Michelle Darby

Communications and External Relations Manager

Responsibilities

Implement and maintain consistent branding standards for the department's website, social media, and external events as well as printed and marketing materials. Produce newsletters for alumni and peer publications. Increased engagement across all social media channels by creating compelling content, maintaining channel consistency, and promoting the department successes and offerings.

Craft and contribute stories about the department, faculty achievements and our students to VT News and BEAM website as well as social media.

Maintain and update BEAM website to ensure accurate information is available while furthering the mission of the department. Work with each program chair to update content, create new pages and sections, as well as streamline verbiage for greatest impact.

Coordinate and manage external relations related to career development, such as our annual fall Career Fair, industry partner campus visits, in addition manage conference appearances in terms of swag, materials, brand presence, etc.

Education

Attended Roanoke College for undergraduate studies, majoring in Sociology and Communications, Hollins University for graduate studies; and, Indiana University's Kelley School of Business for a intensive Executive Leadership Program.

Completed several leadership programs including Leadership Roanoke Valley, Virginia Tech (Roanoke Center) 21st Century Leadersihp Academy, and the Virginia Tech Leadership Excellence program.

Background

Prior to joining Virginia Tech, worked in the non-profit sector as the Vice President of Marketing for Goodwill Industries of the Valleys and Vice President of Resource Development for United Way. Also, served as the Executive Director of the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce.

Led all marketing, communications, graphic design, creative, and client facing activities for 14 states as the Manager of the FEP (Federal Employee Program) Marketing and Field Service team for Anthem BlueCross and BlueShield for close to 16 years.