Mary Eilleen Lyon

Executive Director of University Communications & Public Relations 

Mary Eilleen Lyon joined Davenport as the executive director of University Communications & PR in 2023. As a member of the President’s Council, she serves as a strategic communications adviser to the president and senior leadership, providing counsel on executive communications, institutional messaging, public affairs and crisis management. She leads the university’s communications strategy to strengthen Davenport’s reputation, engage key audiences and advance the university’s mission. 

Lyon brings more than 20 years of experience in executive communications, strategic communications and crisis communication in higher education. Before joining Davenport, she served as associate vice president for University Communications at a large regional public university, where she led institution-wide communications strategy and executive messaging. Earlier in her career, she was an award-winning television journalist, anchoring and reporting at four network affiliates throughout the Midwest. 

Throughout her career, Lyon has specialized in helping organizations communicate with clarity during times of opportunity and change, building trust through transparent leadership communications, media relations and strategic storytelling.

Lyon earned a Master of Science in communication from Grand Valley State University and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism/broadcast news from the University of Georgia. She also holds a certificate in higher education leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education program, Management and Leadership in Education.