Katie McMillan

As a first-generation college graduate, I know the power an education has to shape an individual's future. I am committed to sharing stories of excellence, opportunity and access, so that everyone can see the value of an education and envision themselves as graduates. I am an empathetic storyteller, and strive to elevate academic expertise in an accessible way to further the greater good. ​ 

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Experience

Education

Wayne State University Office of Marketing and Communications, Detroit   
Associate Director of Public Relations / July 2021 - present
Information Officer / August 2016 - July 2021

• Identify, write and distribute news stories and press releases, elevating the work of the university's different schools, colleges and units
• Proactively pitch to and yield inquiries from local and national media
• Update and maintain university-wide news website and digital directory showcasing university experts
• ​Create newsletters for faculty, staff, student and parent audiences
• Act as a communication liaison for the Office of the Provost
• Assist in monitoring and analyzing earned and organic media coverage
• Contribute to ongoing brand strategy discussions and assessments
• Aid in the development and launch of the 2022-2027 university strategic plan
• Serve as Assistant Ride Director for the annual Baroudeur cycling event, managing registration, communication, fundraising and logistics

Credit Union ONE, Ferndale  
Communications Manager • July 2015 - August 2016
Integrated Marketing Specialist • June 2014 - July 2015

• ​Wrote and distributed print and digital communications, including promotional materials and account-related messages for more than 127,000 members 
• Led the messaging strategy for two bank mergers
• Wrote and distributed press releases; served as the public and media relations contact
• Provided internal talking points related to products, promotions and customer service issues 
• Developed the company's social media strategy and managed accounts, growing Facebook followers from 7,500 to more than 10,000
• ​Planned and executed corporate events and sponsorships 
• Completed a digital content audit and rewrite for a website redesign
• Aided in the redesign of the company's website and app

Oakland University, Rochester, MI   
Media Relations Assistant • May 2013 - November 2013

• Suggested and produced news stories and press releases
• Interacted with media to initiate positive press coverage, verify information, and identify news stories and potential interview sources 
• Assisted with the management of the university's official social media accounts 
• Aided in the development of a Social Media Street Team to foster student relationships and leverage user-generated content
• Assisted with script writing for promotional video shoots
• Collaborated with campus police to plan and execute a mock exercise to review and refine crisis communication protocol 
• Aided with media budgeting and scheduling across multiple platforms

Master of Arts - Communication
​Wayne State University
August 2019 - December 2022
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​Bachelor of Arts - Journalism 
Oakland University
January 2012 - December 2013
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Associate's Degree
Macomb Community College
August 2008 - December 2011

Skills & Expertise

• Media relations
• Writing and editing
• Interviewing
  
• Event planning
• Project management
• Data organization and analysis
  
• Social media management
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Photoshop
• Cision Media Monitoring

Affiliations

Public Relations Society of America
Counselors to Higher Education
​
​Wayne State University 
​Mike Ilitch School of Business 
Corporate
​Mentorship Program 

Awards

Wayne State University
​Office of Marketing and Communications
​
​Get Sh*t Done Award
2018 Warrior Way Back
Publicity Campaign