Author: Mary J. Elliott

When I graduated from college with my first degree, my mother invited friends and family to our home to celebrate and on the table was a sheet cake with three diplomas drawn on it: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. That cake left an indelible mark on my consciousness to attain my higher education goals. As a current student, former college instructor, and marketing communications professional for many industries, I understand the importance of education to the advancement of a student’s dreams and career. My mother’s dream is now my dream, as I get closer to the finish line to walk across the stage and receive that last degree in homage to her.

As I work towards completion of the last degree, I recently learned that there is a lifetime borrowing limit you can reach for student loans. Many of us students – full-time, part-time, graduate, undergraduate – are faced with a dilemma as to how we will pay for reaching our lifelong learning goals. While there are many websites and avenues to obtain funding, it can be a long and tedious process to receive funds, especially for graduate students. Many students like me (and parents) will painstakingly complete the FAFSA application and wait with baited breath to see how much funding we will receive in the coming academic year as we continue our quest for knowledge and education. This is why it’s so important to support foundations and activities that fund higher education and other educational programs that help students achieve their career goals.

If you’re looking for a sound investment – give to one of many foundations that support students like me. You won’t regret it.

A recent article in University Business Magazine outlined five traits of successful proactive-advising programs:

1. Robust technology.
2. Early intervention.
3. Personalized support.
4. Careful communication.
5. Campus buy-in.

Let’s face it: no matter what age, students need help navigating the academic landscape. Whether they are in high school, returning to school after an absence, or returning to pick up some skills to advance in their careers, we need to be there to help them find the best path to success.

When students feel welcome, can see their goal from start to finish, and have access to resources they need, retention and graduation rates will increase. What do you think?

Are you thinking about it? Drum roll please …

Well, according to a recent article, GOOGLE is the most loved brand in America. The article lists about 25 brands and believe it or not, they’re mostly tech or food companies.

So, what makes a good brand? Why did you use Google to search for a pair of shoes for your next vacation? Or why will you buy one brand of pizza over another for dinner tonight? There’s lots of research out there to support our buying decisions!

What resonates most with me when it comes to companies, leadership, and our choices is what author Simon Sinek outlines in his book, “Start With Why.” One of the points he makes is that people do business with people/companies who believe in what they believe. And the most successful companies and leaders are those who are able to convey the”why” of what they do, not the “how” or the “what”. If you’ve never seen Sinek’s TED Talk, check it out.

As a leader in your organization are you able to talk about the “why” of what you do?

How well does your organization convey the “why” of what it does to your customers, students, staff and others?

Just a few thoughts … and yes, I used Google to search for all the links in this blog!

I am an experienced communications and marketing professional with expertise developing and implementing successful programs across all levels of an organization.

The highlights of my work are captured here in my resume of qualifications but it’s more than a resume. Behind the titles, descriptions and dates is a wealth of experience that gets results! I welcome the opportunity to share with you who I am, what I’ve learned, and how my profession has touched the lives of so many people.

My colleagues will tell you that I am known for my flexible, personable communication style which gets results … take a look!

Key Qualifications …

– Media Relations	–  Executive Leader Communication
– Public Relations	–  Strategic Internal Communications
– Crisis Communication	–  Employee Engagement
– Event Management	–  Small Business Development
– Volunteer Management	– Brand Management

CAREER SUMMARY AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Director of Communications and Marketing
August 2019 – Present
City of Gastonia, NC
Oversight and direction of the Communications and Marketing Department for a city of more than 80,000 residents by implementing robust public relations strategy, media relations, advertising, brand management, social media, graphic design, website development, video production, executive leader communications, and crisis communications.

Director of Communication and Marketing
January 2017 – October 2018
Community College of Aurora
Aurora, CO
Oversight and direction of the Communications & Marketing Department for a community college that serves more than 11,000 students on two campuses. Responsible for strategic communications and marketing and brand management for the college, including program marketing, internal communications, community outreach, social media, online communications, graphic design, video production, media relations, and crisis communications to increase student enrollment and retention.

