PHILADELPHIA -- University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann announced today that Stephen J. MacCarthy, vice president for external relations at the University of Arizona, will become the University of Pennsylvania’s vice president for university communications.  He will assume his new position on Aug. 29, 2011.

As vice president, MacCarthy will have overall responsibility for communicating Penn’s goals and achievements to internal and external audiences in Philadelphia, across the country, and around the world.

“Steve is a strategic communications leader who brings a wealth of experience to the position,” Gutmann said. “He has a deep and extensive understanding of higher education, an appreciation of Penn’s aspirations and needs and a fresh perspective on the use of both traditional and new communications methods and media. He will be a wonderful addition to our leadership team, and I look forward to working closely with him in the months and years ahead.”

Prior to joining the University of Arizona in 2007, MacCarthy was vice president for university relations at Pennsylvania State University. Prior to that, he was director of public affairs and university relations for the California State University system.

MacCarthy earned a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University in 1977.