Higher Education: Jobs Landed

I love working at Cleary. Everyone from the president to part-time adjunct faculty understands the importance of PR and has been incredibly helpful at getting me what I need in order to do my job. In the past four months since I started, I've gotten to know students, alumni, faculty and staff and am constantly amazed at the unique stories of success (and struggles) that we have running thorough Cleary. I've been welcomed with open arms not only by those at the University, but also by business, non-profit and governmental leaders in Livingston County. I feel energized and valued when I come to work each day!

In my position, I handle the overall public relations strategy for the University including media relations, social media and executive counsel. I am the staff liaison to our community programs such as the Livingston Economic Club and Leadership Livingston and I oversee staff and faculty participation in regional chambers of commerce and other professional organizations. I provide University-wide assistance and support as needed including editing and basic design work. In addition to my on-the-job responsibilities, I serve on the Council for Advancement and Support of Education's (CASE) International Commission on Communications and Marketing, which frames and directs research related to communications and marketing programs and activities; evaluates practices and establishes professional standards for the profession; and provides advice and counsel to CASE leadership to ensure that the organization's programs, products and services reflect current knowledge and emerging trends. I've also been asked to serve on the CASE Joint Task Force on Social Media and I will begin my term next month.

I work in Wayne State University's Business Operations Division which manages retail development, film and photography requests, parking, campus recreation, business services, contract administration, the Student Center, the McGregor Memorial Conference Center and the university OneCard.  I have quite a few roles.  I assist our retail tenants and Business Operations Departments with marketing communication and public relations efforts for the campus and surrounding community.  I serve as a liaison with producers and photographers who wish to film or photograph the WSU campus.  I serve as a liaison to the university Marketing and Communications Dept. on behalf of the departments within Business Operations.  I also assist the associate vice-president of Business and Auxiliary Operations with special projects.  Some special projects include the BusOps Update, an e-newsletter distributed to WSU students, faculty and staff, as well as, the Midtown community, the Show Your OneCard and Save program which allow businesses to showcase their special discounts for WSU and a retail website (coming soon) which will help promote the restaurants and businesses on the WSU campus to the community.

I enjoy working with a group of such talented and committed people.  The campus atmosphere is vibrant and positive which help me to stay motivated. I enjoy the variety and autonomy that my work provides as well.  One of the benefits that I appreciate most is tuition assistance.  It was an integral factor in my decision to return to school for a master's degree in Communication.

As a senior graphic designer, I create the creative for marketing campaigns, which includes designing marketing pieces (brochures, fliers, postcards and other promotional items).

GEAR UP is a federal program responsible for targeting potential first generation college students. I have a cohort of 900 students that I coordinate programs for; giving them the skills, encouragement and preparation to pursue a college education. For more information, please check out my website at www.jdparks.com.

I am responsibe for connecting industry and education for inspiration and philanthropy.  We collaborate with partners all over the globe to bring interesting and unique design challenges to the college.  Partners include: Motorola, Nike, GM, Chrylser, Ford, Honda, Whirlpool and several others.  Additionally, we raise funds to support student scholarship and Community Arts Partnership programming.  It's an exciting, challenging and rewarding career.

GEAR UP is a federal program responsible for targeting potential first generation college students. I have a cohort of 900 students that I coordinate programs for; giving them the skills, encouragement and preparation to pursue a college education. For more information, please check out my website at www.jdparks.com.

I work in the Community Arts Partnerships (CAP) Department at CCS. CAP develops and maintains partnerships between CCS and the Metro Detroit community to provide unique and effective art and design education and enrichment programs for young people, schools, and community organizations.
 
Community involvement is a crucial component of CAP’s successful approach to providing programs that inspire young people from diverse backgrounds to make the visual arts a part of their lives, bring education in art, design and new technologies to the greater community, and inform young people about career opportunities in visual art and design. All CAP programs are free for Detroit youth and are facilitated by professional artist faculty. CAP programs serve over 4,000 kids annually. I also work with community+public art: DETROIT, a public art movement in the city to involve the community in the process of creating public art.

I manage 25-35 faculty in addition to interns and work study students. This includes payroll, communication, scheduling, billing, filing, supply orders, problem solving, teacher support, etc... I also schedule & coordinate Career Day tours of the CCS campus for area middle school students. Tours are designed to enhance their art experience and give those students interested in arts careers insight into what Art School can be like.

I am responsible for preparing proposals and communications materials.  I ensure proper media placement, ad trafficking and budgeting. I also manage details of event and promotion implementation as well as coordinate the distribution of internal and external marketing literature.