Yale’s face in New Haven will no longer be accompanied by perfectly coiffed blond hair, pinstriped suits and green polka dotted socks.

Michael Morand ’87 DIV ’93, the associate vice president for New Haven and state affairs who has represented the University in city meetings and events for over a decade, will leave his liasion post in January to focus on strategic communications with a statewide focus in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications. Morand, also known for his sharp fashion sense, will be Yale’s “director of state communications and special initiatives.” Morand’s new position with public affairs will include effectively utilizing new media to promote Yale across Connecticut.

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“As we seek to tell the stories of Yale and its leadership and service to society, I will be enhancing the great efforts with traditional print and broadcast media, as well as making the best use of the very dynamic digital and social media landscape that is developing heavily all around us,” Morand said.

Morand’s new post will also have an alumni relations component. As part of the “special initiatives” portion of his job title, Morand will report to Mark Dollhopf ’77, the director of the association of Yale alumni, in an effort to encourage alumni to give back.

Morand’s move comes as part of a larger reshuffling for the Office of New Haven and State Affairs — Richard Jacob, who currently serves as Associate Vice President for Federal Relationsin the Office of Federal Relations, will also tack onto his resume the task of managing state affairs in January. Jacob will now report to Bruce Alexander ’65, the vice president for New Haven and state affairs and campus development, on matters relating to state affairs. He will continue to report to Dorothy Robinson, the University’s vice president and his current boss, on federal matters.

Jacob could not be reached for comment.

University President Richard Levin said developing and employing Jacob’s talents more broadly were primary motivations for his promotion.

“It’s just an opportunity to give an outstanding person an opportunity to have a somewhat wider role,” Levin said, of Jacob’s promotion. “I think Rich has really become a national leader among his peer group. He’s really done a terrific job for Yale.”

In an internal announcement sent to University administrators announcing the changes in October, Alexander, Robinson and University Secretary Linda Lorimer said the changes are part of an effort to develop the talents and broaden the experience of senior University personnel like Morand and Jacob.

Morand’s old position will now focus squarely on New Haven relations, and Alexander said he has already begun the search for a new director of New Haven affairs. He said he expects to select a replacement in a few months, and that he will not make a decision until he knows the “universe of candidates interested.”

“We want to be sure to get the strongest possible candidate, and we’ll take our time to do that,” Alexander said.

Though it will no longer focus on state affairs, Alexander said the position will be expanded in that Morand’s replacement will share some of Alexander’s responsibilities in economic development. The position will also entail working with city government and community groups, as well as supporting New Haven’s efforts to reform its public schools.

In his new capacity with the OPAC, Morand will report to Tom Mattia, the University’s chief communications officer, and Linda Lorimer, the University Secretary. The new post is a return to the Secretary’s division for Morand — before he began work in the office of New Haven and state affairs, he served as a special assistant to the Secretary and as the assistant Secretary for education and human development.

Morand has previously served as president of the New Haven public library and Ward 1 alderman.