Who i am
About Me (she/her)
I'm an experienced communications strategist passionate about impactful messaging grounded in storytelling. Driven to create communications that inspire change, I listen and lead with curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Skilled at creating mission-driven, strategic communications that amplify social justice initiatives, I am proud of the mission + passion recipe that has helped me achieve impactful results throughout my career.
Experience Summary
My APPROACH
"We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories. There isn't a stronger connection between people than storytelling."
I lead with curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. When crafting effective and strategic communications, I strive to understand not only the what but the why.
At the heart of any communication, whether a text to a loved one or a press release, lies a story with the potential to build a connection. The sense of community humans inherently long for can be found in stories, our own and each other's. Finding ways to make deeper connections drives my approach. There isn't a tweet too short or an annual report too long to leverage storytelling's essential and powerful ingredients.
University of houston
graduate college of social work
communications
executive Director | 2022 - Current
Director | 2016 - 2022
Manager | 2011 – 2016
As the first, and initially sole, dedicated communications professional, I have spent the last 12 years building a strong brand and elevating the profile of the College locally and nationally. Under my direction, the Comms department has grown to a team of three that I lead in creating bold, memorable, and impactful messaging. Annual campaigns, signature events, and communications products amplify the bold vision of the College – to achieve racial, social, economic, and political justice, local to global.
As Executive Director, I have served as a trusted advisor to the leadership team. Providing strategic direction with a unique communications lens, I contribute to important College initiatives, including establishing and supporting research centers, talent acquisition, and a multi-million dollar building renovation project.
Campaigns
ONWARD | The Next 50 Years
PROJECT
Each year an annual campaign is created with a central theme highlighting the College's vision. Messaging for all communication channels reinforces the theme throughout the year, creating a sense of cohesiveness and community.
PROJECT DETAILS
Paintings were commissioned depicting students, alums, and community activists, and the social justice luminaries who inspire their work. This visually engaging storytelling project showcased modern and historical activism, creating a vehicle to highlight social justice issues and share the history and work of well-known changemakers.
IMPACT
This campaign inspired students and strengthened connections between the College and the community. The portraits featured in this campaign have been included in building renovation plans and will occupy a permanent installation in the College.
Publications
Noteworthy | 50th Anniversary Edition
PROJECT
The year-end publication compiled the most impactful stories from the year while showcasing the theme of the annual campaign and providing another opportunity to reach stakeholders via a different channel.
PROJECT DETAILS
This 24-page publication was printed and mailed to donors, alums, and social work educators. The content was repurposed for web and socials, highlighting individual stories with links to view the entire publication online.
IMPACT
Mailed to social work educators responsible for U.S. News and World Report rankings for social work programs; this project was crucial for reaching those stakeholders contributing to an increase in rankings the following year. (#24 to #22).
Events
Social Justice Solutions | Speaking of Social Justice
PROJECT
College events were streamlined into four signature events branded to create cohesiveness in messaging and reinforce the College's vision – to achieve racial, social, economic, and political justice, local to global.
PROJECT DETAILS
Social Justice Solutions is an annual event with thought leaders and the community to explore action-oriented strategies to affect social change. The Speaking of Social Justice Maconda Brown O'Connor lecture featured the author of the book selected for the Dean's Summer Social Justice Reading Series.
IMPACT
College events strengthened community engagement locally and nationally and increased awareness of issues critical to achieving social justice. To date, registrants for in-person and virtual events total over 25,000. During 2020, all events were converted to an online format. To date, YouTube subscribers total over 9,000, and views for social justice events total almost 700,000.
Initiatives
Racial Justice Principles
PROJECT
In May 2022, the College formally adopted seven racial justice
principles developed in community with our Students, Faculty, Staff, Adjunct Faculty, Alumni, and Practicum Instructors.
PROJECT DETAILS
The committee leading this effort initially asked for a web presence and
a flyer to share the principles with students. I advised that a more
detailed strategy was needed and developed an internal and external communications plan to include all stakeholders and leverage the announcement to strengthen existing messaging and build cohesiveness with the College's vision that drives its brand.
IMPACT
Leadership has reported positive feedback from colleagues in the social work education community.
Brand Building\Org Launch
upEND Movement
PROJECT
IIn 2019, leaders from the Graduate College of Social Work and the Center for the Study of Social Policy began work on a collaborative movement to abolish the existing child welfare system. On June 19, 2020, upEND Movement was launched.
PROJECT DETAILS
The upEND brand was thoughtfully and strategically developed. I led the development of the logo and brand suite and contributed to developing the website and social media presence. Eventually, I became lead for all Comms efforts post-launch and assisted with recruiting, hiring, and training the first two full-time employees and a part-time consultant.
IMPACT
upEND has inspired a national movement and influenced conversations and thought leadership about the child welfare system. On December 4, 2022, two years after its launch, upEND was featured on CBS This Morning on
Amplifying Research
HEAR Lab | Action Research Podcast
PROJECT
The Hub for Engaged Action Research (HEAR) Lab aims to elevate
the visibility and showcase the public impact of social work education, research, and practice.
PROJECT DETAILS
I provided strategic direction to the Associate Dean and an engaged
group of students, guiding the development of core messaging and a communications strategy. I assisted with hiring and training a part-time staff member and spearheaded efforts to launch a podcast by leveraging college resources and encouraging a staff member to develop new skills while guiding the process using project management principles.
IMPACT
The HEAR Lab has brought visibility to anti-racist research, which aligns with the College's racial justice principles strengthening the national presence of the College and Ph.D. program.
Community Collaborations
Hate Crime Report
PROJECT
A community partner, Houston Coalition Against Hate, commissioned a report led by three faculty members to provide critical information about hate crime responses.
PROJECT DETAILS
Because one of the goals for the report was widespread distribution among community organizations, the information needed a visually appealing and user-friendly design and online accessibility.
IMPACT
This report was branded to align the work of the College with existing community efforts on social justice issues. Its visibility showcases thought leadership creating opportunities for future partnerships.
Results
- From 2011 - 2016, I built the infrastructure for the Communications Office, launched a new website, established and grew an active social media presence, built processes, and established intra-university relationships to leverage critical resources.
- From 2016 -2022, after the adoption of the College's first strategic plan, I led efforts to establish a bold, unique brand among social work programs.
- In 2012* the College ranked #38 nationally. During the next ranking cycle in 2018, the College ranked #24, marking the first-ever move into the top 25 programs. In 2020, the College moved up again to #22.
- Since 2016, College enrollment has increased by 44%, and the number of faculty has increased by 52%. Both metrics are a testament to the strength and visibility of the College's brand and national reputation.
*NOTE: The U.S. News and World Report ranking cycle for graduate social work programs varies.
Skills
- Brand Development and Messaging
- Internal and External Communications
- Project Management
- Strategic Planning and Alignment
- Social Media Strategy and Campaigns
- Public Relations
- AP Style
- Journalism
presentations
Making Research Accessible – A Comms Case Study | Social Work MarComm Professionals (SWMCP) BiAnnual Meeting
Social Media for Academics – Best Practices and Pitfalls | Black Administrators, Researchers and Scholars in Social Work (BARS) Meeting
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
George Floyd Memorial Foundation | Communications Consultant
Rise SC | Youth Soccer Coach
Energy Institute High School | PTO Communications Chair
The Fountain of Praise | Epiphany Benefit Concert Communications Consultant
Wilson Montessori Elementary | PTO
Anti-Racism Course Development | Writer and Researcher
Cynosure's Global Responsibility Webinar | Event Consultant and Panelist
LEADERSHIP
2018 | University of Houston Staff Council
2019 | Executive Leadership Team, Inaugural GCSW Staff Council
2020 | Founding Member, Social Work MarComm Professionals (SWMCP)
Education
Harvard University
Master of Liberal Arts, Journalism
indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Bachelor of Arts, English
Testimonials
“I had the honor and privilege of working with Connease for seven years. She was a trusted advisor and thought partner with a talent for transforming ideas into truly remarkable products."
Alan Dettlaff
UH Graduate College of Social Work Professor and Former Dean
Creative director
“I asked Connease to serve as a panelist for my company's inaugural Global Responsibility webinar. Not only did she agree to participate, she generously shared her time and expertise to advise the planning team on event format and goals.”
Luv Robinson
Sr. Manager, Aesthetics Inclusion
and Customer Education
marketing manager
Connect with me
connease@mac.com
713-304-8990
www.conneasewarren.com
connect with me!
