Phillips, chief marketing and communications officer at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will conclude her term as chair of CASE District IV later this year, a role she held from 2024 to 2026, after serving as chair-elect beginning in 2022. She will continue to serve in an advisory role as past chair. 

CASE — the Council for Advancement and Support of Education — is a global professional organization composed of colleges, universities, independent schools, and nonprofit institutions. It supports professionals in fundraising, alumni relations, communications and marketing, and provides strategy and tools to strengthen enrollment, engagement and long-term sustainability.

The end of Phillips’ formal leadership marks the culmination of a nearly 20-year volunteer journey with CASE District IV that began, she said, almost by accident.

“This was never the plan,” she said. “After getting my degree, I planned to work for a year or so at a college while the economy got better and then find something else. Instead, I found a career.”

That early work in higher education led to what she describes as a “voluntold” assignment — attending a CASE district conference that quickly pulled her into volunteer service. From there, she moved into successive cabinet and conference leadership roles, including serving as District IV conference chair in 2020.

“I left the first conference with a volunteer spot the next year. The rest, as they say, is history,” she said.

When she stepped into the chair-elect role, Phillips said District IV lacked a cohesive structure for engagement outside its annual conference. That gap became the foundation for what she considers her most significant contribution.

“Our district didn’t quite have an identity,” Phillips said. “I developed the engagement model that our district implemented. We created a plan that didn’t exist and executed it. That plan resulted in more than 1,000 engagements each year outside of the conference for our district. I’m really proud of that effort.”

Phillips said the work positioned the district for continued growth. The framework she helped design has since been adopted by all seven other CASE districts. She also shared the results with CASE trustees at a national meeting a few years ago, elevating both District IV and ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock’s presence in national advancement discussions.

Leading a district that spans Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, required alignment, Phillips said. Member institutions vary widely in size, mission and resources. She and the District IV cabinet worked to build a shared framework that could connect and support those institutions through intentional outreach and programming.

“We sat down as a cabinet and looked at our overall engagement goal, identified the groups we wanted to reach and developed tactics to support them,” she said. “It was a very marketing-driven approach.”

That systems-focused leadership mirrors Phillips’ work at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock, a metropolitan research institution committed to expanding access to education and preparing career-ready graduates for the regional workforce. In her role at the university, she oversees institutional marketing and communications strategy. That work shapes ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock’s enrollment messaging, strengthens brand positioning, and aligns the university’s storytelling across campus. Through her involvement with CASE, Phillips has connected ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock with national best practices and peer institutions addressing similar priorities in enrollment, communications and institutional positioning.

“CASE is good for ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock,” she said. “There are so many institutions that we can always learn something from.”

Those connections have had practical impact. Phillips said early planning for the university’s upcoming centennial celebration has been informed by conversations with CASE colleagues across the country. She also has contributed to CASE efforts to establish professional metrics for marketing and communications — standards designed to help institutions assess effectiveness and improve operations.

“Because of my involvement at the leadership level, we’ve been able to give feedback and help shape those standards,” she said. “When complete, that work will be a key tool to help units across the world assess their approach and continue improving their marketing and communications function.”

She credited ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock leadership, including Chancellor Christina S. Drale and Vice Chancellor Christian O’Neal, with supporting her service and recognizing its institutional value.

“I have to begin with thank yous,” Phillips said. “Chancellor Drale and Christian O’Neal were both incredibly supportive of my CASE involvement. They saw the bigger picture of how this could help the institution.”

O’Neal said Phillips’ leadership strengthened both District IV and ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock’s reputation.

“Carrie’s leadership has elevated not only our work at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock, but the visibility of our institution across the CASE District IV region and beyond,” O’Neal said. “She brings a thoughtful, strategic approach to everything she does and has a unique ability to connect people and ideas in meaningful ways. Carrie has managed well at home and well at CASE. We are all better for it.”

Chancellor Drale said Phillips’ impact has been just as significant within the university.

“Carrie brings to the table a consummate professionalism that has allowed us to transform our marketing and communication division into the powerhouse it is today,” Drale said. “She has an impressive creative talent as well as sharp analytical skills. But her superpower is her ability to understand the importance of mission and purpose and translate those into strategy, structure, and messaging. And for an extra bonus, she is a delight to work with.”

For Phillips, the most lasting impact of her CASE journey is rooted in community.

“CASE friends became family,” she said. “We are better together.”

As she hands leadership to her successor, Baleigh McCoin, executive director of Advancement and Marketing at Paris Junior College in Paris, Texas, Phillips is confident in the district’s continued progress. Phillips said she is especially proud that McCoin is the first leader from a two-year institution to serve in the role. 

“We’ve built the framework, and I’m excited to see her build on it and continue to refine it,” she said.

While her term comes to a close, her involvement continues, as does the work of advancing institutions such as ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock through collaboration and shared purpose.

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Staff and student employees from ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock’s Office of Communications and Marketing earned multiple top awards, while two additional employees were also honored.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team’s work being recognized by Arkansas Press Women,” said Dr. Carrie Phillips, chief communications and marketing officer at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock. “These awards reflect the creativity, collaboration, and strategic thinking that define our approach to storytelling. From student assistants to senior staff, it’s rewarding to see their talent celebrated on a statewide stage.

Graphic designer Muriel Schrepfer stood out with six awards, including five first-place awards and one second place. They include first place for her work on a Trojan Guarantee ad campaign, a basketball season poster, an admissions brochure, and the university’s brand style guide.

Angelita Faller, news director, took home five awards, including first place honors for a news release on a $5 million drug prevention grant, a media pitch highlighting innovation, a series of eclipse-related news stories, and editing the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Alumni Association newsletter.

Phillips earned first place for her role in the university’s integrated communications campaign surrounding the 2024 solar eclipse event, as well as second-place honors for the university’s annual report and a faculty-focused advertising campaign.

Senior graphic designer Klansee Tozer earned second place for the Donaghey Scholars recruitment mailer and shared honorable mention for graphics promoting the Trojan Way dedication.

Bobbie Handcock, web content specialist, received an honorable mention for a feature profile titled “Against All Odds,” which highlighted a graduate overcoming severe health setbacks.

Sadie Tucker, director of communications for the College of Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education, won first place in online news writing for her story about the reopening of Gallery One and received an honorable mention in arts and entertainment reporting.

Robert Steinbuch, Arkansas Bar Foundation Professor of law at the William H. Bowen School of Law and columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, also earned an honorable mention in the general column writing category.

Three recent graduates from ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock who worked in Communication and Marketing were also among the winners. Editorial assistant Rian Newman earned first place for a feature story on a nursing graduate, while graphic design assistant Charla Tozer brought home four awards, including first place for a sticker sheet design and a holiday art sale advertisement. She also received two second-place awards for an illustration for the law school and an invitation for a graduate night basketball event.

Graduate assistant Ahmed Elkhattabi received an honorable mention for a news story highlighting the university’s participation in a national disability awareness campaign.

First-place entries will advance to the national competition, where awards will be presented Sept. 13 during the NFPW conference in Golden, Colorado.

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The APR demonstrates professional competence, industry expertise, personal and professional dedication and values, and reflects progressive industry practices and high standards.

Faller said she is thrilled to have earned the accreditation.

“The process was both challenging and rewarding, from developing and presenting a strategic PR plan to tackling an extensive exam that tested my knowledge and expertise,” she said. “This achievement reflects my commitment to excellence in the field, and I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned to continue making an impact in communications and public relations at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock.”

“Angie’s work has helped ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock earn national attention, and watching her grow as a communicator has been incredibly rewarding,” said Dr. Carrie Phillips, chief communications and marketing officer at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock. “Earning her APR reflects her strategic mindset and dedication to the field. This is a significant milestone—and a well-earned one.”

Faller is a member of the Arkansas Chapter of PRSA and is president of Arkansas Press Women, an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women.

