Jennifer McCarrel
- Email:jennifer.mccarrel@uncp.edu
- Phone:910.521.6863
- Office:Lumbee Hall
Jennifer McCarrel, APR, is vice chancellor for University Communications and Marketing at UNC Pembroke, where she serves on the chancellor's cabinet and leads the university's integrated communications, marketing and brand strategy efforts. She oversees public relations, media relations, crisis communications, enrollment marketing, digital and social media, publications, web communications and the Givens Performing Arts Center
With more than 18 years of experience in strategic communications and marketing, McCarrel has built a career helping public institutions strengthen their reputation, tell compelling stories and connect with the audiences they serve. Her expertise includes brand development, crisis management, strategic enrollment marketing, media relations and digital engagement.
Since joining UNC Pembroke in 2023, McCarrel has led initiatives to strengthen the university's visibility, elevate its brand and support enrollment growth through data-informed marketing and communications strategies. Her work focuses on aligning storytelling, recruitment marketing and institutional messaging to showcase the university's impact across southeastern North Carolina and beyond.
Prior to UNC Pembroke, McCarrel served as executive director of marketing and communication at Eastern Virginia Medical School and held leadership communications roles within Virginia's public school systems. She began her career as a newspaper reporter and also taught middle school English.
An award-winning communicator and writer, McCarrel holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Old Dominion University, a Master of Arts in strategic communication from Regent University and the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) credential.
A native of Brevard, North Carolina, she and her husband, Jesse, are the proud parents of three sons: Elijah, Connor and Lincoln.