Malcolm Carter became director of The New School's university communications in 1985. The Malcolm Carter University Communications records document the three primary areas of activity over which Carter had oversight: advertising and marketing; public relations; and publications. Materials include memoranda, letters, reports, and printed materials, encompassing the range of Carter's activities.

This collection primarily consists of photographs of New School students, faculty, administrators, buildings, class sessions, student life, and events. While the photographs span the period between 1933 and 1984, most of the photographs are concentrated between the 1940s and the 1970s.

This collection contains press releases issued by The New School (formerly, the New School for Social Research) over a three-decade span. The press releases provide a detailed accounting of courses, events, faculty appointments, and the addition of new programs and divisions at the university, including announcements related to Parsons School of Design following its affiliation with The New School in 1970.

This collection largely documents the activities of the New School Publicity Office during the 1940s and 1950s, and reflects the range of activities of the department under the leadership of Agnes De Lima, who directed the department for two decades. The collection includes notes and draft materials for the production of press releases, articles in the weekly New School Bulletin, advertisements and course promotion, and administrative materials. Also includes materials related to the organization of art exhibitions and special events, and transcripts of radio announcements and speeches. The Dramatic Workshop, École Libre des Hautes Études and Graduate Faculty series in this collection are especially rich in describing the work of these important New School programs.