Overview

Diane is an accomplished communications & marketing professional, highly skilled in industry engagement, focused in on higher education and post-secondary success. She holds a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in public administration with graduate certificates in non-profit management and economic development from Wichita State. Prior to Wichita State, she spent 25 years in the non-profit sector holding  marketing, communications, development, advocacy, and executive leadership roles. Outside of Wichita State, Diane is active in the Wichita performing arts community and a 2022 inductee into the Mary Jane Teall Awards Hall of Fame.

Information

Publications
Professional Experience
  • Project Manager
    • Activities related to obtaining the Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) designation from the Association of Public & Land Grant Universities (APLU):
    • Served as lead for the IEP application process for the University, working with faculty and staff to achieve the designation
    • Served as liaison between Wichita State and APLU regarding the IEP process and IEP activities; represented Wichita State on conference calls/meetings/networking with other IEP candidate universities/colleges
    • Continuing to work with Braeburn Square retail partners on marketing strategies and community outreach to further engage the Wichita community
    • Coordinated potential partnership between Wichita Festivals and Wichita State for possible involvement in Autumn & Art, Wonder Fall, and 2021 River Festival events
      o Provided consulting marketing expertise to the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (MDL) rapid stand up & operations
Areas of Service
  • Primary Responsibility: Successfully obtained the Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) designation from the Association of Public & Land Grant Universities (APLU) fall 2022
  • Planned & executed the first APLU IEP Cohort Conference
  • Worked with internal partners & consultants to craft & write the application
  • Created survey instrument & distributed surveys to internal & external partners
  • Collected & synthesized information from multiple sources
  • Socialized recap of the IEP process to internal & external partners
  • Responsible for implementation of & reporting on findings discovered through the IEP process.
  • Established partnerships with community members & across the University: faculty, students, staff, & administration to facilitate discussion of the IEP application process
    • Served as “point person” for specific initiatives to advance the goals of Industry Engagement & Applied Learning, including the Innovation Campus & the National Institute for Research & Digital Transformation (NIRDT)
    • Assisted in all areas of community & industry engagement & applied learning, including talent & workforce development; innovation, entrepreneurship & technology-based economic development; place development through public service, outreach, extension & community engagement
    • Helped coordinate efforts of university activities around the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) Building a Future plan, & the Kansas Department of Commerce strategic plan Framework for Growth.
    • Crafted award-winning applications & presentations, receiving awards from APLU, UEDA, & AURP
    • Worked with Braeburn Square retail partners on marketing strategies & community outreach to further engage the Wichita community
    • Co-managed student applied learning opportunity ShockStarter Marketing & Communication Lab, including hiring & supervising student employees, new client acquisition & project management
    • Provided consulting marketing expertise to the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (MDL) rapid stand up