Troy , N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute President Shirley Ann Jackson has named Jane Van Ryan, principal of VanRyanBanks Inc. of Reston, Va., as the Institute’s assistant vice president of communications.
 
Van Ryan will lead the Office of Communications (formerly the Office of Marketing and Media Relations), which includes media relations, marketing, presidential communications, and university events.

“Ms. Van Ryan is a veteran communications strategist with extensive experience in working with educators, science and engineering researchers, government officials, corporate executives, business leaders, and the media worldwide,” Jackson said. “She is an energetic, informed, and gifted advocate for research, education, and technology transfer. We welcome her immense enthusiasm, her strategic thinking, and her ability to work effectively in a dynamic and diverse organization.”

Immediately prior to founding her own company, Van Ryan served as vice president for public affairs at Science Applications International Corp. in McLean, Va. A Fortune 500 company, SAIC is the world’s largest employee-owned research and engineering firm.

Before joining SAIC, Van Ryan was assistant director of public relations for the American Petroleum Institute (API) in Washington, D.C. She joined API as a media relations representative in 1986.

Van Ryan began her career in communications as a television anchor and reporter with WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C., where she won the National Press Club Award and a presidential commendation for her reporting.

Van Ryan has considerable experience in strategic planning, marketing, change communications, crisis management, events planning, and government and community relations. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Hanover College and has completed the advanced management program at Duke University.

Van Ryan is a member of the National Press Club, American Women in Radio and Television, and the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. She was the founder of the Washington Area Regional Communications Coalition and is a former member of the board of directors of the Northern Virginia Technology Council.

Contact: Bruce Adams
Phone: (518) 276-6531
E-mail: N/A