Luther College names new VP of Communications

Luther College has named a new vice president for communications and marketing.

Aimee Viniard-Weideman will succeed Rob Larson, who is returning to teaching at Luther.

Viniard-Weideman served the University of Minnesota Extension for nearly a decade as the assistant dean and director of communications and public relations, creating and establishing a successful brand platform, uniting more than 400 diverse programs and 800 statewide employees under one Extension brand aligned with the University.

In 2015, she was promoted to the assistant dean and director of strategic communications and organizational development for the University of Minnesota Extension. In that senior leadership position, she worked with statewide Extension boards and University of Minnesota leaders, leading organizational change initiatives and external relations programs.

Prior to her time in higher education, Viniard-Weideman worked in public relations within the medical community for Franciscan Skemp Healthcare as part of the Mayo Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin; St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; and Trinity Regional Hospital in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She also held news reporting and photography positions for "The Messenger" in Fort Dodge.

Viniard-Weideman received her bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication, and sociology from the University of Iowa and her master's in human development from St. Mary's University in Minneapolis.

The vice president for communications and marketing develops programs to enhance and promote the image of Luther College, and communicate Luther's key messages with primary audiences. Reporting directly to the president, Viniard-Weideman will work closely with the other lead members of administration.