OREM, Utah — After an extensive search, Utah Valley University President Astrid S. Tuminez announced Monday that Kara Schneck has been named the new chief of staff for the Office of the President, effective March 31, 2020.
“Kara has shown throughout her career that she is an innovative, fearless, and strategic leader,” President Tuminez said. “She will be a wonderful addition to UVU’s senior leadership team. Her deep curiosity, proven competencies, and passion for higher education will help move UVU to the next level of impact and relevance.”
Schneck has spent more than 20 years at Nu Skin Enterprises in a variety of communications leadership roles. She served as vice president of global corporate communications and prior to that held positions that included head of global corporate communications, senior director of marketing communications, and media relations manager/director. In the past two years, Schneck has built a referral-based consulting practice, serving as senior advisor and brand and communications strategist.
Among Schneck’s accomplishments at Nu Skin, she was the architect of the company’s global reputation management strategy, led research and development of its global corporate narrative, oversaw the organic growth of its Facebook presence to more than a million followers with industry-leading engagement levels, and led the creation of a first-to-market crisis app that provided international executives and communicators with up-to-the-minute standby statements and protocols.
“I’m thrilled to be working with President Tuminez and the entire UVU team in supporting the university’s mission and long-term vision of student success,” Schneck said. “It’s an honor to be part of an innovative university that is not only transforming higher education and the Utah community, but most importantly, transforming lives with an inclusive and dynamic environment that inspires individuals to reach their full potential.”
Schneck received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She served a nine-year term on the Utah Valley University Foundation Board, and she is also a member of the UVU Women’s Success Center Advisory Board. She lives in Utah County with her husband and three daughters, two of whom are UVU students.
