Dana College
Full college rebrand | strategic marketing plans | website redesign | digital media plan | comprehensive content creation | alumni magazine redesign | PR strategy | visual refresh for all mass media.
As the Director of Marketing & Communications for Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, I led marketing, branding, PR, events, advertising, company website, and recruitment initiatives. During my tenure, we executed a comprehensive media relations strategy that targeted local, regional, and national media through outlets including radio, television, print advertising, outdoor advertising, direct mail, web, and e-marketing. I created and directed innovative advertising campaigns resulting in n a 40% increase in student enrollment from the previous academic year and developed strategic marketing relationships with vendors–negotiating contracts to reduce advertising expenses by nearly 50%.
While working at Dana, I was also hired as an instructor of graphic design. I taught all four levels of design; met with and recruited students into the program; hosted portfolio review events; and created an internship program for students to gain credit and work study opportunities within the marketing department.
Though the 125 year old college unfortunately closed in 2010, I learned very quickly how to execute crisis plans, handle an onslaught of media requests, and craft messaging on behalf of the college and its Board of Regents. It was a tough situation to experience, however I learned many valuable skills to manage large scale, sudden communication challenges with care.
