Jim Zook

Jim Zook serves as chief marketing and communications officer. In that capacity, he oversees our university-wide efforts in media relations, digital content, marketing and brand strategy, graphic design services, web design services, and printing services.

Zook brought to UM more than 25 years of experience in a career spanning corporate communications, consulting, and media. Prior to joining the university, Zook served for nine years in various communications leadership roles for the professional services firm Deloitte, including as head of communications in the U.S. for the Big Four auditor Deloitte & Touche and crisis communications leader.

Before joining Deloitte, Zook served communications and change management clients for the global consulting firm Mercer, and in a range of marketing roles for BellSouth. In addition, he served as a speechwriter in the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Education, and as a reporter for The Chronicle of Higher Education, the Houston Chronicle and The Dallas Morning News.

Zook is a 1987 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science. He also received a master's degree in American studies from the University of Sussex in England in 1989, and a Master of Business Administration from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin in 2001. Zook and his wife, Frances, have two sons, Jack and Will.