Mike Southworth

Mike Southworth is Director of Marketing for Arizona Online within the University of Arizona’s central Marketing & Communications division, where he leads enrollment and performance marketing across more than 200 online degree programs and oversees a multi-million-dollar marketing investment focused on sustainable growth. A University of Arizona alumnus (Political Science; Italian) who earned his MBA in International Management from the Università di Bologna, he brings a global perspective shaped by both higher education and international B2B marketing and sales experience gained at home and abroad. Mike works closely with academic leadership, enrollment teams, and agency partners to align strategy, optimize investment, and translate complex performance data into clear, actionable insights. He is particularly passionate about building frameworks, formulas, and systems that challenge traditional approaches in higher education while prioritizing student success and long-term institutional impact. Prior to joining the university, he was based in Modena, Italy, leading international B2B promotional marketing initiatives with global FMCG companies, retailers, and major sports and entertainment licensors, specializing in in-pack, on-pack, and in-store promotional strategies.