Lydia Kitts Email & Phone Number

Berea, Kentucky, United States

Barbourville, Kentucky

I joyfully get to spend my days teaching students how to become media specialists from the mountains of Appalachia. My primary goal is to teach students how to think critically and inspire a lifestyle change - to become lifelong learners - while making the world a more beautiful place through design. My secondary goal is to show them how to work with clients and build strong foundations for brands, proving to them (and their parents) the financial viability of a media communications degree and the economic impact said degree can have on our communities. #freelancerI teach graphic design, website design & development, social media engagement, social media marketing, and digital marketing, as well as career management and strategic storytelling courses. I enjoy the opportunity to teach students how these concepts, techniques, and tools work together to enhance a career in ANY industry.

Barbourville, Ky

• Responsible for graphic design after absorbing the role of former Creative Director.• Guide creative decisions across campus marketing and advertising, applying public relations experience to decisions in order to create a cohesive brand message. • Communicate with internal clients in order to pull together inspiration and information from multiple sources into a finalized design that effectively and creatively communicates their vision while maintaining the Union Brand.• Manage projects throughout the creative process, from concept through delivery.• Collect and curate information into engaging infographics and reports for ease of use.• Design and collate magazines, zines, flyers, postcards, and other print collateral for use in recruitment, fundraising, events, and general use. • Design printed collateral that integrates with and translate to digital mediums such as websites or apps.• Prepare and implement style and brand guides.• Thorough knowledge of pre-press and printing processes.• Studio and on location photography.

Barbourville, Ky

As half of Union's College Communications team, I utilized research data and applied it to develop creative solutions. I was responsible for developing and executing strategies for Union's public relations and marketing in the digital and design realms. Through brainstorming, research, and lots of team work, we were able to move Union's marketing towards a user-led experience. Using imagery, strategic storytelling, and a focus on community development and engagement allowed me to build and sustain our audience online through "offline" conversations.DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MARKETING• Determined which social platforms to use in order to reach our target audiences.• Built an engaged following on social platforms (with target audience variances in mind).• Increased social following and engagement through strategic means be 25.25% and 62.32%, respectively, by targeting messaging based off of audience interest, viewing times, and content delivery.• Analyzed email marketing campaigns in order to determine effectiveness within Union's diverse target markets.• Developed digital marketing strategic plans for course and program launches for programs across campus silos.• Create, implement, and monitor Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and other non-native advertising to ensure consistent messaging with decisive calls-to-action, and positive Return on Investment.• Collect and organize pertinent data into easily understandable nuggets of information to share with senior staff and board members.• Continually research advances in social and digital marketing in order to determine and influence strategies.• Researching, planning, and redesigning the website.• Assist in website content curation and updates when needed.Relevant Course Work:Social Media and PRStrategic Writing and MessagingMeasurement and ROI

• Key point of contact for design and communications projects.• Determine which strategies are needed in order to meet strategic plan objectives.• Develop strategic public relations and marketing plans through interoffice collaboration.• Manage printing from inception, the design process, to client handoff or mailing.• Explore and research options for funding projects, determining ROI through evaluation of marketing, public relations, and advertising impact. • Utilize and train coworkers and internal clients on the project management system that best suites their needs and abilities.• Manage and train interns, work-study students, and teach the following Adobe Creative Cloud programs: Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Muse, Dreamweaver, and Lightroom.• Handle and plan multiple projects with overlapping deadline in a fast-paced work environment.• Represented Union as the session speaker at CASE KY 2015, presenting and work-shopping “DIY PR: Strategic Public Relations Planning for the Nonprofit.”• Representing Union at Board of Trustee meetings and events.• Assist in Homecoming development, planning, execution, and post-project review.Relevant Course Work: PR Theory and Ethical PracticePR ManagementMeasurement and ROICrisis Communication Theory and PracticePR in the Nonprofit SectorStrategic Writing and MessagingValues and Ethics ManagementLaw for Advertising and Public Relations

Barbourville Ky

• Counseled prospective students on the admissions process and opportunities at Union College via phone calls, emails, presentations, and in-person conversations.• Coordinated and contributed to the success of various student visit programs such as open houses, tours, scholarship days, and orientations. • Designed events with the goal to recruit targeted prospective applicants to Union College.• Represented Union in both on- and off-campus situations to prospective students, parents, guidance counselors and other individuals or organizations involved in the college selection process. • Planned and implemented recruitment activities for assigned high schools, including travel to distant territories across the state and out of state.• Developed and maintained relationships with potential students and their families throughout the selection process and on through the student’s time at Union.

Boone, Nc

• Organized and coordinated backstage and green room operations to ensure maximum efficiency. • Prepared, cleaned, made, and set costumes for performances.• Hung lights according to light plots.• Ran sound according to plans.• Assisted in set construction when needed.• Supervised, trained, and evaluated staff before, during, and after events or performances.• Ensured supplies and equipment were adequate in quantity and quality. • Handled customer complaints when necessary.• Enforced adherence to regulations and quality standards. • Ensured all records, budgets, and requests were kept properly and consistently.• Understood requirements for each event.• Planned event with attention to financial and time constraints.• Researched vendors (catering, decorators, musicians etc.) and choosing the best combination of quality and cost.• Negotiated with vendors to achieve the most favorable terms.• Managed all pertinent wardrobe and hospitality operations (preparing venue, signage, shopping, prepping, etc.• Executed final checks at the day of the event (e.g. tables, technology) to ensure everything met standards.• Oversaw event happenings and acted quickly to resolve problems as they arose.• Evaluate event’s success and submitted reports.

Banner Elk, Nc

• Designed and built costumes for shows.• Pulled costumes when needed.• Costume and wardrobe care.• Supervised and trained work-study students on valuable sewing techniques.• Supervised and trained students regarding costume plots and character development as well as show protocol and etiquette.• Developed lesson plans and taught illustration techniques.• Managed costume and wardrobe budget.• Planned costume production timelines, managing workers, materials, and time constraints.

Master’S Degree, Master Of Arts In Journalism And Mass Communication With A Concentration In Public Relations

At Kent State I participated in a strategic, accelerated curriculum which focuses on leadership in today’s evolving business.

Master Of Arts, Educational Leadership

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Performing Arts Studies Emphasis Costume Design And Technology

Activities and Societies: Alpha Psi Omega, Performing Arts, Bonner Scholars, Costume Design, Equestrian Club, Rock Climbing Team, Search.

Education record