Colton Winters
Austin,TX
Summary
A professional, with strong interpersonal and communication skills, that always maintains a positive can-do attitude. Well-versed in graphic design, collaboration and content creation, with proficiency in digital marketing and social media management. Capable of driving impactful communication strategies to enhance brand presence and engagement.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Communications Specialist
The University Of Texas At Austin, NSS
07.2024 - Current
- Collaborates with cross-departmental teams to create cohesive messaging for promotional materials and events.
- Ensures consistent brand messaging across all external communications channels, leading to a strong brand identity.
- Creates social media content across multiple platforms according to content calendars and promotion schedules.
- Take photographs and videos during special events for promotional materials and social media pages.
- Manage the production of annual reports, showcasing the department's achievements and impact.
- Manages projects that advance communication efforts and support the UT brand for a variety of audiences.
- Propose topics on which to base communications strategy as well as, research, write, and post unique and strategic content across multiple platforms.
- Create compelling and engaging written, visual, multimedia posts and stories.
- Utilizes analytics reports to provide strategic direction concerning improvement of visibility and reach.
- Responsible for ensuing clear and effective messaging is in place for a large audience in support of Family Orientation, and is key in the development, execution and review of Family Orientation communication and marketing plans.
- Responsible for organizing, writing, coordinating and distributing the Next Steps eNewsletter series to over 20,000 family members of incoming students.
Communications Director
West Austin Youth Association (WAYA)
05.2023 - 07.2024
- Worked directly with the Executive, Operation, Preschool, Athletic & Development Director’s to maintain and grow an integrated, organization-wide strategic marketing and communications plan.
- Worked with department director’s to develop and implement communication strategies.
- Managed WAYA’s email communications, including creating/editing a weekly newsletter that was sent to over 9,000 people within the community.
- Supported the Development Director in orchestrating the organization’s largest fundraiser, utilizing marketing and communication strategies to achieve a record-breaking $623,500 in donations.
- Managed all WAYA social media channels and conceptualized and executed various graphic design elements.
- Designed several print materials/publications including an annual Impact Report, post card marketing mailer, a Preschool welcome book and an invitation to our fundraising event - sent to over 10,000 businesses across Austin, TX.
- Managed the WAYA website - keeping it up to date with current events and opportunities.
- WAYA Junior Board coordinator - helped provide volunteer opportunities for 70 high school students.
- Enhanced brand visibility by developing and executing strategic communication plans.
- Provided strategic counsel to senior leadership on matters related to organizational reputation management.
- Wrote content for press releases, website and social media campaigns.
- Overhauled website content to improve user experience while maintaining consistent branding across digital platforms.
Communications Student Associate
The University of Texas at Austin - New Student Services
01.2022 - 05.2023
- Produced video content for New Student Orientation official marketing campaigns
- Served as the photographer for UT Austin New Student Orientation, taking well over10,000 photos
- Designed, managed and posted social media graphics for various programs within New Student Services
- Conceptualized and designed the “I Started Here” social media campaign which featured incoming Longhorns before the start of Summer Orientation
- Finalist for the University of Texas Presidents’ Student Employee of the year award
Education
B.S. Communication And Leadership - Minor in Journalism
The University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX05.2023
Skills
- Graphic Design
- Video Production
- Audio Production
- Photography
- Web Design/Editing
- Skilled in Collaboration, effective communication and problem solving
- Social Media management
- Efficient in Adobe Creative Suite products
- Experience with virtual communication tools such as Zoom, Teams, Mondaycom
- Experience with Canva, Drupal, Guidebook, Linktree and Hootsuite
- Strategic communication planning/strategizing
- Marketing plan development and implementation
Timeline
Communications Specialist
The University Of Texas At Austin, NSS
07.2024 - Current
Communications Director
West Austin Youth Association (WAYA)
05.2023 - 07.2024
Communications Student Associate
The University of Texas at Austin - New Student Services
01.2022 - 05.2023
B.S. Communication And Leadership - Minor in Journalism
The University of Texas At Austin
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