Marianne Spoon was recently named the UW–Madison School of Education’s next associate dean for communications and advancement, a position she is starting on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021.
In her role as associate dean, Spoon will provide leadership and vision for the Office of Communications and Advancement and its team of marketing, communications, and advancement professionals. Spoon will report to the dean and serve as a member of the School’s senior staff.
“I am thrilled that Marianne will join the School of Education as the associate dean for communications and advancement,” says School of Education Dean Diana Hess. “She brings to this role the knowledge, skills, and energy to lead what is already a very effective team. I look forward to working with her.”
Spoon is familiar with UW–Madison after serving since December 2014 as the director of communications and marketing with the university’s Center for Healthy Minds, where she also focused on growing a community of support through advancement partnerships and events. Prior to that, she served as the communications officer with the university’s interdisciplinary Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. She has also worked as a writer, producer, and journalist — including efforts writing articles for the Discovery Channel’s website and HowStuffWorks.com, and producing “Morning Edition” with Atlanta’s NPR affiliate, WABE.
She will work collaboratively with School of Education leadership, departments, units, and other stakeholders in developing marketing and communication strategies in support of School priorities. Key target audiences for this work include prospective and current students, employees, alumni, peer institutions, media outlets, and the public.
In the role of associate dean, Spoon will also help lead and direct communications and event planning related to advancement, in support of the dean and the School’s team at the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association.
Spoon holds a BA in both journalism and anthropology from the University of Georgia, and a master’s degree from UW–Madison in journalism and science communication.
“I’m honored to join the School of Education and to support its transformational programs, research, and outreach that improve and enrich people’s lives,” says Spoon. “I look forward to collaborating within the School and across the university to build awareness of the great things happening at the School locally, nationally, and internationally.”
The Communications and Advancement team received support from longtime School of Education communications professional, Todd Finkelmeyer, who served as interim associate dean from January through July 2021. Finkelmeyer will resume his previous position of communications coordinator within the School in August.