To get ready for accreditation, Faller participated in the APR Ready-to-Roll Program, a four-month preparation course available in the fall at no cost to chapter members. The program offers mentorship, informational sessions, and guidance throughout the process. The Arkansas Chapter of PRSA boasts one of the highest APR-to-member ratios among PRSA chapters nationwide.

Candidates usually have five or more years of experience and/or a bachelor’s degree in a communications field. They must present a campaign portfolio to panelists who determine their readiness to take the computer-based examination, which is administered by the Universal Accreditation Board.

Passionate about journalism and communications, Faller is skilled in writing, editing, public relations, social media, interviewing, and media relations. Faller’s writing has helped the university net numerous awards including a Best of CASE District IV Award for Writing-Profile (1,000+ words) for the article, “Williams’s Legacy Will Impact Generations”.

Faller received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Eastern Illinois University and a master’s degree in digital storytelling from Ball State University. She has worked as a newspaper reporter and photographer in her native state of Illinois as well as in communications at Ohio University and Grambling State University. Faller became the news and content writer at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock in 2016 and was named news director in 2019.

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The Educational Advertising Awards is the largest educational advertising awards competition in the country. This year, more than 2,000 entries were received from over 1,000 colleges, universities, and secondary schools from across the United States and numerous foreign countries.

The ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock MarComm team is committed to advancing the university by providing a unified voice to lead the university’s efforts in storytelling, marketing, and strategy to improve students’ lives and enhance the campus community.

“I’m incredibly proud of the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Communications and Marketing team,” said Dr. Carrie Phillips, chief communications and marketing officer. “These awards reflect more than just creative execution. They showcase the thoughtful strategy, intentional messaging, and deep collaboration that go into everything we do. Our team is committed to telling the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock story in a way that drives impact, and it’s rewarding to see that work recognized.”

Judges for the Educational Advertising Awards consisted of a national panel of higher educational marketers, advertising creative directors, and marketing and advertising professionals.

“The team was recognized for superior work in a variety of categories,” said Meaghan Milliorn, director of digital strategy. “This recognition really reflects the talent and dedication we have to supporting the university.” 

The Communications and Marketing team received a Gold Award for the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Donaghey Report and a Silver Award for ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Admissions Yield Ads.

Additional recognition came for the following Bronze Awards, including Installations – Staley Labs; Outdoor – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Flag Pole Banner; Collateral, Special Promo – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Social Piece; Special Event Materials – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Trojan Way Invitation; and Annual Report – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Annual Report.

ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock also received Merit Awards for Online Display Ad – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Experience Ads; Brochure – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Donaghey Scholars Program; and Special Event Campaign – Eclipsing Expectations.

Visit the Communications and Marketing website to learn more about our team members and the services available to the university community. 

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This specialized group of nearly 600 members provides senior-level public relations and communications leaders with resources, analysis, and networking opportunities to enhance their strategic impact in higher education institutions.

A member of the for the past two years, Phillips, who recently earned her Accreditation in Public Relations credential, has actively participated in the CHE section for the past year, attending networking events and professional development workshops. As a new executive committee member, she is eager to help guide the section’s activities and support its mission.

“Higher education presents unique challenges where communications play a critical role in shaping institutional reputation, driving enrollment, and engaging communities,” Phillips said. “I was drawn to the because it fosters collaboration among professionals who understand these challenges. It’s an opportunity to share ideas, problem-solve, and explore innovative ways to position our institutions for long-term success.”

In this role, Phillips will contribute to strategic programming for the section, including professional development initiatives such as webinars and workshops. The CHE’s goal is to create year-long programming that continuously supports members with relevant insights and tools.

“Members should be aware of the incredible network of resources this group offers, from virtual webinars and workshops to in-person events and peer learning opportunities,” Phillips said. “I’d love to encourage more higher education PR professionals to explore what this section has to offer. It’s a valuable space for growth and collaboration.”

As higher education institutions face increasing challenges, including shifting enrollment patterns and evolving public perceptions, the work of CHE becomes more crucial than ever. Phillips is committed to helping fellow PR and communications professionals navigate these complexities and drive meaningful impact within their institutions.

