Cole Hons
State College,PA
Summary
Professional marketing communications expert with proven track record of success. 20+ years' experience crafting compelling marketing strategies and elevating brands. I spearhead campaigns that increase client engagement and brand loyalty. Strong focus on collaboration and producing deliverables, on time and under budget. Adaptable to changing needs and skilled in content creation, digital marketing, and public relations. I am a dependable team player committed to producing measurable results.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Marketing & Communications Consultant
State College, PA
09.2003 - Current
- I've taught clients across a wide range of industries to communicate more effectively and increase their revenues. Though their specific aims are always unique, my approach is always the same—to help them achieve their goals in the most strategically sound ways possible.
- The skills I bring to bear are driven by specific client needs, and include: brand strategist, writer/editor, PR maven, director, producer, cinematographer, marketing campaign designer, event planner, and fundraiser.
Director of Communications and Marketing
Penn State University's Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences
University Park, PA
11.2017 - 06.2025
- Directed marketing, communications, and external partner engagement for Penn State's largest and most complex interdisciplinary research consortium, comprised of 30+ research centers, 11 core facilities, and 7 Intercollege Graduate Degree Programs.
- Sharpened brand with more effective messaging, recruited and trained a high-functioning content production team, upgraded website, developed branded websites, videos and social content.
- Launched monthly newsletter, developed and hosted a monthly interactive livestreamed podcast to provide global thought leadership in the interdisciplinary life sciences research space.
- Spearheaded alumni outreach and engagement campaign through LinkedIn, collecting and sharing success stories to relevant audiences.
- Achieved a 25% jump in graduate student applications by deploying an integrated international marketing communications campaign.
- Co-produced story-telling content with external life sciences industry partners on an international scale, across an array of channels, to co-brand collaborative efforts and reach new audiences.
Director of Development & Marketing
The Willow School
Gladstone, NJ
08.2016 - 10.2017
- Headed up fund-raising and new revenue stream development at this remarkable K-12 school focused on ethics, ecology and excellence.
- Launched the Willow School Alumni Society, while sharpening and expanding outreach efforts to enroll more students from across the region.
- Bolstered philanthropic giving, doubled the number of scholarships offered to under-served students.
Director of Marketing
South Hills School of Business & Technology
State College, PA
03.2015 - 08.2016
- Advised senior leadership, led marketing strategy, creative direction, integrated campaign development, PR, and content creation across three campuses. Managed the marketing budget and planned events. Directed staff, interns and freelancers. Implemented a radical marketing makeover across digital, print, radio, TV, outdoor, social and direct mail.
- During my tenure, South Hills saw a 28% increase in student enrollment, enhanced by a custom digital toolbox I designed and deployed.
- Taught marketing courses to traditional and returning adult students.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - General Arts and Sciences
Penn State University
University Park, PA01.1991
Skills
- Brand Strategy
- Social Media Marketing
- Influencer Marketing
- Team Leadership
- Writing/Editing
- Public Relations
- Budget Management
- Fundraising
- Content Production
- Podcast Production
- Video Production
- Event Production
Accomplishments
• 1M+ video views for Huck Institutes TikTok & YouTube channels
• 350% social follower growth for Huck Institutes
• 25% increase in grad student applications for the Huck Institutes
• 28% enrollment growth for South Hills School of Business
• 30% enrollment boost for Penn State World Campus
• 1,000% social media boost for PSU Center for Sustainability
Certification
• Pennsylvania Teaching Certification
• National and Pennsylvania Background Clearances
• Penn State Leader Supervisory Certification
Timeline
Director of Communications and Marketing
Penn State University's Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences
11.2017 - 06.2025
Director of Development & Marketing
The Willow School
08.2016 - 10.2017
Director of Marketing
South Hills School of Business & Technology
03.2015 - 08.2016
Marketing & Communications Consultant
09.2003 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - General Arts and Sciences
Penn State University