management.

Weaver currently leads an OUR team of 20 staff members. OUR is responsible for emergency and crisis communications; media relations at the university level; content development and collaborative management of the university website; management of university-level social media accounts; branding across all platforms; production and distribution of UNCW Magazine, a monthly chancellor’s digital newsletter, a weekly digital newsletter for faculty and staff; and oversight of approximately 1,000 design/editing/photography and video projects annually. 

She will report directly to the chancellor and serve as a member of the chancellor’s cabinet.

Weaver said in the release, “I deeply appreciate the collaboration and support I have received from Chancellor Sartarelli, other campus leaders and colleagues across UNCW, especially the creative and dynamic team in the Office of University Relations. I look forward to working with many collaborators to share more great stories about this university and the Seahawks who make it soar.”

Weaver serves on the university’s Crisis Decision Team, the Emergency Planning Group, the Chancellor’s Safety and Security Committee, the University Community Relations Task Force, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, the Institutional Research Board, the Strategic Design and Planning Steering Committee, and the campus-based Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges 10-Year Review Committee.

Before stepping into the interim chief communications officer role, Weaver was the deputy director of the Office of University Relations. She has also held positions in UNCW’s Division for University Advancement, Meredith College, Peace College (now William Peace University) and Pfeiffer University.

Weaver was a journalist early in her career, working as a reporter at the Wilmington StarNews and the Greensboro News & Record.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a webmaster certificate in design media from N.C. State University.