Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Recognition
Timeline
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Sheryl Ragland

Summary

Experienced communications and advancement professional with a strong background in supporting marketing initiatives, donor engagement, and enrollment growth. Skilled at turning ideas into action through strategic planning, teamwork, and execution. Known for adaptability and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on fostering a productive and positive team culture.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience

Work History

Harding Fund Director

Harding University
08.2022 - Current
  • Appeals & Campaigns: Manage Giving Day, year-end appeals, and other solicitations—including segmentation, direct mail, email, and social media—to increase donor engagement and giving.
  • Blackbaud Tools: Leverage Blackbaud for donor segmentation, outreach, and campaign performance tracking.
  • Event & Program Support: Support university events involving alumni and donors.
  • Phonathon Oversight: Managed the student Phonathon program, including scheduling, training, and coordination.
  • Student Onboarding: Wrote the onboarding manual for Advancement Office student workers to ensure consistent training and expectations.

Graduate Marketing Coordinator/Manager

Harding University
11.2018 - 08.2022


  • New Graduate Programs: Partnered with academic departments to onboard new graduate offerings including Master of Science in Cardiac Function and Interventional Technology (CFIT) and Master of Arts and Organizational Leadership (MAOL)
  • Website Visibility: Increased visibility by collaborating to feature graduate and online programs on the university's homepage for the first time. Created the first centralized web hub for all graduate offerings and managed content to ensure consistency and impact.
  • Enrollment & CRM Solutions: Onboarded the first online applications for graduate programs outside of health sciences and implemented the first unified CRM for all graduate programs, including drip campaigns—both through Liaison, Inc.
  • Materials: Created branded print and digital templates to standardize marketing requests.
  • Digital Marketing & Social Media Campaigns: Collaborated with external vendors and academic programs to implement the first multi-channel digital marketing and social media campaigns for graduate programs.

Communications Coordinator/Director

Harding Academy of Memphis
06.2008 - 05.2016
  • Content Creation: Developed and produced a range of content across both print and digital platforms ––including the biannual alumni magazine, annual reports, and weekly parent E-News—ensuring consistent messaging and strengthening brand identity.
  • Digital Marketing: Launched the school's first digital marketing campaign with Tribune Media, resulting in a 150% increase in early childhood enrollment.
  • Director (Promoted in 2015): Grew the communications function from a part-time initiative to a fully staffed department.
  • Website: Led a complete website redesign and introduced a project management platform to improve team coordination.


LEAP Enrichment Coordinator

Harding Academy of Memphis
06.2005 - 05.2014
  • Program Leadership: Directed LEAP, the fee-based after-school and summer programs for children ages 2–12; served as on-site summer director and oversaw programming, staffing, promotion, enrollment tracking, payroll, and year-end wrap-up.
  • Revenue Growth: Grew program revenue to $100K+ through diversified class offerings—including music, art, movement, and academic enrichment—and operational improvements.
  • In-House Marketing: Designed and produced all program marketing materials, saving the school over $30K annually.
  • Community Engagement: Directed Camp Invention, led student art initiatives for LeBonheur Children's Hospital, and represented programs at promotional and camp prep events.
  • Digital Implementation: Launched the school's first online registration system, streamlining sign-ups for camps and events.
  • Dual Role Management: Managed LEAP alongside communications responsibilities until growth enabled both roles to be staffed independently.

Education

BBA - Marketing / Sales

University of Memphis
Memphis
12-1984

Skills

  • Project management and follow-through
  • Developing appeals and programs
  • Relationship building
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Software and systems: RaisersEdge, Liaison, Microsoft Office, Google Suite,Squarespace, WordPress

Recognition

  • Distinguished Alumnus of the Year – Harding Academy of Memphis, 2018
  • Jewel Sisson Outstanding Employee Contribution Award – Harding Academy of Memphis, 2009
  • TN PTA Lifetime Achievement Award – Altruria Elementary, 2003

Timeline

Harding Fund Director

Harding University
08.2022 - Current

Graduate Marketing Coordinator/Manager

Harding University
11.2018 - 08.2022

Communications Coordinator/Director

Harding Academy of Memphis
06.2008 - 05.2016

LEAP Enrichment Coordinator

Harding Academy of Memphis
06.2005 - 05.2014

BBA - Marketing / Sales

University of Memphis

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Sheryl Ragland