University Communications at Jackson State University was recognized by the Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) for outstanding work in the field of public relations during the Lantern Awards ceremony held Oct. 1 at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss.
Awards, including Certificates of Merit, Awards of Excellence and Lantern Awards were given in 25 categories. University Communications received 10 awards.
The awards were given for a variety of projects, publications and campaigns completed by a team of individuals from various departments within University Communications.
Public Relations Department awards:
- Award of Excellence, Community Relations Program, JSU Madison communications plan
- Award of Excellence (Shelia Byrd), Feature Story, Cancer survivor finds new lease on life at JSU
- Award of Merit, External Magazine, Jacksonian Magazine
- Award of Merit, Special Purpose Publication, JSU Creative Awards
- Award of Merit (Shelia Byrd), Feature Story, JSU alum providing medical care to Boston Marathon bombing victims
Marketing Department awards:
- Award of Excellence, Integrated Marketing Communications Program, Tiger Commitment Challenge Award of Merit, Special Purpose Publication, JSU Homecoming 2012
- Award of Merit, Integrated Marketing Communications Program, 2013 Summer Camp Campaign
JSUTV awards:
- Award of Merit, Broadcast Production, Path to Pro Day Documentary
WJSU awards:
- Award of Merit, Special Events, Battle of the Saxes
The Southern Public Relations Federation is a network of public relations professionals from Alabama, north Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi who share a common interest in the public relations profession.
Below is the University Communications team:
Eric Stringfellow, Executive Director
eric.d.stringfellow@jsums.edu
601-979-1328
Eric sets the vision and directs major communications initiatives that advance university goals, build brand awareness and increase support for the university. He oversees all departments within University Communications including Public Relations, Marketing, JSU TV, WJSU 88.5 FM, Athletic Media Relations and the university’s website.
Franshell Fort, Administrative Assistant
franshell.m.fort@jsums.edu
601-979-1855
Franshell provides administrative support to the Executive Director of University Communications and supports the programs and staff in the communications area.
D’Artagnan Winford, Art Director
dartagan.winford@jsums.edu
601-979-2951
D’Artagnan designs marketing and other communication materials for major university initiatives.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Jean Gordon Cook, Director of Public Relations
jean.g.cook@jsums.edu
601-979-1571
Jean directs public relations activities to enhance the visibility and image of the university. She fields media questions, pitches stories to media and finds alternative means to communicate the university’s messages and successes. Jean also leads production of the university’s flagship magazine, The Jacksonian, and writes/edits/produces content for the JSU news site, press releases, publications and internal/external communications.
Shelia Byrd, Media Relations Specialist
shelia.r.hardwell-byrd@jsums.edu
601-979-1483
Shelia writes/edits/produces content for the JSU news site, press releases, publications and internal/external communications. She also promotes JSU events and activities on television and radio broadcasts, pitches stories to the media nationwide and facilitates news coverage.
Tommiea P. Jackson, Photography Services
tommiea.p.jackson@jsums.edu
601-979-2950
Tommiea shoots photos and plans and coordinates photography shoots to gather images for the university’s website, publications and its marketing and public relations efforts. She also maintains an archive of quality images and produces content for the JSU news site, press releases, publications and internal/external communications.
Spencer McClenty, New Media Coordinator
spencer.l.mcclenty@jsums.edu
601-979-1457
Spencer is responsible for web-based content creation and the development and implementation of social media strategies to support the university’s public relations and marketing goals. Spencer also produces multimedia content for the JSU news site, press releases, publications and internal/external communications.
MARKETING
Pamela Berry-Johnson, Marketing Manager
pamela.d.berry@jsums.edu
601-979-0623
Pamela leads marketing campaigns that clearly and consistently articulate the university’s brand. She guides the university’s marketing team, handles media buys and oversees acceptable printing standards and practices.
Jamea Adams-Ginyard, Assistant Marketing Manager
jamea.adams-ginyard@jsums.edu
601-979-2274
Jamea assists the marketing manager with implementing marketing plans for the university, with a particular focus on promoting and marketing JSU’s athletic events.
WJSU
Gina P. Carter-Simmers, General Manager, WJSU
gina.p.carter-simmers@jsums.edu
601-979-8672
Gina leads the day-to-day operations of the 24-hour broadcast station WJSU 88.5 FM, including personnel and fiscal management.
Dale M. Morris, Station Engineer
dale.m.morris@jsums.edu
601-979-8675
Dale is responsible for technical operations at WJSU from the studio to the transmitter, and he is responsible for programs produced at WJSU.
Larissa Hale, Music Manager
larissa.c.hale@jsums.edu
601-979-2877
Larissa acquires/selects new music from record labels to add to the station rotation and assists in selecting national programs to add to the station lineup. She trains all on-air announcers and assists in every aspect of the station from news to engineering.
L.A. Warren, Community and Public Affairs Producer, WJSU-FM
la.warren.news@jsums.edu
601-979-0366
While simultaneously serving as the news director, L.A. produces programming, provides news coverage, hosts local features and trains and supervises student announcers.
JSUTV
Keith Collins, JSUTV Station Manager
keith.r.collins@jsums.edu
601-979-2993
Keith manages station facility and operations. He produces and directs remote and studio productions and coordinates staff and student activities.
Antonio Smith, Assistant Production Manager
antonio.m.smith@jsums.edu
601-979-1852
Antonio is the videographer, video editor, writer, producer, director, technical director, master control operator, floor director, graphics operator and consultant for various studio productions, field productions and marketing projects. He is the Executive Producer of Direct Line and serves as the contact person in the Production Manager’s absence.
Germaine Williams, Programming and Promotions Coordinator
601-979-2862
Germaine strategically arranges and distributes JSUTV’s daily broadcast schedule, develops new programming opportunities and promotes the station on multimedia outlets. She also provides administrative support to station manager.
WEBMASTER
Gerard L. Howard, Webmaster
gerard.howard@jsums.edu
601-979-1073
Gerard creates, maintains and manages the university’s web presence. He also provides training and technical assistance to university departments.
ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Wesley Peterson, Manager/Athletic Media
wesley.l.peterson@jsums.edu
601-979-5899
Wesley oversees operations of the athletic media area, including oversight for football and men’s basketball. He coordinates media relations, maintains the department’s website, produces game day programs and media guides, covers game day events, compiles game and season statistics, and reports results to the NCAA, the conference, and media outlets. Wesley also assists with training and supervising student and game day staff.
John Westbrook, Assist. Manager/Athletic Media
john.w.westbrook@jsums.edu
601-979-6943
John oversees day-to-day operations of the athletic media area, including oversight for volleyball, women’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis and softball. He coordinates media relations, maintains the department’s website, produces game day programs and media guides, covers game day events, compiles game and season statistics and reports results to the NCAA, the conference and media outlets. John trains and supervises work-study students and game day staff. He also controls the social media content.