Stephanie Aaronson

As Deputy Vice President for University Branding team, Ms. Aaronson oversees the internal and external integrated communications, digital, content and distribution strategies – in collaboration with the University’s colleges, centers and institutes – to advance Mason’s story of growth, innovation, and impact. In addition, Ms. Aaronson is responsible for curating and creating high quality original and shared content for new and existing channels, and she serves as the number two to the Chief Brand Officer.

Before joining Mason, Ms. Aaronson was Senior Vice President, Engagement, at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), where she led system-wide multiplatform content and engagement initiatives, and partnerships with business, schools, community partners, national leaders, and influencers, to enhance the impact of public media in building a strong civil society. Ms. Aaronson was also responsible for the strategic planning and management of public media’s largest collaboration, the “American Graduate,” initiative, which helped communities work together to improve the national high school graduation rate and youth access college and career programs. “American Graduate” was rolled out in 49 states with over 150 local media stations and 1800 local and national partnerships, resulting in over 2000 hours of broadcast and digital content and over $22 million in local philanthropic support. Ms. Aaronson joined CPB in 2012 as Vice President, Education and Community Impact.

Prior to CPB, she was Senior Director, Communications and Marketing, at PBS and PBS KIDS, overseeing corporate and crisis communications, media relations, program information, events, and viewers services. She also on the senior corporate strategy and operations leadership teams, and developed the PBS’ “Healthy Communities” initiative.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Aaronson held programming, production, communications and public affairs, business development and marketing positions at Citizen Jane Politics, Hallmark Channel, Lifetime Television, Discovery Communications (including Animal Planet and TLC), Rutledge Broadcasting/Court TV, and National Empowerment Television. She also served as co-chair the NIH Director's Council of Public Representatives Federal Advisory Board.  

A native of Washington, D.C., Ms. Aaronson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a certificate in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from George Mason University, and studied politics at Georgetown University and non-profit strategic communications at American University.