Scott Anderson, the executive director, communications, marketing, and external relations, left the college on Jan. 24 to join Queen’s University.
Joining Algonquin in July of 2015, Anderson was responsible for the internal and external relations, primarily associated with the government, and marketing efforts for the college.
Anderson said he and his team have done a lot within his three and a half years on campus. He believes that they have improved the external communications with the media and “articulating key messages for the college” by discovering opportunities to deliver them.
“I’m going to miss the folks I work with on the executive team and within my office and the leadership team of the college,” Anderson told the Algonquin Times. “All caring, dynamic people who do want to see Algonquin succeed.”
The most difficult challenge during his time at Algonquin was the faculty strike that happened for about five weeks from October 2017 until November 2017. Everyone was stressed at the college and it was the department’s job to send out updates and follow the strike to inform those who were involved.
Anderson’s job at Queen’s will be similar to his role here at the college. His responsibility includes communications, marketing, donor relations, and events within the main office.
For students interested in journalism or public relations, Anderson encourages them to get out of their comfort zone.
“Follow your heart, follow your passions, try new things, be adventurous,” Anderson said. “Take advantage of the opportunities that put themselves in front of you.”
Anderson served as a senior advisor and communications director for the Prime Minister’s Office from January 2013 to July 2015, responsible for Government of Canada advertising and marketing. He was a part of numerous senior management roles such as vice president with Postmedia and former editor-in-chief of the Ottawa Citizen between 2000 and 2007.