Tiana Kennedy

About Tiana Kennedy

A communicator by trade and connector at heart, I bring a background in journalism, public relations, marketing, and strategic communications—with additional experience in event planning, volunteer management, partnership development, and community outreach.At the core of every role I’ve held is a belief in people. I’m driven by the power of collective impact—empowering individuals to make a difference and creating space for shared purpose and lasting change.For 17 years, I’ve served in public-facing and communications leadership roles at Colorado State University and the CSU System. In my current role as Associate Vice President for Communications, I lead a team that is responsible for university content creation, media relations, crisis communications, and strategic messaging for CSU in Fort Collins and the CSU System office in Denver. Our work in university communications touches every corner of the campus, and it\'s a privilege to share the stories of the power of CSU\'s people, research and academics. In 2013, I founded PawsCo, a nonprofit animal rescue that has grown to 300+ volunteers and to become one of the most respected rescues in Colorado. Leading PawsCo was foundational for my leadership style, as it taught me how to co-create inclusive culture, foster community, and build mission-driven teams. The organization’s philosophy—“do what you can, when you can”—is a guiding principle I bring to every project and partnership.

Experience

1. Associate Vice Chancellor of External Relations

   Colorado State University System

   Jul 2022 — Present · Denver, CO, US

   Fortunate to manage a team of amazing creatives focused on providing in-house strategic, full-spectrum communications for the CSU System and its initiatives. Work is inclusive of branding, marketing, content creation, advertising, video, photo, graphic design, social media, website, internal communications channels, newsletters, media, and public relations. Partnership development and community outreach efforts are a big part of my role, and I am passionate about finding opportunities to better serve the communities in which we live, and the current and future students we have the privilege of having at our institutions. During my time at the System, I have worked to develop the first scholarship available at any of the three CSU System institutions, and the implementation of an AgConnect Pathway program with Denver Public Schools, as well as the structure for Extended Campus Dual Enrollment at CSU, which allowed a framework for students to receive high school and college credit for the same coursework. More than 100 students benefited in the first semester alone. I am passionate about collaboration and relationship creation across the CSU System and convene multiple Systemwide groups around communications and partnerships to enhance personal and professional connections across the campuses, including quarterly in-person retreats.

Education

• Colorado Christian University

  MBA, Leadership Studies

  2007 — 2010

• Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education

  Crisis Leadership in Higher Education

• Colorado State University

  BA, Technical Journalism

  2002 — 2005

Skills

• Public Relations
• Professional Networking
• Internal Communications
• Media Relations
• Publications
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Customer Service
• Social Networking
• Alumni Relations
• Promoting
• Event Planning
• Powerpoint
• Strategic Communications
• Strategic Planning
• Copywriting
• Team Management
• Event Management
• Customer Relations
• Event Marketing
• Team Building
• Program Development
• Market Research
• Community Relations
• Editing
• Public Speaking
• Blogging
• Non-Profits
• Content Management
• Budgeting
• Mentoring
• Copy Editing
• Community Outreach
• Newsletters
• Donor Development
• Higher Education
• Marketing Communications
• Facebook
• Donor Engagement
• Volunteer Management
• Press Releases