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AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW OFFICE OF

External Affairs & Communications Office

The Office of Communications and External Affairs develops and coordinates all advertising, marketing, publications, social media, media relations, web development, and electronic communications on behalf of Ave Maria School of Law to ensure accuracy, consistency, and quality in accordance with the school’s marketing and communications guidelines and objectives to portray a consistent brand image.

The Office of Communications and External Affairs welcomes the opportunity to assist and support faculty and staff in generating publicity, advertising, and promotional plans for their programs, events, achievements, projects, and more. To request a project, email us at communications@avemarialaw.edu.

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“In the communications media, the Church finds a precious aid for spreading the Gospel and religious values, for promoting dialogue, ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation, and also for defending those solid principles which are indispensable for building a society which respects the dignity of the human person and is attentive to the common good.”

APOSTOLIC LETTER, THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT, OF THE HOLY FATHER. JOHN PAUL II,
TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMMUNICATIONS: 24 January 2005

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The
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Elizabeth Westhoff

Associate Dean of Communications and External Affairs

239-687-5404
communications@avemarialaw.edu

Associate Dean of Communications and External Affairs, Elizabeth Westhoff is a strategic marketing and communications executive who has served the Church for over 20 years. She is passionate about creating strong brands that communicate key messages, help inspire confidence, and take organizations to a new level. Known for her ability to craft effective messaging that resonates with both Catholic and secular audiences, Elizabeth has built brand recognition across Catholic and secular media, both nationally and internationally.

Dean Westhoff joined Ave Maria School of Law in 2020. Collaborating with various departments and faculty members, she works to promote the law school’s mission as a Catholic, conservative, competitive school of law that is founded in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Prior to her arrival at Ave Maria Law, Dean Westhoff served as Press Secretary to His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke.

Dean Westhoff is the recipient of the Catholic Press Association Awards: First Place, Best coverage of the Year of Mercy, the Catholic Press Association Award: First Place, Best newspaper story and photo package, the Catholic Press Association Award: Honorable Mention, Best in-depth news/special reporting in a diocesan newspaper, the Catholic Academy of Communications Professionals: Gabriel Award for New Media Campaign of the Year, Hermes Creative Award for Video Production: Gold Winner and Honorable Mention, Winner: International Catholic Stewardship Conference Award of Excellence, the Archdiocese of St. Louis Women’s Visionary Award, the St. Louis Business Journal’s Thirty Under 30 Award, former President and Vice-President of the National Communications and Development Section for Catholic Charities USA, host of several long-running Catholic radio shows on EWTN affiliate stations, a contributing author and speaker for Women In the New Evangelization, she was a regular on-air contributor to the St. Louis NBC television affiliate, a regular guest and guest host on various Catholic radio networks, M.C. and speaker for various Catholic and secular organizations, and serves as a judge for the Catholic Media Awards in the areas of video production, social media campaigns, radio production, and blog production. She currently serves as President of the Catholic Leadership Conference.

Dean Westhoff has a Master of Arts degree in English and American literature.

Dean Westhoff is a Daughter of St. Francis de Sales in the Association of St. Francis de Sales and a Dame of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Lisa Johnston

Creative Director

Lisa Johnston is an award-winning photojournalist, videographer, and graphic design artist. As a professional Catholic communicator, Lisa has won acclaim as the Catholic Media Association’s Photojournalist of the Year for six years, awards from the National Press Photographer’s Association, and a Gabriel Award for New Media Campaign of the Year. Additionally, Lisa is the recipient of the inaugural Cardinal John B. Foley Award for Excellence and Innovation in Catholic Storytelling. Prior to her arrival at Ave Maria Law, Lisa served the Archdiocese of St. Louis for ten years, employing emerging and established communications platforms to bring the news of the Catholic Church to the American public. In addition, Lisa’s creative work has been used in many successful multi-million dollar archdiocesan fundraising appeals.

Lisa graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications; she is a member of the Order of Carmel Discalced Secular. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter at @aeternusphoto or visit her website to see her work: aeternus.com

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(239) 687-5300