Executive Vice President for Communications and External Relations Ira Jackson has left the University, according to a Dec. 20 email that University President Ron Liebowitz sent to the Brandeis community. His role has been filled by William Walker, interim vice president for Communications, who will not be a candidate in the search for Jackson’s replacement. Walker has previously worked at Dartmouth College, Rutgers University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Jackson was hired in April 2017 and previously held multiple positions in academia and government, according to an April 25, 2017 Justice article. In an April 25, 2017 BrandeisNOW article, Liebowitz stated that Jackson “brings a wonderful combination of skills, ideas, and relevant experience to Brandeis,” and went on to say that Jackson’s “ability to communicate and to … implement new approaches will be useful as Brandeis embarks upon a period of renewal and transformation.”

According to the same BrandeisNOW article, Jackson said that “Brandeis’ commitment to social justice and to research that matters for society totally aligns with my values and life’s work.” He described the University as “the right place at the right time” for him.

Jackson’s position, executive vice president for Communications and External Relations, will be split into two positions, Liebowitz explained in his recent email. These positions will be senior vice president of Communications and vice president for External Relations. 

The specific duties of these new positions, however, are unclear at the moment. In an email to the Justice, Director of Media Relations Julie Jette wrote that Liebowitz is “in the process of finalizing the structure for the leadership of communications, marketing and external relations.” 

Jackson’s last day at the University was Dec. 31, 2018, and Walker started his position on Jan. 14.