Augustana selects Irene Karedis Borys to serve as assistant vice president of marketing and brand communication

Augustana College announces the selection of Irene Karedis Borys to serve as the assistant vice president of marketing and brand communication. Borys, who most recently served as vice president of client experience and integrator for The Childress Agency, started at the college Aug. 19. 

Borys will lead the college’s Office of Communication and Marketing, a multi-talented team of 12 staff members who serve enrollment marketing, brand strategy, campus and alumni communications, media engagement and event management. 

As assistant vice president, Borys will oversee the planning, development and execution of the college’s marketing and brand initiatives with primary responsibility to shape the college’s brand and promotion strategy.

Borys said she is delighted to assume this role and work with such a skilled team.

“Together we will build on Augustana's bright achievements as we pursue Bold & Boundless,” she said. “I am confident in the match of values, energy and creativity to advance the bright futures of both our students and our Quad-Cities community."

Borys will report to Executive Vice President for Strategy, Innovation and Enrollment Kent Barnds, who notes that Borys brings more than 10 years of experience in marketing, project management, communication and relationship building.

“We’re thrilled to have Irene join Augustana in order to partner with staff and senior leadership to advance the college’s goals,” said Barnds. “Irene brings strong leadership and comprehensive marketing experience to an excellent team.”

Prior to joining The Childress Agency in November 2022, Borys served the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce and UnityPoint Health. Before coming to the Quad Cities, she held roles in marketing for more than six years after nearly four years in government relations in Washington, D.C.

Borys earned a master’s in national security affairs with a focus on public diplomacy and political warfare from the Institute of World Politics, Washington, D.C., and a bachelor’s in English and international relations and a minor in Spanish in 2006 from Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa.