Erica Colaianne is the Director of Social Media at the University of Michigan where she leads the social communications team that creates dynamic content every day for audiences of more than 2.3 million. Representing a world-class institution known for academic excellence, innovative research, competitive athletics, and a vast global alumni network, she strategizes informational, inclusive and inventive content to educate, engage and enthrall U-M audiences across all social platforms. Driving the coordination of cohesive strategies, she brings social communicators throughout the institution together to cultivate collaborations for creative content that demonstrates the immense impact of the institution and encapsulates the Wolverine experience. 

Erica previously worked in communications and marketing at Wayne State University and prior to joining the higher education community she led communications and marketing efforts for a range of organizations including healthcare, media companies and nonprofits. She graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and received a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Eastern Michigan University.

Alissa Hoffman is the Digital Marketing Manager at Cheshire Academy whose love for graphic design and branding is a driving force behind institutional marketing efforts at the oldest boarding school in Connecticut. 

Alissa earned her MBA and B.S.B.A at University of Hartford. Her passion for learning is continually challenged by the ever-changing social media landscape and energized by the interactions and collaborations with the on-campus marketing interns and campus partners.

Outside of work, Alissa continues her creative passions through freelance photography and web design work. Her artful inspiration is powered through her love to travel and discover new music!

Kevin Prchal is the Digital Content Specialist at Harper College, a singer/songwriter, an enthusiastic lover of cinema and a proud #GirlDad. He loves the world of higher education and having the opportunity in his role to connect with people from all walks of life, tell their wonderfully diverse and inspiring stories and, most importantly, celebrate them at the end of their educational journey. 

Alex Rodríguez engages all generations of the Cal community through social media and digital marketing for crowdfunding, student philanthropy, and giving days as UC Berkeley’s Assistant Director, Digital Campaigns. After overhauling student philanthropy through social content creation and digital giving, Alex now oversees the Crowdfunding program, launching and marketing ~70 projects annually. Throughout his different roles at Berkeley, Alex helped pioneer social media strategy in fundraising at his alma mater - he created the school’s first Instagram Reel! Alex uses his passion for social media (and chronically online experience) to put the “fun” back in fundraising at Berkeley. 

Outside of his professional life, Alex loves to express himself creatively through fashion, dance, and TikTok, and can likely be found listening to K-Pop at any given moment. Alex lives in SoCal with his very photogenic cat, Chromeo Kiwi Lunario (@chromeo.kiwi)!

As Associate Director of Communications and Project Management for Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, Grant leverages his multimedia storytelling skills to champion forward the incredible stories found on a university campus. With over nine years of experience in public relations, social media, and photography, Grant has a passion for inspiring change and showcasing the stories of the U of A community.

In his previous roles in higher education, Grant has been a full-time social media manager for the Sam M. Walton College of Business, also at the U of A, worked as the full-time campus photographer for the University of Central Arkansas, and directed a study abroad campus in Italy for his undergraduate alma mater, Harding University.

Additionally, he has worked as a project manager and story producer for a corporate video production team and has his own creative consultation and freelance photography business. He has won multiple awards for his work in breaking news and sports photography, and published work in yearbooks, newspapers, art shows, and other digital and print materials. Grant holds a B.A. in public relations and is continuing his education at the U of A in the M.A in communication program. He is always eager to learn new skills, explore new perspectives, and collaborate with others to deliver high-quality, meaningful, and impactful stories.

A journalist at heart with a knack for storytelling, Marlita Bevenue kicked off her career in broadcast journalism, crafting news for television. This love for weaving narratives seamlessly carried her into the world of digital marketing, where she's successfully led marketing campaigns in healthcare, higher education, and the non-profit world. Along the way, she's built and boosted brands, created innovative strategies, and nurtured communities like a proud digital gardener. Now, as the digital content strategist for UW-Madison’s College of Letters & Science and adjunct marketing faculty with Madison College's School of Business and Applied Arts, she gets to blend her passion for strategy and education. On the home front, she feels lucky to have a wonderfully patient husband, two energetic daughters, and a goldendoodle, Miles Davis (named after the iconic trumpeter and jazz musician). When she's not wrangling content or students, she's likely jet-setting somewhere exciting, capturing moments on video, or losing track of time scrolling through Instagram (for research and curriculum development, of course).

Haley Broughton is a social media expert with a bachelor's degree in Marketing from Eastern Kentucky University. Before joining Berea College, she helped local businesses in Madison County enhance their social media presence. Now, as Berea's Social Media Coordinator, Haley drives the college's social media initiatives. She creates engaging pop culture content and keeps up with the latest social media trends and algorithms to ensure Berea College remains ahead in the ever-changing social media landscape.

Justin Cox is the Communications Manager for the SeaDoc Society, overseeing strategic communications and media relations. He communicates the organization's mission across all channels including the website, newsletter, social media and more, telling impactful stories that move people to conservation action. He also hosts and produces the SeaDoc Society’s Pod of Orcas podcast. 

Justin studied multimedia journalism at Northwestern and spent the early part of his career as a reporter for various sites. In 2013 he took a job leading communications for the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center. He now leads communications for the SeaDoc Society, a marine-science organization in the Pacific Northwest’s Salish Sea. He is tasked with translating complex science and conservation work into stories that move people to action or impact policy.

A highly accomplished Head of Communications with over 25 years' experience in shaping strategic messaging, corporate reputation and crisis management and driving national and international media relations. With a strong audience and stakeholder focus, Sheena Doyle is an experienced, impact-driven communications professional, leading a multi award-winning communications team at University of Limerick.

Peggy England joined The Kinkaid School in March 2021 as the first Director of Strategic Communication. Prior to joining Kinkaid, Peggy served as a trusted strategic advisor to senior executives in the private and public sectors. She spent the majority of her career in Washington, D.C. serving in communication positions for members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives as well as serving two U.S. Presidents in the White

House Office of Policy Development and the U.S. Department of State Bureaus of Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy where she finished her government career as a Deputy Assistant Secretary. Peggy also held positions in public affairs agencies and trade associations in D.C. and New York. In Houston, she has worked in the educational sector as principal of Pirogue Communications, a strategic communication firm specializing in education and public policy. Peggy received a B.A. in Media Studies/Journalism from Fordham University.

Stephanie Hamilton serves as the Digital and Social Media Specialist for Loyola University Chicago, where she oversees all alumni social media platforms and web pages. With over 6 years of experience in social media management and alumni giving, Stephanie brings expertise in strategy development, content creation, video editing, and community engagement. Her dedication to fostering alumni connections and enhancing engagement has significantly contributed to the university’s outreach efforts. She is known for her ability to create meaningful connections and elevate the alumni experience through innovative digital strategies.

Quintin Jancola is the Alumni Relations Strategist for the College of Letters & Science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he develops programming and initiatives to engage students and young alumni. Representing the university’s largest college, with nearly 220,000 alumni worldwide, he builds cross-campus partnerships and creates engagement opportunities that inspire connection and pride among the newest generation of Wisconsin Badgers. Central to his role is fostering a culture of philanthropy within the College, laying the groundwork for future alumni support.

Quintin brings experience in community engagement and development, including supporting multi-million-dollar fundraising campaigns for Habitat for Humanity in Seattle. Outside of his work at UW–Madison, he is the founder and creative director of Q Jancola, an event management agency serving clients throughout the Midwest. A natural planner, he infuses creativity and strategic vision into everything he undertakes.

Jessie King is the Director of Digital Giving and Engagement at Loyola University Chicago, where she oversees the alumni social media strategy and digital engagement initiatives, including giving days, alumni weekend, and other key events. Her expertise encompasses comprehensive digital giving strategies, enhancing alumni relations, and driving donor engagement through online platforms. With over a decade of experience in annual giving, alumni engagement, and digital marketing, Jessie is passionate about building meaningful connections and driving participation through innovative strategies.

Nicole Knoll is a senior digital marketing strategist at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement. She leverages analytics to craft engaging stories that resonate with audiences. She has decades of experience specializing in higher education, healthcare, and nonprofit domains. With a master’s degree in business analytics (data science) and bachelors in English from the University of Iowa, she is a Hawkeye twice over. Her leadership led to being a part of the 2021 Marketing Team of the Year as awarded by #HigherEdSocial, which celebrates the best work in Higher Ed digital marketing communications.

Brittany "Bee" Lakes is a Master's level professional currently working in higher education. She is a Certified Digital Marketing Professional trained in marketing and psychology, with a knack for creative thinking. She offers a comprehensive approach that emphasizes branding, technology, written and visual content quality, and information architecture to ensure a robust user experience.

Anne Robinson is the Communications and Events Specialist at University of Toronto’s Acceleration Consortium. With nearly seven years of experience in marketing and public relations, Anne brings a well-rounded skill set from her work in both Toronto and New York City. Her career includes roles on the marketing teams of leading architecture firm KPMB Architects and luxury fashion retailer Holt Renfrew. While in New York City, she supported integrated social media and public relations campaigns for prominent clients such as Savannah College of Art and Design, the Chicago Architecture Biennial and Design Miami/ driving engagement and raising awareness for these high-profile organizations.

A clear and effective communicator with a passion for education, Anne served as a Digital Marketing Instructor at Conestoga College in 2023, where she mentored 20 students in social media strategy and professional communications. She has also shared her expertise as a guest lecturer at Tamwood College, discussing the power of social media using case studies from throughout her career. 

Anne holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Art History and Film & Media from Queen’s University and a Digital Marketing Certificate from Columbia University, adding to her diverse range of expertise.

Mariana serves as the associate director for strategic communications at the College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She develops creative media strategies and amplifies stories through print and online channels that highlight the impact and visibility of the college, its units, and the individual artists, designers, researchers, and practitioners within. Mariana works collaboratively to strengthen connections across academic and engagement units, community and state partners, and other stakeholders. Mariana also served on the U of I Web Conference planning committee for five years, with two years as co-chair, and spent several years as the director of marketing and events for a family vineyard and winery in northern California. With 20 years of experience in professional, community, and academic arts, Mariana is also a performer, director, and dramaturg, and runs a great box office.

As assistant director of social media, Courtney helps plan and execute short- and long-term strategy for Penn State’s main social media accounts, curates and creates content for social media platforms, and analyzes content and campaigns. She also uses performance analytics and content evaluation to shape recommendations for continuous improvement and growth across platforms, constantly seeking new ways to engage with and respond to audiences.

Before joining Strategic Communications, Courtney held digital marketing roles at Facebook, Microsoft, and various start-ups in the Bay Area. She also spent four years focusing on paid social media with Penn State World Campus and IPG agency Mediahub.

In addition to earning bachelor’s degrees in psychology and anthropology at Penn State, she received an M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. in museum studies from Seton Hall University.