Jeff Cunningham is the Senior Copywriter and Content Strategist at Old Dominion University, his alma mater. He has more than 15 years of experience in higher education storytelling, including a decade-plus in athletic communications at Hampton University and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Cunningham also has experience as a newspaper reports, sportscaster, and an author.

Adam Anthony is an accomplished marketing and communications leader with expertise in higher education and public affairs. Adam’s career is distinguished by his ability to translate organizational goals into compelling narratives, foster cross-functional teamwork, and deliver measurable results in complex environments. As Director of Marketing and Communications for University Life at George Mason University, Adam oversees strategic marketing, brand management, and digital engagement for more than 45 campus units, driving initiatives that advance student success and institutional impact. He has launched innovative programs and forged strong partnerships in previous roles at American University and William & Mary, plus non-profits and corporate public relations. Adam holds a BA in English from William & Mary and an MA in Government from Johns Hopkins University.

Amy Ostroth is the assistant vice president for communications at the Virginia campus of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). During her two-decade career in educational communications, she has managed all aspects of institutional communications, including marketing, social media, media relations, videography, photography, website, emergency communications and more. Prior to VCOM, she served as senior director of communications at Sweet Briar College in Virginia and director of development communications at Cushing Academy in Massachusetts. She also spent more than a decade at Virginia Tech in a variety of communications roles. A Blacksburg native, Amy earned her M.A. in English at Virginia Tech and a B.A. in English from the University of Mary Washington.

David Stanley owns SilverLining Design, a small design firm in Stuart, Virginia. He began his career at The Roanoke Times as a graphic designer before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, and designing paint schemes, uniforms, and logos for many of the top race teams in NASCAR. In 2001, he started SilverLining Design and worked for himself until accepting a position at Virginia Tech in University Relations where he worked for 12 years. He left Virginia Tech in 2017 to focus on SilverLining Design again and currently works with several departments at Virginia Tech, Radford University, Sweet Briar College and has done some freelance work in print and web for Patrick & Henry Community College, Reynolds Community College, Shenandoah University, and the University of Florida. He works primarily in higher education, tourism, and the wine industry. David graduated from Virginia Tech in the art program with a graphic design concentration, back when they were still chiseling on tablets instead of using iPads and laptops.

David E. Perryman, Ph.D. joined Radford University as associate vice president for strategic communications in January 2024. David leads the university’s branding, marketing and advertising; internal communications; public and media relations; publications and creative services; and digital (website) and social media strategy. He has 25 years of leadership experience in marketing and communications at corporations, including EDS and USAA, as well as at universities, including the SMU Cox School of Business, Texas A&M's Mays Business School, Texas A&M-San Antonio and Appalachian State. David graduated from Wesleyan University (Conn.) with a bachelor’s degree in English, earned a master’s degree in English from SMU and received his Ph.D. in education with a concentration in organizational leadership from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio.

As the Director of Strategic Enrollment Communications, Mallory Griffith coordinates communication efforts to prospective and incoming Radford University undergraduate and graduate students.  A first-gen college student, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Arts and English from James Madison University as well as a master’s degree in Design Thinking from Radford University. Outside of work she enjoys cooking, road trips and spending time with her dog, Pepper. 

Zeke has worked at Virginia Tech for 14 years and currently serves as senior director of marketing and communications. In this role, he partners with colleges to elevate their priorities and align them with the university’s strategic goals. His favorite part of the job is collaborating with the many smart, driven marketing and communications professionals who champion the power and impact of strategic storytelling. Before higher education, Zeke spent 15 years as a journalist, both in the U.S. and abroad. He earned his MBA while working at Virginia Tech and holds a B.A. from Gettysburg College. Outside the office, he loves exploring all the great outdoor adventures the New River Valley has to offer.

Jesse Tuel is senior director of marketing and communications for units at Virginia Tech, where he collaborates with marketing and communications leaders across the colleges and units to align their work against shared priorities. With an editorial background in journalism, magazines, and advancement communications, Jesse arrived at Virginia Tech in 2010 as the editor of Virginia Tech Magazine. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in English, both from Emporia State University in Kansas.

Rochelle Reed is the social media manager at James Madison University, where she works with students and campus partners to elevate JMU stories and connect with the JMU community.  Rochelle is a proud alum of JMU and is honored to steward the growth of JMU's social media presence. With a decade of social media experience, most in higher education, Rochelle leads a community of practice for social media at JMU and provides guidance and support to campus partners across JMU. Her experience as a certified community manager allows her to navigate the flexible and dynamic landscape of social media and community management while ensuring JMU’s online communities thrive and grow.Previously, Rochelle worked at Lehigh University, where she worked on the institutional and admissions social media accounts. 

Jason Vida has been a member of Richmond Athletics since 2017. In addition to overseeing Athletics Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Vida serves as the primary contact for Richmond's Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, and Women's Golf teams. Prior to joining Richmond, Vida worked at ESPN as a producer and researcher on the network’s NFL studio shows. Vida holds a Master’s degree from Temple and a bachelor’s degree from William & Mary, where he was a two-year member of the Tribe football program.

Since assuming the presidency of Radford University in July 2022, President Bret Danilowicz has ensured that the transformative benefits of higher education are readily accessible to students across Virginia.

Under his leadership, Radford University reversed a five-year enrollment decline in fall 2024, successfully completed a $100 million fundraising campaign, and initiated a two-year strategic plan to better serve Southwest Virginia’s educational and economic needs.

Danilowicz has 25 years of leadership experience in higher education; prior to Radford, he was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Florida Atlantic University. 

Danilowicz earned his B.S. in biology from Utica College of Syracuse University, a Ph.D. in zoology from Duke University, an M.A. in education from The Open University (England) and an MBA from Georgia Southern University.

As director of project management in Marketing and Communications, Susan Gill spearheads project management processes and organizational support to the benefit of the division. Additionally, she serves as the co-lead and project manager for Virginia Tech’s annual Giving Day event. She has previously held roles in social media management, website content management, marketing graphic design, and newspaper journalism.

As the director of brand creative, Tiffany Pruden fosters creative alignment and continuity of the university brand by way of leading the visual strategy for brand education, fundraising, stewardship, marketing, and university and presidential priorities. Tiffany’s career experience has been in major retail, non-profit housing restoration, residential development, community outreach, and higher education. 

Robin Khan has been at the George Washington University for nearly a decade, serving as the Director of Communication, Marketing, and Public Affairs for the Elliott School of International Affairs.

She started her career in communications in the telecom industry as an Asia specialist after working for the Miyazaki, Japan, prefectural government as a coordinator of international relations under the JET program.

Prior to working at GW, she was the regional communications manager for the Americas at the International Baccalaureate. She holds a B.A. in English from Tulane University and an M.A. in Japan Regional Studies from the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. Last year she earned a second M.A. in International Policy and Practice from GW's Elliott School of International Affairs. Her cool fact is that she once worked for Vint Cerf, the co-inventor of the internet, as a speechwriter.

Sophia Novak is the web lead at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, where she manages the school’s digital presence across more than 40 websites. Her work focuses on improving accessibility, optimizing user experience, and driving engagement through strategic content and analytics.

Previously, she served as principal web design architect for Penn State University’s Office of General Education, where she led the launch of a university-wide platform and trained faculty in sustainable content management. She also worked as a user experience designer with clients such as Deloitte, Peloton, and Logitech.

Sophia holds a B.S. in human-centered design and development from Penn State and is currently pursuing her MBA at GW.