DR. ERICA SARAH TAYLOR

• Provide strategic executive assistance to Superintendent by managing special projects and leading key initiatives, by resolving complex issues that require executive leadership and direction, by supporting the deliverables of the Superintendent's Cabinet Team, and ensuring that expectations and deadlines are clearly communicated to staff.
• Establish and direct a multi-channel communications strategy
• Create and manage all communications material
• Lead and develop a brand voice and maintain brand integrity across all platforms
• Manage media relations
• Develop contacts with media members, influencers and community leaders
• Lead a team of communication, technology, marketing and design professionals
• Assist in the creation of digital, video, audio and print content
• Support the Superintendent by serving as the executive liaison with the Board of Directors; by preparing/contributing to reports, briefings, presentations, and responses on Board goals and specific issues. Ongoing support for the Board also includes such responsibilities as working with the Board Secretary to prepare agendas, structure meetings, and gathering and disseminating information for the Board and on behalf of the Board.
• Spearhead private and public initiatives that support OCSD and community interests.
• Provide leadership in the development of effective partnerships with community leaders, political leaders, volunteer groups, and various stakeholders and persons of influence.
• Develop and promote community relations opportunities.
• Effectively network to gain support for OCSD's mission on a local and state and national level; fostered relationships with government officials.
• Attend meetings to make informed business decisions, provide administrative support and evaluate progress toward goals and objectives.

• Provided executive assistance to Superintendent by managing special projects and leading key initiatives, by resolving complex issues that require executive leadership and direction, by supporting the deliverables of the Superintendent's Cabinet Team, and ensuring that expectations and deadlines are clearly communicated to staff.
• Supported the Superintendent by serving as the executive liaison with the Board of Directors and by facilitating effective communication with the Board's leadership team and with Individual Board members; by preparing/contributing to reports, briefings, presentations, and responses on Board goals and specific issues. Ongoing support for the Board also includes such responsibilities as working with the Board Secretary to prepare agendas, structure meetings, and ensure accuracy of minutes, supporting subcommittees, and gathering and disseminating information for the Board and on behalf of the Board.
• Represented the District and Superintendent at public events and in various capacities with government and community organizations, facilitates communication with all stakeholders; and ensures that the Superintendent's office is responsive to the needs of the Board, staff and community,with attention to supporting equity and diversity.
• Built and fostered long-term working relationships with various publics of importance including media, members of the community, public affairs offices, and other organizations.
• Spearheaded private and public initiatives that support CCSD and community interests.
• Provided leadership in the development of effective partnerships with community leaders, political leaders, volunteer groups, and various stakeholders and persons of influence.
• Developed and promoted community relations opportunities.
• Effectively networked to gain support for CCSD's mission on a local and state and national level; fostered relationships with government officials.
• Attended meetings to make informed business decisions, provide administrative support and evaluate progress toward goals and objectives.
• Led and directed the strategic planning process for CCSD working in conjunction with the Superintendent;
• Provided leadership in the development of a multi-year growth plan that addresses district reorganization, effectively manages school boundaries, and considers changing demographics
• Determined what must be done today to meet tomorrow's needs – monitors new housing developments, locates,compiles and analyzes data on community characteristics, and changes in school profiles and enrollment trends.
• Effectively partnered cross-functionally to support the overall strategic direction of the organization and attainment of objectives.
• Supervised staff and participated in hiring, training and performance evaluations to establish and enforce policies and procedures for business functions.

Strategic Planning and External Affairs

• Led and directed the strategic planning process for CCSD working in conjunction with the Superintendent
• Provided leadership in the development of a multi year growth plan that addresses district
• Spearheads private and public initiatives that support CCSD and community interests
• Developed and promoted community relations opportunities
• Provided leadership in the development of the effective partnerships with community leaders, political leaders, volunteer groups and various stakeholders and persons of influence
• Built and fostered long-term working relationships with various publics of importance including media, members of the community, public affairs offices, and other organizations.

Communications, Marketing Community Education

• Directed communications, marketing and ensured programs and systems support the strategic direction of the organizations
• Served as a community and board liaison, responded to media requests for information, facilitated media interviews
• Developed the CCSD website as a marketing tool
• Developed the corporate message for the District
• Established strong relations with the legislature, county council, and the Charleston business community
• Served as the communication link between the Superintendent and other governmental entities
• Coordinated and scheduled meetings for the Superintendent and key community/civic leaders

Strategic Planning and External Affairs

• Led and directed the strategic planning process for CCSD working in conjunction with the Superintendent
• Provided leadership in the development of a multi year growth plan that addresses district
• Spearheads private and public initiatives that support CCSD and community interests
• Developed and promoted community relations opportunities
• Provided leadership in the development of the effective partnerships with community leaders, political leaders, volunteer groups and various stakeholders and persons of influence
• Built and fostered long-term working relationships with various publics of importance including media, members of the community, public affairs offices, and other organizations.

