Molly Polk

Education

MA, Villanova University

BA, Niagara University

Molly Polk joined the University in August 2017 as vice president for marketing communication. In this role, Molly oversees all aspects of recruitment and advancement marketing, media relations, crisis communication, multimedia and digital strategy, and editorial and creative services. Named Chief of Staff in 2025, she also leads the development, refinement, and implementation of UHart’s strategic priorities, initiatives, and special projects. A trusted campus resource and key advisor to the president and board, she takes pride in driving operational efficiency and effectiveness toward excellence.

During her tenure at UHart, Molly led the University’s enrollment strategy and operations, including admission and financial aid teams, from 2021–2025. Together with her team, points of achievement at UHart include the centralization of marketing communication and enrollment strategy and support across campus; the successful redesign and launch of hartford.edu and a refreshed brand identity; the creation of H Magazine; and in Fall of 2023, recruiting the largest entering class since 2017.

Molly joined UHart from Carthage College, where she led a successful rebranding effort and the launch of an award-winning institutional website as vice president for communication. She developed the first strategic advertising campaign and marketing report, a comprehensive crisis communication plan, and launched a refreshed athletic identity. Prior to joining Carthage, she was the director of client marketing services at Ithaca College, where she managed the development and execution of marketing strategies for five academic schools, athletic communications, and administrative units across campus.

Molly began her career in hospitality, an industry she credits for her focus on providing high standards of customer service on campus. She previously worked in marketing communications for Park Hyatt Hotels and the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. In these roles, she oversaw strategic communications efforts in the areas of advertising, asset management, partnerships, brand awareness, media relations, and market research.

Molly is active in higher education circles, presenting at national conferences including Simpson Scarborough’s CMO Lab, the American Marketing Association’s Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education, and conferences for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).