Jackson State University is pleased to announce that Karyn S. Hollingsworth, Ph.D., will become the executive Director for University Communications and Marketing, effective August 3. Hollingsworth currently serves as the director of communications for the Lee Business School, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she manages internal and external communications, marketing, media relations and advertising.
Anthony Holloman, vice president for Institutional Advancement, said, “We are very excited to welcome Dr. Hollingsworth back to Jackson State University. She brings a vast amount of experience and expertise, and we are sure that University Communications and Marketing will benefit greatly from her leadership.” University Communications and Marketing is a part of the Division of Institutional Advancement led by Holloman.
Prior to her current role, Hollingsworth served as web content specialist and alumni communications specialist both in the office of Marketing and Public Relations at UNLV. She also completed a stint as communications/marketing coordinator in the Office of Public Affairs and Development for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. While serving in the role of assistant general manager, Office of Public Relations at Jackson State, Hollingsworth helped launch the inaugural edition of The Jacksonian magazine and hosted a weekly campus TV news show.
“I am thrilled to be coming home and joining the Jackson State University family again. I am proud of all the progress that has been made through the years from the technological advances to the expansion of academic offerings. Jackson State is not only a great HBCU, but a great university. I look forward to working with everyone on campus and in the community to enhance the One JSU brand,” Hollingsworth said.
Hollingsworth earned a doctor of philosophy in higher education degree and a Master of Arts degree in higher education with a concentration in student personnel services from the University of Mississippi. Her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism was awarded by the University of Memphis.
She received the Customer Service Excellence Award, Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, in 2014 and is a member of Sigma Delta Chi/Society of Professional Journalists and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Higher Education (CASE).