Mark Swart

About Mark Swart

I am a corporate and government communications professional with extensive experience in media relations, high-profile crisis communications, strategic communications planning, and leadership. My areas of expertise include:• Communications Strategy, Planning and Operations • Crisis Communications• Reputation Management• Leadership and Management • Media Relations and Media Analysis• Social Media Program Management• Brand Journalism - Writing, Editing and Photography• Internal Communications • Website Manager / Content Curator / CMS• Executive Communications• Community Outreach

Experience

1. Associate Director for Communications

   Sc Commission On Higher Education

   Jan 2022 — Present · Columbia, SC, US

   I lead external and internal communications at South Carolina\'s coordinating board for higher education, an entity that provides strategic and collaborative leadership to improve the higher education system and expand opportunities for all citizens, while also serving as an oversight entity on behalf of the General Assembly. I develop and implement communications strategies to promote agency activities and initiatives in a consistent and synchronized manner across all mediums and channels, often in coordination with external partner organizations. I also lead agency media relations, website and intranet management, oversee our social media efforts and provide quality control for high visibility briefings and reports. Working closely with executive leadership and staff, I ensure all communications are accurate, timely and relevant while also strengthening the brand and reputation of the agency with stakeholders and the general public.

Education

• Gretna High School

  General Diploma

  1988 — 1990

• Radford University

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Communication and Media Studies

  1992 — 1995

• Defense Information School

  Intermediate Public Affairs Specialist Course

  2006 — 2006

• Defense Information School

  Army Military Occupational Specialty 46Q (Print Journalist), Basic Public Affairs Specialist Course

  1996

• Joint Forces Staff College, National Defense University

  Joint Information Operation Planners Course

  2012

• U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy

  Sergeants Major Course

  2012 — 2013

Skills

• Crisis Communications
• Strategy
• Operational Planning
• Public Policy
• Military
• Photography
• Executive Leadership
• Copy Editing
• Marketing
• Brand Management
• Information Operations
• Crisis Management
• Enterprise Marketing
• Security Clearance
• Communications Planning
• Strategic Communications
• Army
• Press Releases
• National Security
• Military Operations
• Policy
• Public Affairs
• Small Business Marketing
• Management
• Afghanistan
• Organizational Communication
• Content Marketing
• Project Management
• Internal & External Communications
• Social Media
• Social Media Marketing
• Editing
• Communication
• Editorial
• Public Relations
• Internal Communications
• Media Relations
• Defense Support to Civil Authorities
• Corporate Communications
• Public Speaking