Molly Polk

Education

MA, Villanova University

BA, Niagara University

Molly Polk joined the University in August 2017. As the Vice President for Marketing and Enrollment she is responsible for the strategy, execution, and evaluation of marketing communications, admission, and financial aid at the University of Hartford. Leading a team of more than 50 professionals, she oversees all aspects of admission and financial aid, recruitment and advancement marketing, media relations, crisis communication, multimedia and digital strategy, and editorial and creative services. Together with her team, points of pride at UHart include the centralization of marketing communication and enrollment support across campus; the successful redesign of hartford.edu and a refreshed brand identity; creating and launching 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 the American Marketing Association’s Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education and the District V Conference for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).