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Melanie Marquez Parra, who as chief spokesperson was instrumental in leading the campus’s strategic communications during the COVID-19 pandemic, has accepted a new leadership role with the National Association for College Admission Counseling in Arlington, Virginia.

Candace Smith, associate vice chancellor for strategic communications in Strategic Relations and Communications, said a search for Parra’s successor would begin immediately.

Parra, who joined CU Boulder in 2019 as an assistant director of communications and spokesperson, has “modeled grace under pressure” during a once-in-a-generation pandemic, Smith said.

“We have come to rely on her calm demeanor to lead us through the twists, turns and unforeseen challenges of the past year and a half. Through it all, Melanie has displayed poise and quiet leadership admired by all who have known her and worked with her,” Smith added. “We are sad to see her go, but excited for her as she begins a new professional chapter in her life.”

In the interim, Joshua Lindenstein, a CU Boulder alumnus and assistant director of communications and spokesperson, will serve as the campus’s chief spokesperson effective Nov. 1. Previously a reporter and editor for the Boulder Daily Camera and BizWest, Lindenstein joined CU Boulder in 2017 as communications coordinator for infrastructure and sustainability and was promoted to his current position in January 2020.

As interim chief spokesperson, Lindenstien will lead the SRC Issues Management team, which responds to local and national media inquiries, provides guidance to campus leaders, faculty and staff during crises, and manages VIP visits, Colorado Buffaloes games and other major campus events.

Starting Jan. 4, Parra will step into the role of inaugural , which is dedicated to providing professionals who work in college admission counseling with education, advocacy and community.

Parra expressed thanks to Smith and Senior Associate Vice Chancellor Jon Leslie for their support and for “providing the space to learn and grow as a leader.”

“I wouldn’t have made it through the pandemic communications whirlwind without caring and dedicated colleagues,” she added. “I will treasure my experience working for CU Boulder, mostly because of the relationships I formed with the people I worked with.” 

Both Parra and Lindenstein have served in the campus’s Joint Information Center (JIC) during the pandemic, working with both SRC and campus communicators to ensure consistent and timely communications for students, faculty and staff about COVID-19 protocols and other campuswide issues.

They also helped lead campus communications through other crises over the past year and a half, including the campus’s response in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, a deadly mass shooting at a Boulder King Soopers, and a University Hill riot involving CU Boulder students and others.