A marketing communications professional with 30 years of editorial experience, I spent 25 years at the University of Chicago, rising to Assistant Vice President of Creative Communications and later Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations & Development Communications. During my tenure, I rebuilt the communications teams within the Graduate School of Business, University Communications, and Alumni Relations & Development, elevating creative production across the university and setting a new standard for in-house creative teams. I led the development of the University of Chicago’s graphic identity and messaging, and produced the first brand guidelines in the university’s history. An award-winning feature writer before joining UChicago, I defined the distinctive voice of the University of Chicago through my own writing and by guiding others across the institution. I left the university in March 2016 and the following month established Colleen Newquist, Inc.
I'm lucky to have established many fruitful partnerships, including with master higher ed strategist Julie Peterson and my longtime design partner, Grant Schexnider. Together Grant and I created work with lasting impact at the University of Chicago, setting a new standard in higher education and helping achieve record-breaking enrollments in the undergraduate college. A few examples of our work:
The University of Chicago College viewbook