Teri L. Thompson

Vice President for Marketing and Media

Teri Thompson became Purdue's vice president for marketing and media in August 2008. She came to the University from Safeco Insurance in Seattle where she was vice president of marketing.

As vice president for marketing and media, Thompson oversees the communication of news and information about Purdue to both internal and external audiences in print, photo, video, and via a variety of Internet platforms. She also supervises the  branding and advertising of the University including the Purdue Web site and develops and maintains community partnerships. The marketing and media areas include the University News Service, Purdue Marketing Communications, University Periodicals, Community Relations, and Broadcast Services.

Prior to working at Safeco, Thompson served in a variety of marketing and public relations positions at State Farm Insurance from 1994 to 2006. From 1986 to 1994, Thompson was a faculty associate and English department chairperson at Illinois State University's University High School.

She earned her bachelor's degree in English and business in 1978 and a master's degree in education in 1987, both from Illinois State.

Thompson founded the Lucie Critical Thinking Award at Illinois State University, which is awarded annually to a student who possesses a passion for learning and strong critical thinking skills. She also is a co-founder and board member of the Marketing to Moms coalition, a resource for marketing professionals, and has spoken at national marketing and industry events as an expert on marketing to women and branding.

Thompson is a member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, Economic Club of Chicago, American Marketing Association, and Marketing Communications Executives International.