Augustana College’s Office of Communications and Marketing brought on Irene Karedis Borys as its new Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Brand Communication just before the start of the 2024-2025 academic school year.
Borys will be overseeing a 12-member team working in the Communications and Marketing office.
Borys is the daughter of two immigrant parents and started her education journey at Pennsylvania State University as a first-generation college student. After college, she worked in Washington, D.C. doing government relations. She has also worked for UnityPoint Health, the Childress Agency, and the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce.
Being a first-generation college student, Borys has an appreciation for higher education and the role she will play on Augustana’s campus.
“In addition to being a child of immigrants, I am also the first one in my family to go to college,” said Borys. “Although my background has been in multi-client consulting in all different industries, I’m really excited to sink my teeth into making an impact in higher ed.”
“Bold and Boundless” is the new Augustana marketing strategy that Borys and her team will be working on as the school year starts up. Being “bold and boundless” is not something that fits one single mold, but is individual to each student coming to Augustana.
“What's unique about 'bold and boundless' is it's not a strategic plan that is a to-do list outlined by department-by-department,” said Borys. “It invites everyone to apply their own creativity to achieve engaged learning, and to achieve the best ways for Augustana as an institution to connect with the community.”
Although she is new to campus, Borys is excited to dive right in and join the Augustana Community.
“This is such a beautiful campus, and I look forward to getting to know it more and making more connections with faculty and staff and students as I get to know the rhythm of my role and how to make the best impact here, said Borys.