Experience

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  Western Governors University

  • Senior Manager, Regional Strategic Partnerships
• 

  Western Governors University

  • United States
  • Higher Education
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications – Markets

    • Feb 2024 - Present

    In this updated role, I oversee and implement integrated marketing plans for the Central and Northeast regions for WGU. In addition, I manage the work of the regional communications managers for both regions.The Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications – Markets is responsible for overseeing the development and execution of strategic marketing and communication plans tailored for specific geographic regions, states, and DMAs. This role entails budget stewardship and accountability for achieving new student application targets and other growth-related KPIs. Working with the Director, Marketing & Communications – Audiences & Markets and the regional leadership team for their assigned territory, the Sr. Manager will define opportunities and strategies for growing student enrollment across WGU’s academic schools and over sixty degree and certificate programs. The Sr. Manager manages a team of marketing and communication managers and specialists assigned to a specific territory(ies)

  • Senior Manager, Region and Audience Marketing

    • Aug 2022 - Feb 2024

    In this role, I oversee marketing for WGU's Central Region which includes Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and the western 1/3 of Pennsylvania.Develop region-specific plans (including differentiated strategies at the state and DMA levels as appropriate) to meet audience and program growth targets within each territory, based on in-depth market-level competitor, prospect, and employer research and analysis.Manage regional marketing budget, coordinating with Head of Marketing, SVP of Regional Operations, Regional Vice President, and other Marketing and Outreach leaders.Coordinate brand building and lead generation efforts with central marketing services, including Integrated Marketing (Media, Brand, Creative) and Marketing Operations (SEO, Web Ops, Email, Project Management).Work with Strategic Partnerships team to develop appropriate marketing support for regionally based field teams; identify ways to develop new partnerships and grow existing partnerships.Ensure effective planning and execution of localized marketing tactics and campaigns to influence B2C and B2B audiences.Coordinate team efforts with Region-based External Communications (PR), Government Relations, and Alumni teams; help orchestrate an overall market plan that includes tactics from each of these areas.Drive geography- and audience-based forecasting, reporting, and root cause analysis within the region; coordinate efforts with College & Program Marketing to drive insights at the intersection of geography, audiences, and program offerings.Lead planning and tactical support for new and existing partner growth, providing marketing support for Strategic Partnership Managers (field team) who report to the Regional Vice President.Establish and continually refine geography- and audience-specific messaging that powerfully communicates WGU’s positioning, attributes, and proof points in tailored, culturally appropriate ways.

• 

  Indiana University Kokomo

  • United States
  • Higher Education
  • 500 - 600 Employee

  • Assistant Vice Chancellor of Media and Marketing

    • Aug 2021 - Aug 2022

    Job Summary: Directs leadership staff, media and marketing staff, as well as web team staff. Establishes long-term business plans and long-term strategic objectives. Responsible for escalated operational issues and for creating and facilitating a marketing plan for each school to compile a comprehensive marketing plan for campus. Responsible for working closely with the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Admissions on the SEM process. Determines overall budget for communications teams. Develops business relationships across the university and externally. Drives innovation and excellence within the area of general communications. Fundamental Responsibilities: Directs overall operations and strategy for the marketing and communications function by providing oversight and direction within a large multi-faceted department or multiple departments.Hires, trains, evaluates, coaches, assigns work, sets goals and objectives, determines staffing needs, sets strategic priorities, and directs the work of people leaders within communications.Manages relationships with various internal and external stakeholders; determines communications needs, projects, and programs to align with objectives and goals and coaches people leaders on processes such as the development of communications timelines related to such initiatives.Directs and manages the budget for communications initiatives, including expenditures, revenue projections, program costs, and cost containment.Responds to escalated and highly complex inquiries and requests and explains policies, procedures, and context of communications.Monitors industry trends and best practices and implements strategic process and policy changes to optimize operations and progress toward objectives.Presents communications outcomes to university leadership.

  • Director, Media and Marketing

    • Apr 2011 - Aug 2022

    • Direct all marketing, advertising, public relations, media relations, social media, and internal and external communications • Establish marketing strategies/tactics to achieve university yield rates, enrollment, retention goals through a variety of media tactics with specific focus and emphasis on digital marketing campaigns to appeal to the prospective student • Brand steward for the university image throughout all communications, including community-based events, alumni and donor communications• Develop comprehensive marketing plan that encompasses all university divisions and encourage research-based, market-driven programs, collaborate with all schools and departments• Publicize all campus activities and programs• Oversee video and photo shoots, publications, web site, radio, television, outdoor and direct mail advertising and the creation of all other marketing collateral • Research, propose and direct all media buys • Communicate the value of higher education, undergraduate and graduate degrees, outreach programs, continuing education and other initiatives to internal campus audiences and the general public through advertising campaigns, press releases, publications, social media, web site, and campus events • Coordinate development and delivery of responses to media inquiries about university programs and activities • Manage crisis communication, serve as public information officer for the campus (have received extensive training in crisis communication and participated in state-sponsored simulation crisis activities)• Manage electronic communications, e-marketing, digital media projects, social media marketing, web analytics, search engine optimization, and development and management of content management systems• Evaluate employee performance, meet regularly to discuss expectations/job performance• Collaborate with alumni director on twice-yearly production of 24-page alumni magazine

  • Senior Communications Specialist

    • Oct 2010 - Apr 2011

    • Oversee and implement the strategic use of communication to advance the mission of the campus• Advise the Chancellor and the Cabinet on communication issues• Serve as the media liaison• Facilitate proactive relationships between IU Kokomo and its constituents• Promote appropriate recognition and brand integrity• Develop high-quality, compelling communication pieces in support of the communication plan and help capitalize on recognition opportunities

  • Communications Specialist

    • Sep 2008 - Oct 2010

    • Market and brand the campus according to its message, as directed by the Chancellor• Handle all media relations• Write all press releases, determine news and placement on the Web site. • Photograph campus events • Promote the campus to recruit students, engage the ones who have enrolled and are attending, and provide information to alumni, donors and community

• 

  Radel Wood Products, Inc.

  • Peru, Indiana

  • Co-Owner

    • May 1999 - Oct 2010
    • Peru, Indiana

    Wood manufacturing company. Wine racking, beer displays, custom millwork. Marketing, day-to-day operations, Quickbooks, trade shows... you name it. When you own a business, you do it all.

• 

  Partners 4Community Growth

  • Project SOAR Program Coordinator

    • Aug 2005 - Jun 2009

    County-wide after school program that targets at-risk middle school students. Recruit mentors, market the program, coordinate schedule of speakers and curriculum, work with teachers who conduct the program.

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  Peru Tribune

  • Advertising Director

    • May 1996 - Feb 1999

    Create advertising sale packages, set rates, monthly promotions, set monthly/yearly goals. oversee advertising department both display and classified.

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  Peru Tribune

  • News Editor, Reporter

    • Mar 1992 - Jul 1994

    As a reporter, I was able to learn about the Peru community and the surrounding areas. I made contacts quickly and was considered a reputable reporter who strived for the facts. I worked well under pressure and meeting deadlines, even with late-night meetings or last-minute happenings and still g...

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  Indianapolis News

  • intern

    • 1990 - 1991

    Worked at the Statehouse with news guys Joe Fahy and John Schwantes.

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  Indiana Credit Union League

  • Customer Service

    • 1987 - 1989