Communications, Marketing Community Education

• Directed communications, marketing and ensured programs and systems support the strategic direction of the organizations
• Served as a community and board liaison, responded to media requests for information, facilitated media interviews
• Developed the CCSD website as a marketing tool
• Developed the corporate message for the District
• Established strong relations with the legislature, county council, and the Charleston business community
• Served as the communication link between the Superintendent and other governmental entities
• Coordinated and scheduled meetings for the Superintendent and key community/civic leaders

• Served as the chief media spokeswoman
• Coordinated and led all aspects of media relations, marketing, photography, graphic design, special events and web content management for SC State University
• Developed customized integrated marketing strategy for designated University offices and departments (annually)
• Served as a member of the University President's executive cabinet
• Responsible for the more than 150 official University publications produced annually - to include concept development, content management, graphic design, printing, and in some cases mailing
• Some of those publications include: (1) Annual Report, (2) Alumni Magazines – SCSU Review, (6) Newsletter – FOCUS on SC State, (1) Calendar/Planner, (1) Yearbook – The Bulldog, and (18) Student Newspapers – The Collegian
• Assisted in building, implementing and maintaining a sports marketing campaign, to include creating concepts, working with external advertising vendors, creating/designing billboards, writing radio and television scripts, meeting with external sports and development marketers, assisting in the creation of an advertising rate package for sports publications, performing editorial oversight for football and basketball programs and assisting in the promotion of all women sports
• Responsible for the University's licensing program
• Responsible for the concept and production of all University commercials
• Responsible for the overall operation of the University's 80,000 watt radio station WSSB, 90.3 FM, to include: working closely with the general manager to ensure the best format for the listening audience, and overseeing all FCC compliance regulations
• Served as anchor and executive producer of the University's television show, ‘A New STATE of Mind.'
• Maintained media contact list of more than 500 national, regional and local press partners
• Authored articles for University publications and press releases
• Wrote scripts for University events, PSA's, and correspondence for Advancement VP, Director of Development, and University President
• Strategically prepared talking points and editorials for the University's President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees
• Coordinated and implemented the successful launch of the University's first Brand Identity campaign, and enhancement to the website
• Developed and introduced two new University logos and a tagline
• Developed and implemented University's first communications manual
• Developed and implemented University's first style guide
• Worked with NBC News (pitching story ideas and securing interview subjects) for April 2007 Democratic Presidential Primary Debate; Footage aired nationally of NBC Nightly News and select MSNBC programs
• Managed and coordinated media center for the April 2007 Democratic Presidential Primary Debate; Center served as nexus for more than 600 members of the international press corps
• Managed and coordinated, SC State's tour with Tavis Smiley's ‘Talented Tenth' Leadership Symposium
• Supervised the University's publications manager, graphic artists, assistant marketing director, assistant public relations director, writer/strategist, student publications advisor, photographer, project manager, radio station personnel, webmaster, student workers and volunteers.
• Boosted brand awareness and generated leads while managing internal and external marketing campaigns and programs.
• Organized and executed robust, creative experiential marketing events.
• Developed and implemented marketing and communications plans for SC State.
• Deployed well-coordinated campaigns, events and public relations strategies to enhance enrollment and retention.

• Prepared and disseminated promotional information about company performances during Spoleto USA, and the MOJA Arts Festival.
• Wrote press materials and delivered presentations to media representatives.
• Collaborated with production team to coordinate advertisements and promotions.
• Supervised and monitored media purchasing from media outlets.
• Wrote press releases and assisted in creating and procuring press kits and articles.

• Public Service Activities 1890, Served as a liaison between the South Carolina State University's 1890 Research and Extension Program and the University's Department of News and Communications
• Coordinated and supported the implementation of 1890 Extension's on-going public service activities
• Researched and compiled information, wrote copy for news releases, brochures as well as other 1890 Extension publications, including the division's quarterly newsletter, “Perspectives”
• Assisted the Assistant Administrator for Community Education and Public Service Activities, Vice President for Research and the Executive Director and other 1890 administrators with the preparation and dissemination of programmatic information to the South Carolina State University Board of Trustees, South Carolina General Assembly and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Required to prepare and deliver presentations to civic, governmental, corporate, and community organizations.

• Introduced the principles, philosophies, policies, and practices of the mass media and the allied professions of print journalism, public relations/advertising and radio/television.
• Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
• Shifted between informal and formal methods of teaching to create multi-layered web of learning incorporating experiments, practical activities, discussions and projects into lessons.
• Developed and taught undergraduate courses in for department offerings serving major, minor and general students.

• Non-linear edited, using video acquired from archives and feeds to produce promotional video aired in Florida's major regions
• Cataloged feeds sent from various regions in Florida.
• Planned video shoots in studio and remotely by managing production through stages to completion.
• Presented production ideas and determined creative scenarios for production and delivery.

• Assisted with the production of the “Good Morning Show,” including writing stories, editing video and taking feeds
• Reported on education (local school district, Florida A&M University, and Florida State University)
• On-air, I taped a daily segment called “Take Six” the community calendar for the North Florida, and South Georgia viewing area.

• Served as liaison between Senate offices and the broadcast news industry
• Observed the Senate floor activity and kept a chronological log of Senate floor proceedings
• Attended and reported on Senate Leadership press briefings, news conferences, and hearings.
• Wrote and submitted accurate, engaging and fact-checked stories.
• Interviewed guests on specific topics.

• Assisted in documenting college student's reactions to various laws as well as observing, critiquing, and learning the legislative process.