Building Brands, Empowering Teams, and Advancing Higher Education

I'm a marketing and communications leader, educator, and lifelong learner who believes higher education has the power to transform lives. Currently, I serve as Chief Marketing Officer at Colorado School of Mines, a public R1 research university focused on engineering and applied science. Along the way, I've developed a deep appreciation for engineers, problem-solvers and a campus culture that proudly celebrates a mascot named Blaster.

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With 16+ years of experience in higher education, I've focused my career on promoting and protecting institutional brands, building awareness and enrollment, and helping ensure the student experience lives up to the promises we make as marketers. Prior to joining Mines, I served as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Brand Strategy at the University of Colorado Denver and spent more than a decade at the University of Denver's College of Professional Studies, advancing from Content Manager to Senior Director of Marketing and Communications.

 

My work is grounded in both practice and research. I earned a doctorate from Northeastern University, where my dissertation, "Promises to Keep: How Institutional Brand Aligns with the Adult Learner Experience," explored the connection between institutional brand promises and the realities students encounter throughout their educational journey.​ I also hold an MA in Publishing from Oxford Brookes University and a BA in Journalism with a minor in Marketing from the University of Arizona (Bear Down!).

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I believe great marketing sits at the intersection of data, creativity and human connection. As a leader, I strive to build joyful, productive teams where people feel supported, challenged and empowered to do their best work. Beyond my leadership role, I'm an educator and scholar-practitioner who enjoys connecting research to practice. I've taught over 75 graduate-level courses in marketing and remain passionate about advancing higher education through learning, storytelling and service.

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I'd love to connect with fellow higher education professionals and marketers . Whether you'd like to talk about branding, enrollment strategy, leadership, marketing tactics or swap recommendations for the latest and greatest TV shows, let's connect.