California Lutheran University Expands Strategic Communications and Marketing Leadership

“Cal Lutheran is a special place where students develop the moral grounding and durable skills to step confidently into the economy of the future,” said Laureen Hill, M.D., MBA, chief strategy and growth officer. “Angela and Amanda are experienced marketing and communications professionals whose leadership and demonstrated expertise will effectively highlight Cal Lutheran’s academic excellence, faculty scholarship, student success and community impact.”

As the VP for strategic brand communications, Fentiman will provide leadership and direction for the university’s brand, marketing and communications efforts to increase the university’s visibility in the region and support enrollment and advancement growth. She will represent the university’s brand and communications strategy at community engagements and oversee the university’s communications response during crises, in coordination with senior leadership.

Savercool will work closely with Fentiman to lead and direct all marketing efforts related to enrollment, events and the university’s brand, and drive strategy around digital/social marketing functions. As a marketing expert, she will focus on institutional priorities, audience insights and long-term market positioning. Additionally, she will lead integrated marketing initiatives that support enrollment goals and strengthen institutional and audience brand engagement across all marketing channels.

A Cal Lutheran alum, Fentiman has served as the senior director of communications and development for the UCLA Teaching and Learning Center and associate director of executive communication for the university. She was an account director at Idea Hall in Costa Mesa and principal of Angela Fentiman Public Relations, where she provided strategic communications counsel to clients in the sustainability, transportation and cleantech industries. She has been an adjunct professor at Woodbury University and Cal Lutheran. She is also active in the community and a frequent conference speaker.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Cal Lutheran, Fentiman earned a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Northridge, and a doctorate in global leadership and change from Pepperdine University.

“It is truly an honor to come back to Cal Lutheran, especially at such a consequential time in higher education,” Fentiman said. “We have many opportunities to use storytelling and strategic communications to demonstrate the transformational value of pursuing an education here — by highlighting the work of our talented students, expanding the impact of our outstanding faculty and uplifting this exceptional community.”

Before joining Cal Lutheran, Savercool was the executive director of integrated marketing for UCLA Strategic Communications, where she led the university’s brand, digital, experiential and admissions marketing efforts. She also has served as director of social media at UCLA and built her career in editorial writing and public relations, working with enthusiast automotive publications and global automotive and lifestyle brands.

“What drew me to Cal Lutheran was the opportunity to join a university where collaboration as well as student success and purpose are deeply valued,” Savercool said. “Throughout the interview process, I was inspired by the people and by a leadership team that believes marketing plays a strategic role in advancing the university’s mission.” Savercool holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, and has completed executive leadership programs through the UCLA Anderson School of Management, including the Women’s Leadership Institute.