Meridian Community College: Hill Selected For National Council Of Marketing And Public Relations Honor

Press release from Meridian Community College:

November 8, 2021

Leia Hill, Meridian Community College vice president for Institutional Advancement
and the executive director of the MCC Foundation, has been named Communicator of the
Year for District II of the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR).

NCMPR’s Communicator of the Year recognizes a member for leadership and ability in
college communications. Hill was selected for this honor from District II, which includes
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, and
the Bahamas. As a district recipient, she will be nominated to compete for the national
award.

The National Council for Marketing & Public Relations is the only organization that
exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and
technical colleges. As one of the fastest-growing affiliates of the American Association
of Community Colleges, NCMPR has more than 1,500 members from nearly 550 colleges
across the United States and Canada.

With nearly 15 years in fundraising and marketing in community colleges and almost
10 years of experience in corporate sales and marketing, Hill has led award-winning
efforts, including that of the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi
(CPRAM). In addition, she has extensive experience as a speaker and consultant in
personal and corporate branding and social media marketing.

Virginia Moreland, District II director, said presenting Communicator of the Year
is always a highlight of the district conference and the award recognizes communicators
who are doing exceptional work at their colleges and communities. “We’ve had some
amazingly talented people receive this award over the years. District II is proud
to add Leia to that pantheon,” Moreland said.

MCC President Thomas Huebner applauds Hill’s efforts in leading the College Communication
and Foundation departments. "Leia is a change agent who believes in our mission and
the importance of Meridian Community College in the lives of our students and in the
life of this community. She is always looking for ways to tell our story better and
to connect more strongly to the people we serve. She has an excellent team and guides
them with a strong vision for excellence. I am exceptionally proud she is being recognized
for this honor and believe she is well-deserving."

Hill, who is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership from the University
of Southern Mississippi, holds a bachelor's degree in communication from Mississippi
University for Women, a graduate certificate in social media marketing from the University
of Florida, and a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of
Mississippi. She is also an alumna of MCC. Earlier this year, Hill was named by the
Mississippi Business Journal as one of 50 Leading Businesswomen in Mississippi.

Hill credits her MCC colleagues. “This recognition belongs, in large part, to MCC’s
College Communications team. I collaborate with the best in our business. At MCC we
have the talent, willingness to adapt, commitment, mutual trust, and respect needed
to work together as a team. It’s awesome to work with people who always contribute
to big ideas and always deliver the results. It’s the dream,” she said.

This press release was produced by Meridian Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.