An Ivy League communications director will be the UA’s new public face, President Robert Shelton announced yesterday.

Stephen J. McCarthy, who works at Pennsylvania State University, has been tapped to become vice president of UA external relations.

“”It’s a very exciting time to be coming to the University of Arizona,”” McCarthy said. “”I’m very excited to be working there.””

In a memo to the campus community, Shelton said he approved McCarthy’s selection after a search committee headed by Ron Marx, dean of the College of Education, recommended him for the job.

“”I agree that he is the right person to lead our efforts to better tell the UA’s tremendous story,”” Shelton said in the memo.

McCarthy said he is impressed by Shelton and his vision for the university, and that he is looking forward to his new duties.

In addition to internal and community relations work that he does for Penn State, McCarthy said he will be doing more work with government and corporate outreach at the UA. McCarthy also said his family is excited for the move, and his wife’s father grew up in Tucson.

Pending approval by the Arizona Board of Regents at their meeting next month, McCarthy said his first day of work will be April 30.