Tennessee charter school center
Communication Manager
March 27, 2020 - May 30, 2024
Managed multiple communication projects simultaneously, demonstrating exceptional work ethic and attention to detail and ability to work independently.
Led redevelopment of the TCSC's website, increasing traffic by more than 20% in the first year.
Quadrupled organization's Charter Champion Awards nominations in one year.
Increased social media following by over 10% in less than ten months.
Increased email campaign open rates and overall readership.
Implemented AI strategies to optimize internal and external communication channels.
Demonstrated creativity and ability to inspire to produce persuasive presentations to influence stakeholders to support the organization's work.
University of Central Florida
Nicholson School of Communication and media
Communication Specialist
March 12, 2016 - March 26, 2020
Manage all communication, marketing, events and multi-functional programming for school. Organize major events and conferences and conduct public relations activities along with extensive event planning. Evaluate and assess initiatives and programs to identify areas of improvement. Oversee communication resources, monthly newsletter and weekly communiqué for internal and external stakeholders. Develop and supervise promotional materials, institution website content and social media content. Collaborate with vendors on the development of promotional materials. Train and manage team of students to complete communication projects.
Managed marketing budget of $30K+ and production of all communication and marketing materials.
Completed website redesign, which included extensive research and strategic planning, resulting in increased traffic of 106% in ten months.
Produced event with 100+ scheduled presentations, while coordinating meals and transportation as well as updates to all attendees on event proceedings.
Created and implemented new processes to improve collection and dissemination of information for university’s signature event, International Crisis and Risk Communication Conference, with 150 communication academics from 30 countries; increased attendee satisfaction nearly ten percent in one year.
Rust College
Public Relations Director and Instructor of Mass Communication
July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015
Created and implemented social media strategy to increase alumni and student engagement. Enhanced college image through visually appealing print materials, including an internal newsletter an alumni magazine.
Implemented demographic and communication surveys that increased engagement by 40%.
Collaborated with vendors, decreasing production costs 50%.
Enhanced and developed college image through production of printed materials, including the quarterly alumni magazine, “The Sentinel,” and annual reports.
Completed weekly #ThrowbackThursday features, doubling Rust College Facebook likes in one year; rolled out student-centric Instagram account with #TopTeacherTuesday and other special features, gaining 800 followers within five months.
Jackson State university
Photography Director
March 29, 2013 - June 30, 2014
Supervised photography for academic, institutional, athletic and historical use. Managed JSU photography services, vendors and budget, building and indexing photo archives. Interfaced with marketing and public relations teams to generate institution image and marketing materials. Provided photography and writing services for university marketing campaign. Photographed events; featured images in internal newsletters, social media and news outlets.
Conceptualized and implemented innovative marketing campaign, People of Jackson State University, which resulted in 17K likes within first two months and increased alumni donor participation 5.4% in first year. The project continues and now includes a coffee table book.
Served as host to weekly radio segment on WJSU public radio 88.5FM.
Public Relations Manager
July 1, 2005 - March 28, 2013
Managed team of writers, editors, photographers, designers and social media staff tasked with developing and executing traditional and innovative promotional strategies. Directed launch of JSU social media, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. Organized press conferences, pitched story concepts and drafted/edited feature stories and news releases. Led university’s internal communication projects.
Served as committee chair and collaborated with internal and external stakeholders on new logo design, branding and website development with budget of $400K; drafted RFPs, identified vendors and imposed new guidelines campus-wide.
Decreased publication expenses 15% and increased overall quality of printed materials.
Developed list of JSU’s top area experts for media interviews.
Supervised development and implementation of JSU’s new smart phone app.
Assistant Public Relations Manager
February 7, 2005 - June 30, 2005
Directed writing staff to create and edit content designed for JSU students, alumni, faculty and staff.
Education
Master of Arts in Journalism, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Bachelor of Arts in English, Rust College, Holly Springs, MS
Accreditation in Public Relations, Universal Accreditation Board, New York, NY
Professional Affiliations/Awards
APR Chairperson, Florida Public Relations Association, Orlando Chapter
Vice President, Black Faculty and Staff Association
Delta GEMS Co-chairperson, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Orlando Alumnae Chapter
Member, National Association of Black Journalists
Recognized in “Young Leaders: 30 for 2006” in Ebony Magazine