“I’m truly honored to be a part of this group and the larger PRSA network,” she said. “The challenges we face in higher education also present opportunities for innovation. I’m excited to collaborate with my peers to shape the future of higher education communications and ensure we’re driving meaningful impact for our institutions.”

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There were more than 1,000 entries in this year’s Educational Advertising Awards competition. Education marketing professionals continue to demonstrate innovation in conveying valuable information through diverse digital channels, including websites, digital content, electronic communications, mobile media, and social media.

The ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Communications and Marketing team is committed to advancing the university by providing a unified voice to lead the university’s efforts in storytelling, marketing, and strategy to improve students’ lives and enhance the campus community.

This year, the team received particular recognition for their work in the Trojan Guarantee and Solar Eclipse campaigns. Ahmed Elkhattabi, a mass communication graduate student who works as a graduate assistant with Communications and Marketing, won a gold award for social media content for a series of videos he created about ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock faculty and staff members who served as solar eclipse experts.

“I’m incredibly proud of the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Communications and Marketing team,” said Dr. Carrie Phillips, chief communications and marketing officer. “These awards reflect their remarkable talent and commitment to highlighting the best of our university. Their hard work and creativity help bring the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock story to life, and it’s an honor to see their contributions celebrated.”

Judges for the Educational Advertising Awards consisted of a national panel of higher educational marketers, advertising creative directors, and marketing and advertising professionals.

The Communications and Marketing team’s winning Gold Awards include:

• Athletic Promotion
• Email: Single or Multiple Campaign – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Eclipse Emails
• Other Social Media Content – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Eclipse Experts
• Annual or Community Report – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Annual Report

The Silver Awards include:

• Microsite – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Scholarship Site
• Online Display Ad – Trojan Guarantee
• Total Digital Marketing Program – Trojan Guarantee
• The Bronze Awards include:
• Digital Advertising – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Eclipse Ads
• Digital Publication-Single – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Now
• Facebook – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Facebook
• Instagram – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Instagram
• Online Display Ad – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Yield Ads

The Merit Awards include:

• Digital Advertising – Trojan Guarantee
• Microsite – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Eclipse Site
• Social Media Content-Campaign – ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Eclipse Experts

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“I am incredibly honored to serve District IV as its new chair,” Phillips said. “CASE is an organization that has invested so much in as a person and as a professional. It’s one of the first places I look for resources in learning and professional development. To get to be in a leadership position in an organization that has given so much to me is a really special opportunity.”

In this new role, Phillips, a distinguished leader in the field of higher education advancement, will spearhead initiatives to support and enhance the personal growth of university advancement professionals across the region, which includes Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, for the next two years. Phillips is the first ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock employee to serve in this position.

“I think it is incredibly special to represent this university and help highlight the great things that are happening at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock,” she said.

Among her duties, Phillips is responsible for creating an engagement strategy to support CASE members in District IV, meeting with other CASE district chairs to collaboratively support CASE, representing the district at all CASE meetings, and overseeing district activities. These include annual conferences, professional development meetings, leadership cohorts, supporting membership engagement efforts, welcoming new members, and providing them with resources and updates about CASE and the industry. CASE District IV also has two professional development cohorts for new professionals that have been in the industry under three years as well as senior leaders, which is instrumental in helping retain a talented workforce.

With a proven track record of leadership and innovation, Phillips is set to lead the cabinet in advancing the goals and initiatives of the organization across District IV.

“As chair elect, I helped put together an engagement strategy concept that every CASE district has adopted,” Phillips said. “During my time as chair, I would like to fully implement that strategy together with my cabinet. For example, we have not hosted a district conference in Oklahoma since 2009. We will be doing an onsite regional conference in Oklahoma.”

Having been actively involved in CASE since 2009, Phillips has served as a conference volunteer, presenter, conference chair, and chair-elect, as well as on two national working groups who worked to revitalize CASE awards and grant programs.

