UH VP of External Affairs and University Relations to Join Stanford University

Costello to Lead Stanford School of Medicine Communications Efforts

University of Hawaiʻi
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Posted: Dec 1, 2003

University of Hawai'i Vice President for External Affairs and University Relations (EAUR) Paul Costello has been named chief of communications and public affairs at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Costello will join Stanford in early January 2004.

"Paul has repeatedly proven himself to be a tremendous asset and I feel very fortunate that UH has had his talents for the past two years," said UH President Evan Dobelle. "He has built a solid communications foundation for the university and opened up many new opportunities. Paul will truly be a credit to Stanford‘s Medical School and I wish him much success."

Costello oversees all marketing, media, and legislative efforts for the UH system. During his tenure, Costello focused on increasing communications between the university and the community as well as establishing stronger ties with the media. He developed two weekly broadcast television programs: UH This Week, hosted by Drake Beil, that airs on KHNL and features UH faculty, programs, and visiting dignitaries discussing their work and One on One, which airs on PBS Hawai'i and features distinguished authors, actors, and scholars who are visiting Hawai'i as guest speakers for the university and other organizations. Costello also hosts a weekly live call-in radio program called UH Today on KKEA, featuring experts and guests from throughout the UH system.

"I want to thank President Dobelle and the Board of Regents for giving me the honor to serve at UH," Costello said. "I am proud of my tenure at the university and hope that I have made a difference in communicating the excellence that abounds throughout the UH system."


"Paul has been extremely effective at opening up the university and showing the community that we have some amazing programs and some unbelievably talented people doing ground-breaking research," said Associate Vice President of External Affairs and University Relations, Carolyn Tanaka. "And on a personal note, he is a true professional and a pleasure to work with — he will certainly be missed."

Before joining UH in December 2001, Costello was managing director of the New York office of Weber Shandwick, the world's largest public relations agency. He provided senior communications counsel to a wide range of corporate and non-profit clients. He was previously vice president for corporate affairs for Home Box Office.

In addition to his corporate experience, Costello brought to the university a strong background in public affairs. His public sector posts include press spokesperson to First Lady Rosalynn Carter and presidential candidate spouse Kitty Dukakis, director of communications for former Washington, D.C., Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly and press secretary to former Ohio Governor Richard Celeste. Costello holds a BA in communications from Southern Illinois University and MSW from the University of Illinois.

An acting vice president of EAUR will be appointed upon Costello‘s departure. At the January Board of Regents meeting Dobelle will recommend an interim vice president. It is expected that a search will begin in the spring for a permanent replacement.