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Wiedemann named assistant dean for strategic communications and marketing

UNC School of Social Work welcomed Barbara Wiedemann as the new assistant dean for strategic communications and marketing in September 2022. Wiedemann, a former communications strategist for UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, fills a new role that reflects the School’s growing national profile and the increased need for an integrated and comprehensive approach to communications and marketing, announced Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson.

Prior to joining the Hussman School in 2018, Wiedemann directed Carolina’s in-house design team (now UNC Creative). Her service to the state also includes several roles with the North Carolina Museum of Art, where she worked for three years as head graphic designer and then later as publications director. During her tenure there, Wiedemann worked with Pentagram design consultancy to rebrand the museum and served as managing curator of a blockbuster design exhibition.

A first-generation college graduate, Wiedemann is a long-time advocate for public higher education and its role in supporting a better future for the state of North Carolina and the nation. She has proudly served in an adjunct faculty role at Carolina, N.C. State University and Meredith College.

“Barbara has built a deep understanding of the academic mission at Carolina,” Denby-Brinson said in her announcement of Wiedemann’s appointment. “Her strategic communications, marketing and design expertise will help us build communication initiatives, campaigns and programs that most effectively promote the School of Social Work’s mission and values.

“We look forward to having Barbara on board to lead strategy and execution across our internal and external communications, build our media relations and digital communications strategy, and drive how we share the school’s growing community impact.”

Wiedemann said she is proud to join one of the nation’s premier schools of social work.

“The dedicated student-practitioners and graduates of the UNC School of Social Work are on the front lines every day, responding to the challenges of our time from an equitable, compassionate, evidence-based position,” she said. “And the School’s researchers diligently put data to work in the service of some of society’s thorniest problems. I’m honored to have the opportunity to work alongside Dean Denby-Brinson as part of her leadership team in building upon the strengths of the School in service to the state, nation and globe.”

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Penn State University, Wiedemann received her master’s degree from N.C. State University. She was the first winner of the Pentagram Prize, a global design essay competition. Her work has been recognized with a national Telly Award and by the American Association of Museums and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Wiedemann served on the N.C. State College of Design board for nearly a decade, including three years as co-chair of the leadership council. In 2004, she founded a nonprofit organization, The Dave Brumitt Foundation for Gastric and Esophageal Cancer, and oversaw seven annual winter fundraising “century” bike rides for that organization. Wiedemann recently completed two years of service on the University Development Office’s diversity committee.