As Senior Vice President for External Affairs, Michael Armini leads Northeastern’s central marketing and communications teams, as well as city, state, and federal government relations. During his tenure, third-party assessments of the university’s brand have increased dramatically, and the university’s engagement with key government stakeholders has expanded and deepened. Units within External Affairs have won numerous national and international awards during his tenure.
Referring to Northeastern as a “knowledge brand,” Armini has placed particular emphasis on promoting the university’s research enterprise and the thought leadership of its faculty. Armini also plays a central role in crisis management and serves as an advisor to the president on a range of internal and external issues.
Prior to joining Northeastern in October 2008, Armini spent 10 years in senior positions at Harvard University, most notably as assistant dean for communications at Harvard Law School. In that role, he worked closely with then-dean Elena Kagan, now an associate justice of the Supreme Court.
He began his career in the political arena, serving as the chief spokesperson for elected officials and candidates on Capitol Hill and Beacon Hill. He is a veteran of five political campaigns, including those for U.S. Congress and governor of Massachusetts. He also worked as a corporate communications specialist for a Boston-based public relations firm.
Armini has lectured on nonprofit brand strategy at several universities, and at conferences around the U.S. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Massachusetts and a master’s degree in communications from Emerson College.
He is married to Massachusetts State Representative Jenny Armini. The couple have two children.