Cindy Brya has been appointed assistant dean for communications and marketing. In her new role, she will lead the iSchool's Communications and Marketing team, provide counsel to the dean, and shape the overall communications strategy.
Brya has more than 30 years of experience in communications and marketing at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and has been a member of the iSchool's Communications and Marketing team since 2016. Prior to her appointment as the assistant dean, she served as director of communications and content strategy. In these roles, she has led initiatives in strategic planning, branding, content development, and media relations.
Prior to the School, she served as coordinator of alumni relations and development for the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Illinois. In addition to advancement, she was responsible for communications, student affairs, and recruitment. Brya holds bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from the University of Missouri and Illinois, respectively.
Outside of work, Brya enjoys reading, spending time with family, trying new recipes, and volunteering, especially bottle-feeding baby goats at Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery during kidding season.
"It is a privilege to share the accomplishments of our iSchool community—our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and donors," she said. "I look forward to working closely with the Dean's Cabinet to continue supporting our mission and our reputation of excellence in academics, research, and innovation."