communication

The demand for effective communication at the campus level has never been more urgent and yet most administrators come into the role with little public relations expertise or background. Schools must navigate incredibly complex societal issues while they compete for students, engage families, and inspire staff with ever-changing technology.

 This workshop includes practical strategies for school leaders with real-world stories, best-practice guidelines, and practical communication checklists to help school leaders better reach their audience. From social media and websites to crisis and internal messaging, this workshop will help you evaluate systems and supports that can make communicating easier and more effective.

 We will discuss what you need, how it can be done quickly and inexpensively, and how to measure success so that it can be shared and replicated. Not every school or district can afford a communication professional; this workshop is the next best thing. 

Mississippi School Public Relations Association named Heather Lenard Communicator of the Year in 2019 in addition to numerous awards for her work in school public relations and marketing. Heather is a professional communicator who loves to help organizations harness the power of effective storytelling to convey values, inspire emotion and create personal connections with customers, colleagues, and stakeholders.

Heather possesses a masters degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communication from Mississippi College and bachelors degree from University of Mississippi. Heather served for 8 years as the Director of Outreach for Get2College, a non-profit college access company.

 Currently she serves as the Director of Communication for the Oxford School District. In Colorado, Heather served Harrison School District Two in Colorado Springs, Colorado as the Outreach & Recruitment Specialist where she was part of a National Gold Medallion award-winning PR team. In April 2014, Heather stepped out of education to serve the City of Colorado Springs as the Marketing and Communications Manager for the Colorado Springs Airport. In this role, she managed all aspects of the Airport's marketing, public relations, advertising and media relations, and communications programs and served as the Airport's 24/7 media contact.

 Heather served two years as the President for the Mississippi School PR Association. She serves on the Board of Directors for the United Way. Heather is 2013 graduate of Leadership Pikes Peak and a 2010 graduate of Leadership Jackson. Heather is the owner of 
Three-20-Agency, a private communication consulting company.

 She lives in Oxford, Mississippi with her husband Daniel, who is the Director of Oncology at Baptist Memorial Hospital. They are involved at Pinelake Church and enjoy dance parties with their daughter, Maggie.