Kirsten Smith

• Passionate public relations professional with six years of experience in higher education. 
• Efficient communicator with a keen attention to detail and drive to develop cogent connections, accessible visuals, and inclusive messaging. 
• Effective multitasker with demonstrated success managing several social media accounts.

Digital and Social Media Coordinator, Penn State College of the Liberal Arts

University Park, PA | March 2024–May 2025

• Coordinated the preparation and dissemination of the college’s strategic digital communications through social media (Hootsuite), digital signage (FWI Cloud), email marketing (Mailchimp), and websites (Wordpress)
• Contributed to content for fact sheets, brochures, articles, newsletters, speaker remarks, social media, and other internal and external communications
• Monitored news and media presence; track social media and website analytics
• Advised academic and administrative centers, departments, research institutes, and programs on communications best practices and University guidelines
• Edited and proofread digital and print publications, including advertisements, articles, brochures, mass email marketing campaigns. flyers, newsletters, posters, social media posts, and webpages
• Organized, planned, and promoted special projects and events
• Handled media inquiries and fostered relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Public Relations Generalist, Penn State College of the Liberal Arts

University Park, PA | June 2019–March 2024

• Researched, wrote, edited, and distributed articles and other promotional materials that highlighted student, faculty, and center/unit accomplishments; strengthened student and alumni engagement; and enhanced the college’s reputation
• Advised college units on University branding and editorial/visual policy by serving as the Liberal Arts Marketing Communications representative for the University Editor system, reviewing, editing, and approving requests from academic and administrative units per fiscal year
• Organized, planned, and promoted special projects and events
• Handled media inquiries and fostered relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Public Relations Intern, Pennsylvania Department of Health

Harrisburg, PA | May 2018 – August 2018

• Researched and distributed daily health press clips to all DOH staff
• Designed guidelines, flyers, and materials for PA Be Antibiotics Aware art and video competitions
• Facilitated and managed paid and earned media tiers of a $450,000 statewide antibiotic awareness campaign, including the execution of a nursing home event
• Wrote evergreen content press releases distributed statewide
• Pitched events to media outlets in different regions of Pennsylvania
• Updated content and design of Antibiotic Awareness pages on the new website

Indiana University of Pennsylvania 

August 2015–December 2018

• Bachelor of Arts, Journalism and Public Relations
• Minor in Marketing
• Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA)