On January 15, President Safa Zaki announced Senior Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs Martin Mbugua would be departing from the College at the end of February for personal and familial reasons.

Reflecting on his time at the College, Mbugua shared he valued Bowdoin’s strong sense of community and dedication to excellence.

“What stood out to me about Bowdoin was the strength of the community and the care people bring to their work with one another. There is a clear, collective commitment to excellence and a strong sense of shared responsibility that defines campus life,” Mbugua wrote in an email to the Orient. “Although my time at the College was shorter than I originally planned, I appreciate the opportunity to have served alongside many dedicated colleagues at an institution devoted to the common good.”

Mbugua began his position last summer. Prior to his time at the College, he served as the associate vice chancellor at New York University Abu Dhabi. This experience was preceded by communications and media relations positions at Skidmore College, Carnegie Mellon University and Princeton University.

“That background and global perspective informed his approach to the role,” Zaki wrote in a community message published on Bowdoin News. “Working collaboratively with colleagues across the College, Martin’s contributions include important work that strengthens our communications and public affairs efforts and advances new approaches to sharing Bowdoin’s story within our community and beyond.”

On March 1, Senior Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs Emeritus Scott Hood will return to the role in the interim period as the College launches a national search to fill Mbugua’s role. Following 36 years of service to the College before his retirement last year, Zaki wrote that Hood’s role will provide continuity during the transition.