Smeal College of Business

Stuart Shapiro starts tenure as Penn State Smeal’s chief marketing officer

Stuart Shapiro brings nearly two decades of experience across integrated marketing communications, brand strategy and audience development to his new role as the chief marketing officer for the Penn State Smeal College of Business. Credit: Photo by Laura March. All Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Corey Phelps, John and Karen Arnold Dean of the Penn State Smeal College of Business, has named Stuart Shapiro as the college’s new chief marketing officer.

Shapiro brings nearly two decades of experience across integrated marketing communications, brand strategy and audience development. His expertise spans diverse sectors, including agency, nonprofit, higher education and public media.

Before joining Smeal, Shapiro was the senior director of branding and audience development at WAMU 88.5 FM, an NPR station in Washington, D.C., where he led branding, marketing and public relations for the region’s top radio station.

“We are excited to welcome Stuart to the college,” Phelps said. “He will lead the college’s marketing and communications team, serve on the Smeal leadership team, and drive the development and execution of strategies to enhance our brand, performance marketing and communications efforts. His leadership will play an essential role in elevating Smeal’s reputation, while supporting initiatives in enrollment management, engagement and fundraising.”

Shapiro holds an MBA in marketing and entrepreneurship from Smeal and a bachelor of fine arts in film production and psychology from New York University. He also has completed the Leadership Academy at Duke University.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be here at my alma mater. This feels like a true homecoming, returning to the institution that has shaped both my career and skills as a marketer. I'm excited to give back to Smeal in a meaningful way,” Shapiro said.

“Between Dean Phelps’ leadership and the Imagine Smeal 2030 initiative, this is exactly the kind of moment where marketing and communications can make a lasting impact. I can’t wait to start.”

Prior to WAMU, Shapiro was executive director of marketing and communications at Duke. He directed strategic communications, supported efforts to help raise the first $250 million in a more expansive science and technology fundraising campaign, and led alumni and donor engagement initiatives.

“Smeal has all the ingredients for a breakout moment. The school has been punching above its weight for years, but that excellence hasn't fully translated into market recognition. That’s the ideal scenario for strategic communications: authentic stories just waiting to be told rather than having to manufacture differentiation,” he said.

“Higher education is facing some big challenges, and I’m excited to work with Smeal and the entire Penn State community on solving them together.”

Shapiro began his tenure at Smeal on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Last Updated August 28, 2025

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