Middle Tennessee State University
Position: Coordinator of Marketing & Development
Location: Murfreesboro, TN.
Time Frame: May 2002 to June 2006
I provided communication and marketing support to the college's three areas: AODL, PDPE, and Administration. Duties included:
- Working with college leadership team to develop a marketing plan, including all advertising, merchandising, publicity, events, and promotions.
- Creating/implementing the production schedule and development of five course catalogs, an annual report, two literary journals, and numerous brochures, pamphlets, posters, and other marketing materials each year.
- Initiating projects, thinking strategically, and executing projects from conception to completion.
- Serving as the official gatekeeper of the college's marketing efforts.
Production Schedule
I planned, created, and implemented a yearly production schedule for three PDPE catalogs, two AODL catalogs, an annual report, two literary journals, and numerous brochures, pamphlets, posters, and other marketing materials. Duties included:
- Meeting with department heads and the college dean to outline the macro-level goals of the product and semester, as well as to lock in all deadlines.
- Developing the production schedule.
- Meeting with department members to distribute the schedule and deliver deadlines.
- Working with members as they compile the early draft.
- Working with the Publications & Graphics Department to convert the draft into a finished, polished product, through a series of proofs.
- Working with Printing Services and outside vendors to mass-produce the product.
Technology Solutions
I was charged with the daily operations of the college Web site, providing support to such operational areas as summer school, evening school, correspondence study, online education, telecourses, noncredit courses, and more. Duties included:
- Working with two full-time employees and one student worker to coordinate html development on select areas of the site.
- Providing standards and procedures for development, ensuring the integrity of the college's branding.
- Working with MTSU's Information Technology Department to verify that all access rights are updated and protected.
- Ensuring the conversion of course catalogs and annual reports to html, as well as posting those products online.
- Working with internal personnel to enable and maintain secure, online registration for division courses.
- Creating and maintaining Web work throughout the site, as needed.
Collaborating for Success
In order to be successful, meet deadlines, and still control expenses, a great deal of collaboration was required inside the college, on campus, and throughout the community. Duties included:
- Working on the college's planning team to create innovative solutions to problems and marketing needs.
- Collaborating with the News & Public Affairs Office to coordinate a monthly radio show with Murfreesboro radio station WGNS AM Talk Radio.
- Building quality relationships with key MTSU departments, including Publications & Graphics, Photographic Services, and Printing Services, to ensure successful completion of all marketing deliverables.
- Working with MTSU radio station WMOT and the school's communication classes to create cost-effective radio spots and public service announcements.
Writing Duties
I conducted such writing duties as: 1) creating copy for catalogs, annual reports, brochures, etc.; 2) writing columns for internal MTSU publications; 3) drafting public service announcements; 4) ghostwriting for the college's dean; and 5) creating/running The Writer's Loft, MTSU's low-residency certificate in creative writing. Milestones with The Writer's Loft have included:
- Planning, creating, and launching this new writing program through the PDPE-portion of the college.
- Managing and directing a staff of eight mentors from four states.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with area writers, editors, and literary agents.
- Editing and producing The Trunk, the program's semester literary journal.
- Planning and implementing one panel discussion and three public readings each semester.
