Sharon Ayala is Abilene Christian University’s new vice president for marketing and a member of the senior leadership team.

Ayala joins ACU from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego where she worked for 13 years, most recently as associate vice president for marketing. She attended both Baylor University and Point Loma and holds a bachelor’s degree in writing from Point Loma and an honorary degree from Baylor University. 

“Sharon has an impressive background in marketing strategy, value modeling and attribution, brand management and communication. We’re looking forward to the energy, creativity and expertise Sharon will bring to our marketing efforts and team,” said Dr. Phil Schubert, president.

Ayala began her career in Washington, D.C., serving as a congressional page in the U.S. House of Representatives. She returned to her hometown of San Diego and to the Corky McMillin Companies, where she was the community’s initial point of contact for the burgeoning Liberty Station naval training center redevelopment project. She then led grant research and writing for The AjA Project, a small nonprofit that provides high-quality arts programming to youth in City Heights, one of the most diverse communities of refugees and immigrants in the country.

Blair Schroeder, chief planning officer, served as interim vice president for marketing and strategic communications for the past year. Schroeder will continue to provide leadership in strategic communications and public relations, with the title of chief strategy officer. 

“The marketing and strategic communications division accomplished a great deal during the last year, and I’m grateful for his willingness to serve in this important role in an interim capacity,” Schubert said. “Communications and public relations are both closely related to, and impact, his current work in government relations and strategic planning, so it’s a natural transition for him to stay involved in those areas.”

Ayala began work in her new role on June 26.

— Wendy Kilmer

June 29, 2023