After an extensive nationwide search, Karla Leeper, PhD, MBA, MA, a highly accomplished communicator with decades of leadership experience in higher education and health care, has been named the new vice chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She will join the university July 7.

Leeper has served since 2022 as the vice chancellor for Strategic Communication and Public Affairs at the University of Kansas (KU), where she is on the Chancellor’s Executive Cabinet and is the executive leader for marketing, communications, and media relations for the university’s six locations across the state.

Throughout her career, she has held high-level executive positions with significant responsibility in communications and academic health care.

She previously held the position of executive vice president for Operations at Augusta University/Augusta University Health, overseeing the Divisions of Marketing and Communication, Auxiliary Services, Facilities, and Human Resources. She also served as the executive vice president for Strategic Communication and Chief Marketing Officer for Augusta University/Augusta University Health System, executive vice president for University Relations, and chief of staff to the president and CEO of Augusta University (formerly Georgia Regents University/Georgia Regents Health System). Additionally, she was the vice president of Executive Affairs and chief of staff to the president of Baylor University.

Leeper, who holds a PhD in communication studies from KU and an MBA from Augusta University, also has distinguished academic experience as the Glenn R. Capp Endowed Professor and chair of the Department of Communication Studies at Baylor University.

Leeper will lead strategic initiatives, including developing and implementing a comprehensive marketing and communications plan to amplify UT Health Science Center’s vision, missions, and impact across Tennessee, fostering collaboration with academic and clinical leaders to strengthen partnerships and enhance the visibility of programs and research initiatives, and engaging with communities statewide.

Leeper has also partnered closely with campus fundraisers to develop communications strategies for successful philanthropic campaigns in several of her previous roles.

She said multiple factors, including Chancellor Buckley’s outstanding leadership, attracted her to the university. She cited, “the team he's put together, the vision that they have, and the mission of the institution.”