Jennifer McCarrel

Jennifer McCarrel brings over 15 years of strategic communications and integrated marketing expertise to UNC Pembroke. She joined UNCP in 2023, after serving as Executive Director of Marketing & Communication at Eastern Virginia Medical School and holding leadership roles in Virginia’s public-school systems.

A seasoned leader in the public sector and higher education and an award-winning writer, McCarrel has built a strong reputation in crisis communications, brand development, media relations, digital and social engagement and storytelling. She is known for crafting and implementing coordinated strategic enrollment plans and launching digital engagement tools to elevate institutional visibility and impact.

McCarrel began her career as a reporter in Petersburg, VA, later transitioning to roles such as public relations coordinator for Virginia Beach and Norfolk public schools. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Old Dominion University and a Master of Arts in Strategic Communications from Regent University. McCarrel is Accredited in Public Relations (APR).

A native of Brevard, NC, McCarrel and her husband Jesse are proud parents of three sons: Elijah, Connor, and Lincoln.

In her current role, McCarrel serves on the UNCP Cabinet and oversees all aspects of marketing, public relations, publications and the Givens Performing Arts Center. She leads UNCP’s Communications & Marketing team with a focus on amplifying the university’s unique narrative, deepening its connection to the Lumbee Tribe and enhancing its role as an economic and educational force in southeastern North Carolina.