Phillips joined ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock’s Marketing and Communications team in 2022. She had previously served as director of communications and marketing at Arkansas Tech University.

She earned a Doctor of Education in higher education administration from Texas Tech University, where she studied how regional public universities are using marketing efforts to mitigate the enrollment cliff. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and a Master of Arts in multi-media journalism from Arkansas Tech. In 2023, Phillips was recognized as one of the top 10 higher education marketers to follow by Social Media Strategies Summit.

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This resounding success not only showcases the collective spirit that defines the university but also highlights the enduring commitment of its community to invest in the institution’s mission and future.

“This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and generosity of our campus community,” said Dr. Aresh Assadi, director of Counseling Services and chair of the Campus Campaign. “Reaching this participation level is not only a numerical success but also speaks to the sense of unity and commitment among our employees. I believe that boosting internal participation is crucial as it positively impacts our external fundraising efforts, creating a strong foundation for the university’s growth and development.”

Reaching this goal speaks to the shared belief in the transformative power of education and the collective impact of small acts of giving. Altogether, nearly 350 university employees donated to ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock during 2023.

“The spirited engagement of our dedicated faculty and staff in the Campus Campaign goes beyond monetary contributions,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “This wholehearted internal support significantly fortifies our university’s standing as we approach external donors for major gifts. It communicates a compelling message – that those intimately connected to the university are wholeheartedly committed to its mission. This collective investment not only enhances our credibility but also amplifies our appeal when seeking external funds. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the staff, faculty, and administrators who played instrumental roles in organizing this year’s campaign. With the capable assistance of Laterika Tooks and Kristi Smith, it became a total team effort. Witnessing such collaboration makes me immensely proud to be a Trojan.”

The university owes a special thanks to the dedicated employees who helped lead the Campus Campaign effort across campus. Campus Campaign Steering Committee members included Assadi, Mark Baillie, Shelia Brooks, Sikia Brown, Jessie Burchfield, Anthony Buttrum, Katrina Christopher, Reed Claiborne, Shannon Collier-Tenison, andre cummings, Joe Felan, Tyler Harrison, Carrie Phillips, Derek Slagle, Judy Staley, Joanne Matson, Brandy Dixon, and Emily Bell.

Campus Campaign Ambassadors included Katie Helms, Dawn Johnson, Sadie Lea, Monica Meadows, Leisa Myles, Vanessa Whitman, Angela Willis, April Chatham-Capenter, Mercades Parker, Bobbie Handcock, Salina Ables, Reteisha Byrd, Morgan Leyenberger, Mohammad Goodarzi, Keith Harris, Mary French, Rachel Mercado, Belinda Nix, Cynthia Dedner, Al Baker, Jennifer Lampkin, Anne Turner, Grace Zafasi, and Mary Tillman.

“The dedication of our Steering Committee and Campus Ambassadors was evident throughout the campus, and I had the opportunity to observe the effort they invested behind the scenes,” said Laterika Tooks, director of annual giving at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock. “I feel fortunate to collaborate with numerous faculty and staff members who are enthusiastic about their roles and committed to the development and achievement of this university.”

A total of 18 campus departments achieved 100 percent giving in 2023, which is 50 percent more than 2022.

Those departments include Alumni and Development, Applied Communication, the Bursar’s Office, the Chancellor’s Office, Concurrent Enrollment, Counseling Services, Disability Resource Center, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Financial Services, Institute of Chief Data Officers, Mail Services, Marketing and Communications, Office of Military Student Success, Sequoyah National Research Center, Study Abroad, Student Retention Initiatives, Testing and Student Life Research, and the Trojan Transition and Assistance Center.

Bobbie Handcock, a web content specialist who served as a campus ambassador, said that she likes to donate to causes like the Trojan Food Pantry or to help buy caps and gowns for graduating students.

“I work at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock, and I’m also a graduate student,” Handcock said. “I’ve been able to see things from a student’s perspective and talk with my classmates about challenges that they may face. I know how important it is to have support – both financially and academically. The Campus Campaign generates funds to help students succeed and reach their goals.”

