University of West Florida

University Marketing Communications

Staff

John Blackie, University Photographer
	John Blackie provides a variety of photography services for the campus with the production of numerous multimedia materials that are used by faculty and staff for instruction and/or publication or for Web sites. He has taken photos for UWF billboards as well as the photos for the UWF home Web page. Blackie is available to take portraits and UWF team photos, as well as to photograph events and awards ceremonies. In addition to his role at UWF, Blackie also serves as a part-time staff photographer for the Pensacola News Journal. He previously served as a photographer for the Environmental Protection Agency and as a photographer in the United States Army for four years.
Janice Cooper, Director of Communications
	Janice Cooper joined the department in January 2000 as editor. She is now responsible for administering a communication strategy for the university, including media relations, internal/external and Web communications, employee communications and issue management. She serves as a member of the university’s Web Team and Festival on the Green Steering Committee. Janice has more than 17 years experience in the development of print and electronic publications and products, as well as advertising, media relations and Web site management. She is a graduate of the UWF LEAD “Class of 2001” and the Leadership Pensacola "Class of 2003." She is a 2004-2005 recipient of the UWF Award of Excellence. Cooper currently serves on the board of the Florida Public Relations Association and is a member of the AASCU Advisory Council on Communications and Public Affairs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations, Latin American politics, from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Va.
Connie Marse, Director of Publications
	As part of the university’s marketing and image development team, Connie Marse oversees the development and production of UWF publications and serves as their executive editor. She also serves as interim chair of the university's Making Way for Excellence Communication Team. She joined the university family in 1980 as a copywriter for the alumni newsletter and has since served as editor for various university publications and university-published books. She is a graduate of the UWF LEAD “Class of 2000” and serves as co-chair of the Festival on the Green Steering Committee and serves as a member of the Unite Escambia Marketing Committee. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication arts from UWF.
Alesia Ross, Marketing Coordinator
	Alesia Ross has been with UWF since 1999. She serves as the department liaison to the internal UWF community and conducts and coordinates project research and evaluation, public speaking engagements and Marketing Communications events management. She is responsible for overseeing the university's Welcome Center operations. Ross is currently chair of the UWF Making Way for Excellence Student Satisfaction Team and serves on the Festival on the Green Steering Committee. She holds a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary social sciences from UWF. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in College Student Personnel.
Lauren Smith, Communications and Web Manager
	Lauren Smith develops and organizes content for UWF’s Web Presence, by providing support for UWF’s social media Web initiatives such as Flickr, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, search engine marketing and video development. She also serves as editor of UWF’s online monthly employee newsletter, “Fountain,” “Argus Today” and maintains the university’s electronic calendar, ECal. Smith previously served as the campaign manager for university’s $37 million capital campaign, “Creating Great Futures.” She holds a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Florida State University and a master’s in public administration from UWF.
Deborah Tripp, Office Administrator and Customer Service Specialist
	Deborah Tripp splits her time between supervising the Welcome Center staff and Marketing Communications where one of her main responsibilities is to assist with the department's job tracking system, departmental billing for publications, badges, advertisements and photography. Previously, she was a data processing control specialist for University Advancement. She received her Associate of Arts & Sciences degree in networking services technology at Pensacola Junior College in December 2004.
Joy Ward, Director of Advertising and Marketing
	Joy Ward has been with the university since December, 1993. Joy is responsible for advertising and integrated marketing strategy with regard to image development and enrollment growth for the university. Previously, Joy worked 11 years with Gannett Corporation as an ad designer then as creative services manager for two of its newspapers, Florida Today and the Pensacola News Journal. She is a graduate of the UWF LEAD “Class of 1999” and she serves on the Festival on the Green Steering Committee. She is a 1998 and 2003 recipient of the UWF Award of Excellence. She has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of South Alabama.
Jaimie Woodard, Assistant Director, Communications and Web Services
	Jaimie Woodard joined the department in May 2003 as assistant director of communications. She is now responsible for implementing university Web strategies, policies and procedures, with the overall guidance and direction of the university Web Advisory Committee. She works to develop and implement procedures within the organization to create and approve content and carries out other Web management responsibilities. Jaimie is also chair of the university's Web Team and advisor to the Excellence Matters Faculty and Staff Reward and Recognition Selection Committee. She is a graduate of the UWF LEAD “Class of 2005.” Jaimie is a 2008-2009 recipient of the UWF Award of Excellence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising and a minor in marketing from the University of West Florida.
Pola Young, Art Director
	Pola Young, coordinates and produces visual communications media such as brochures, postcards and banners for internal and external use. Young is also responsible for the design and production of “Connection,” UWF’s alumni publication. Young comes to UWF from Trim International where she worked as a graphic designer. Prior to that, she worked as a junior copywriter for Bloom Advertising Agency in Dublin, Ireland. She works and has worked on freelance projects for the Pensacola Opera, Seville Quarter, emagination unlimited and the Pensacola Symphony. Young also currently serves on the board of directors of the Pensacola Bay Area Advertising Federation as student liaison to area universities and colleges. She holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising and a minor in studio art from the University of West Florida.