Teri Lucie 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 the University's chief marketing officer, 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 External Relations, including the University News Service and Visitor’s Information Center, Brand and Advertising, Online Experience and Emerging Technology, Creative Services, Strategic Marketing and Market Research, and the Office of Publications.

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 has established a similar award at Purdue, the Lucie Critical Thinking Scholarship, available to students in the College of Liberal Arts. 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 Economic Club of Chicago, American Marketing Association, and Marketing Communications Executives International.