John McCarroll, executive director of University Relations at Iowa State, will retire from his position effective July 2. Jacy Johnson, director of advancement for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will succeed McCarroll as head of a revamped unit the next day.

McCarroll served in his position since 1997, before the majority of current students at Iowa State had even been born. During that time, he served under four university presidents and two interim presidents. He sits on the board of Iowa Public Radio (IPR) and began his career in radio and newspaper reporting in Iowa and Missouri, according to IPR’s website.

In the past, McCarroll and his wife have volunteered at Iowa’s largest non-profit animal shelter, the Animal Rescue League. The McCarrolls have adopted several cats from the shelter.

Johnson previously served as assistant director of communications and external relations in Iowa State Extension and Outreach. She received a master’s of business administration degree from Iowa State.

The revamped unit will be named the “office of strategic relations and communications” and will “bring together expertise and resources to develop a strategic, integrated approach to institutional communications, public relations and marketing,” according to a statement.

Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen appointed Johnson to serve as the interim executive director of the newly established office. Staff from University Relations and University Marketing will continue in their positions in the revamped unit.

In that role, “Johnson will oversee development of a new framework and vision for university-wide communications and marketing,” the statement said.