A career highlight happened when the American Marketing Association named me the national higher ed marketer of the year. It was a head-spinning honor and a 100 percent credit to our team.

At our division retreat, the team surprised me by using AI to promote a hypothetical marketing book I “wrote.” We developed AI-generated press releases, marketing strategies and even tackled crisis communications due to fictional protests against my book!

Last month, I asked my LinkedIn connections to share the "comms/marketing phrases that you wish would go away.” Of the more than 80 comments and suggestions, here are the four most relevant themes.

This week was my first freshman move-in experience of my higher ed career as both a parent and university administrator. What a difference that makes. Here's what I've learned and felt ... and how it will make me better at my job.

Earlier this month, we finished an AI document with lots of practical advice for our work with VCU and VCU Health. What I appreciate most about the outcome is our guiding principles, copied below.

I’ve long believed that universities that embrace spirit, fun and humor have an advantage over those who play it straight. I'm delighted to work for a boss who feels the same way.

The Enterprise Marketing and Communications team earned four awards in the national competition, including two Golds, for projects that helped promote VCU and its Uncommon brand.

This past weekend, I was dancing on the floor of Sphere—the mind-blowing concert venue of the future in Las Vegas—as U2, my favorite band, played Mysterious Ways, one of my favorite songs.

A year ago today (on President’s Day, fittingly), my friend and mentor, longtime UCF President John Hitt, passed away at age 82. This is one of my favorite UCF photos and Dr. Hitt stories.

This photo recently popped up as a Facebook memory from when I coached Little League baseball and softball for my son and daughter. To get to practices and games with enough time to set up, I’d leave the office at 3 p.m. twice a week.