Adjunct Instructor
August 2016 – October 2018
Community College of Aurora
Provided instruction to students seeking to fulfill a communications course requirement or those pursuing a communications degree to graduate and transfer to a four-year institution. Courses: Interpersonal Communication (COM 125) and Effective Presentations (COM 265)

Assistant Director for Public Relations and PIO
February 2016 – December 2016
Community College of Aurora
|Aurora, CO
Managed media relations, public relations, and emergency/crisis communications for two campuses in Aurora and Denver. Managed College Communications Department in the absence of the Director.

Business Development Consultant
April 2015 – December 2015
Jubilee Consulting Group
Denver, CO
Provided consulting services to small and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Services included RFP response preparation, grant/proposal writing, marketing communications, and business resource development.

Marketing & Communications Manager
April 2004 – February 2015
SCL Health | Good Samaritan Medical Center
Lafayette, CO
Managed strategic internal and external communications programs for the Communications & Marketing Department during the construction, start-up and occupancy of a $200 million medical center. Managed department budget of $150,000.

Community & Media Relations Specialist
April 2003 – April 2004
Exempla Healthcare | Good Samaritan Medical Center
Lafayette, CO
Coordinated community outreach and media relations during construction and start-up of a $200 million medical center.

CERTIFICATIONS, AFFILIATIONS, and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Certifications:
Department of Homeland Security Basic PIO Training | Aurora, CO (2018)
FEMA PIO Training for Healthcare | Anniston, AL (2012)

Affiliations:
Leadership Gaston – Class of 2020 (Gastonia, NC)
Leadership Aurora – Class of 2016-2017 (Aurora, CO)
Leadership Boulder County – Class of 2004 (Boulder, CO)

Board Member – Leadership Gaston (Gastonia, NC)
Board Member – North Carolina City & County Communicators
Board Member – Healthy Together Cleveland (Shelby, NC)
City of Aurora Key Community Response Team – Member
City of Aurora Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration – Planning Committee Member

Member – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Downtown Aurora Visual Arts – Former Board Member
Denver Small Business Development Center – Former Board Member
Denver Foundation – Former Advisory Board Member, Diversity Inclusiveness Project

GROUP INSTRUCTION

• Adjunct Instructor – Public Relations Writing (300 level course) – Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Adjunct Instructor – Community College of Aurora (300 level courses)
• Instructor – NxLEVEL Business Startup Program – Denver Small Business Development Center

AWARDS & PUBLICATIONS

• Excellence in Communications – First Place | Strategic Plan | NC3C (2021)
• Excellence in Communications – First Place | Multi-Platform Campaign | NC3C (2020)
• Excellence in Communications – Second Place | Brochure | NC3C (2021)
• Excellence in Communications – Second Place | Website | NC3C (2021)
• Silver Medallion Award | Community Relations Campaign | NCMPR (2017)
• “Strategies for Recruiting ALANA Public Relations Professionals to Local PRSA Chapters” (publication)
• U.S. Congressional Record – Article: Black American West Museum (Denver, CO)

EDUCATION

• Doctoral Candidate, D.B.A. – Capella University
• Master of Theological Studies, M.T.S. – Iliff School of Theology
  Master’s Thesis: “Faith at Work: How Spirituality Creates More Effective Servant Leaders in Healthcare”
• Master of Special Studies, M.S.S. – Applied Communication, University of Denver
• Bachelor of Arts, B.A. – Mass Communications & Minor: Journalism, University of Detroit-Mercy

Living and working in Colorado is awesome! My years of experience include developing and implementing successful internal and external strategic communications programs for several organizations in such industries as healthcare, government and banking.

My colleagues will tell you that I am known for my flexible, personable communication style that gets results. Let’s work together to take your communications to new heights!