As a campus campaign ambassador, Handcock explained how a gift to the university is an investment in future leaders, innovators, and professionals.

“By donating, you can help provide scholarships, financial aid, and resources to students who might not otherwise have the means to pursue a college education,” Handcock said. “By contributing, you can help feed someone who is hungry or clothe someone who needs business attire for a job interview. I shared ways that they could support the campaign, including purchasing a legacy brick, giving to an area that means the most to them or giving a gift-in-kind such as to the Trojan Career Closet. I encouraged them to remember that it doesn’t matter what you give, as long as you give.”

The gifts are a part of the Centennial Campaign, ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock’s fundraising campaign to raise $250 million in celebration of the university’s 100-year anniversary in 2027. The Campus Campaign was part of a cumulative fundraising year that netted more than $22 million for ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock. Visit to learn more about the Centennial Campaign.

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The Communications and Marketing team won two awards in the 2023 UCDA Design Awards Competition, which recognizes the best of the exceptional design work done to promote education institutions. The awards are judged by a hand-picked panel of peer jurors composed of designers, design educators, photographers, and illustrations working for educational institutions.

The team received an Excellence Award in the Best Use of Printing Processes – Specialty Process category for the 2022 design of an invitation to ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock’s opening gala celebration for the Centennial Campaign, the university’s capital campaign that is working to raise $250 million to celebrate the university’s 100-year anniversary in 2027.

“I was very proud of this print piece. Being recognized, awarded for something I enjoy doing on a daily basis is a humbling experience,” Senior Graphic Designer Klansee Tozer said. “Carrie Phillips brought the idea to my attention, which she and I worked collaboratively with Alumni and Development to make it their own for their Centennial Campaign event. We knew it needed to be extra special.”

Communications and Marketing worked with Printing Services to create a triple-swinger die cut with an asymmetrical accordion hybrid format fold, which consisted of six panels in the middle.

“It turned out beautifully using silver ink on black cardstock paper,” Tozer said. “As always, I’m thankful for the creative opportunity, and I’m glad the event was successful.”

University photographer Ben Krain was also recognized for his great athletic photographs featuring student-athletes from the swimming and diving, track, and women’s basketball teams. He received an Excellence Award in the Athletics Photography category.

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Phillips has been recognized as one of the top 10 higher education marketers to follow by . The list names higher ed thought leaders who regularly post about what’s happening in the industry and highlight key tools, events, and trends as well as high-performing tactics, channels, and platforms.

“I am still in awe of being recognized this way,” Phillips said. “So many of the people on this list are people I have looked up to in the professional industry. I am glad that people see my work as equal to the great caliber of work by these industry leaders.”

Some of the others who made the list include Liz Gross, founder and CEO of the higher ed-focused social listening agency Campus Sonar, Maya Wesby, a social media manager at Harvard University, Jenny Li Fowler, director of social media strategy at MIT, and Bart Caylor, co-host of Higher Ed Marketing Podcast.

Making her debut at No. 1 on the list, Phillips was noted for sharing best practices on topics like contest ideation and how to get the best out of marketing conferences.

“Her advice tends to be succinct and practical, which isn’t always the case on LinkedIn!” the article states. “And she also shares thought-provoking content on topics and trends beyond the immediate world of higher education, such as the marketing lessons you can learn from the .”

is full of useful tips and advice on topics like how regional public universities can help mitigate the enrollment cliff (the subject of her dissertation), how communications and marketing teams can serve as change agents on college campuses, how to use artificial intelligence tools in your work, and successful strategies for working with agencies.

Phillips, who has 15 years of experience in higher education marketing, says she never set out to become an influencer. She started her blog as a way to continue her writing, which she came to love after finishing her dissertation in 2022.

“After finishing my dissertation, I was trying to figure out how to fill the void of writing. I came up with the idea of creating my own website and writing weekly posts about things I am passionate about – marketing, higher education, and leadership,” Phillips said. “Writing had become so much of my identity during my doctoral studies, and I wanted to find a way to share my writing with others.”

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