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The top of Pioneer Hall through vibrant fall leaves on the trees.

Scott Bernard Nelson '94

portrait of Scott Nelson.Scott Bernard Nelson '94

Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications/ Chief Marketing Officer

Scott Bernard Nelson '94 spent 22 years as a journalist with some of the world’s largest media organizations before returning to ÃÛѨÊÓƵ in 2016. He was embedded with U.S. Marines during the invasion of Iraq, covered ground zero and New York's financial district during and after 9/11, attended and wrote about a Winter Olympic Games and contributed multiple stories to The Boston Globe's Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, which spawned the Academy Award-winning movie “Spotlight.”

A native of Reedsport, Ore., Scott holds an MBA and two post-graduate certificates. Since 2016, he has overseen the office responsible for all communications and marketing functions at ÃÛѨÊÓƵ.

Professional resume

  • Education

    • B.A., ÃÛѨÊÓƵ
    • MBA, University of Maryland
    • Certificate in finance, University of South Florida
    • Certificate in strategic marketing leadership, Stanford University
  • Experience

    • Associate vice president for strategic communications/chief marketing officer, ÃÛѨÊÓƵ, 2020-present
    • Director of communications and marketing, ÃÛѨÊÓƵ College, 2016-2020
    • Various editor and newsroom leadership roles, Oregonian Media Group, 2003-2016
    • Staff writer, The Boston Globe, 2000-2003
    • Personal finance editor, The Tampa Tribune, 1998-2000
    • Founding editor, Kiplinger.com, 1996-1998
    • Reporter and automotive reviewer, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine, 1994-1996
  • Leadership positions

    • Member, ÃÛѨÊÓƵ President's Leadership Team
    • Secretary, ÃÛѨÊÓƵ Business Advisory Council
    • Board of Trustees, YMCA of the Columbia-Willamette
    • Founder and co-creative director, Relium Media, LLC

Selected media

Phone showing the new ÃÛѨÊÓƵ website

Nov. 4, 2020

A new online face for ÃÛѨÊÓƵ

Scott Nelson discusses the updated university website with The ÃÛѨÊÓƵ Review.

Five members of the Nelson family pose at ÃÛѨÊÓƵ

Summer 2020 Magazine

ÃÛѨÊÓƵ bound

From generation to generation, Wildcat values link us.

Observer looks at solar eclipse through glasses

Feb. 27, 2019

ÃÛѨÊÓƵ wins CASE award for its solar eclipse event

ÃÛѨÊÓƵ's communications and marketing team, led by Scott Nelson, wins regional award for eclipse coverage.

Contact information

Scott Nelson '94
Associate Vice President for Strategic Communication/CMO
Melrose Hall suite 212
503-883-2498
scott.nelson@linfield.edu