Laura Pohl

Career summary: 

Extensive experience in higher education communications, including speechwriting for college president, developing communications strategies and producing content for print publications, web, social media, admission marketing and alumni relations/fundraising.

2003-present: North Central College, Naperville, Ill. 

      Editorial Director, Office of Marketing and Communications 

• Writes President’s speeches for Board of Trustees meetings, Commencement and public events; oversees and writes messaging for President for print publications like annual report. 
• Leads editorial team to develop content for alumni magazine/annual report, website, admission marketing publications, fundraising communications and social media. Serves as editor for alumni magazine.
• Serves on Crisis Task Force and handles on-call crisis duties. Handled media and campus communications for a major campus crisis. 
• Supervises communications specialist and senior writer. Created position description for new communications specialist position and conducted hiring process.
• Hires, trains and mentors student writer-interns. 
• Technology: Box, Datatel, RT Tracker, Redbooth, Flickr
• Special projects: Served on campus-wide committee to transition from terms to semesters; handled communication duties related to Strategic Planning process and presidential inauguration; helped formulate position description for presidential search process; assisted with application for Phi Beta Kappa; developed print collateral for capital projects. 

1995-2003: Freelance journalist based in Wheaton, Ill.   

• Accepted assignments from Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald and Business Ledger. 

1990-1995: Freelance writer based in Kalamazoo, Mich. 

Previous positions: 

• Senior writer, Northern States Power, Minneapolis, Minn.
• Publications editor, General Mills, Minneapolis, Minn. 
• Personnel assistant and employee newspaper staff writer, Caterpillar Tractor Company, Peoria, Ill.  
• Assistant director, public information office, Iowa House of Representatives, Des Moines, Iowa.  

Professional Involvement: 

• Council for Advancement and Support of Education (regional and national conferences)
• Association of American Colleges & Universities (national conference) 
• Northern Illinois Colleges and Universities PR/Marketing Directors Group