The College of Arts and Sciences is delighted to announce Julie Keith as its new Communications Director. Julie brings considerable breadth, maturity, experience, and skill to this position.

"We are most fortunate to be able to add her to our leadership team. I am confident that in her role she will dramatically improve the visibility of the College while strengthening both internal and external communications," said Dean Robert Palazzo. Keith will join the college the first week of February.

Julie Keith has spent the past 20 years in communications, specifically in magazine publishing. After receiving her BA and MA in English from Auburn University, she began her magazine career at Symbol of Excellence Publishers, now Hoffman Media. Her work on magazines such as McCall's Needlework, McCall's Quilting, and as the editor of Alabama Magazine, established her presence in city/regional publishing. She left Alabama magazine in 1997 to serve as the managing editor of the Meredith Corporation Better Homes and Gardens Crafts Group. Subsequently, Julie led the fledgling Portico magazine, as managing editor and then as editor, to a Gold Addy award from Folio as best regional magazine in the nation. She spent five years with Portico, helping establish it as a high-quality editorial product with a devoted readership. While at Portico Julie helped launch its digital and events strategy.

In 2007 Julie left Portico to return to statewide publishing with Thicket, a new magazine designed to speak to a sophisticated, passionate statewide readership. As an owner and editor-in-chief, Julie shaped not only Thicket's print voice, but also its digital footprint, including a website, an e-newsletter and a strong social media presence. After two years at Thicket, she took the helm of Birmingham Magazine, shepherding the title through multiple owners, corporate cultures and staff changes. Julie retained the value of the Birmingham Magazine brand while reaching new readers and winning a national award for best redesign from the City and Regional Magazine Association. Julie and her team also helped solidify Birmingham's event schedule, large social media and e-newsletter communities and affiliated brands.

Julie and her husband Todd have two sons. She is on the advisory committee for the Auburn Alumni Magazine, the board of the Homewood City Schools Foundation and serves the YWCA as a regular volunteer. She and her family live in Homewood.