Andrea "Lee" Harrison, Ed.D.

Experience

Chief Advancement Officer/Dean of Advancement and PR; Executive Director of Southeast Education Foundation

Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College, Cumberland, KY, May 2024-present 

• Established an annual giving campaign to support institutional needs
• Secured three new scholarship endowment funds totaling $71,000
• Manage $11 million in active grants supporting $3.7 million in annual operational aid and 47 employees
• Completed unresolved reporting on 12 grants, safeguarding $3.5 million of total operational aid
• Received $203,417 grant extension to support Advancement Office
• Manage the college foundation, leading board development, governance, and financial operations, including monitoring a $1.5 million investment portfolio
• Hosted a successful Heart of the Region constituent banquet
• Cultivate community relationships and represent the college at regional and state events, advocating for institutional priorities
• Developing a Young Professionals initiative in partnership with regional Chambers and Economic Development groups
• Lead strategic communication efforts to create a positive public impression of the college, including media relations, social media, marketing and advertising, website, and internal messaging
• Integrating Appalachian Archives into community outreach, educational initiatives, and institutional storytelling
• Implemented process improvements to enhance operational efficiency, donor stewardship, and transparency
• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to overall college operations and strategic initiatives

Vice President for Partner Services

Clark Higher Ed, Asheville, NC, 2023-2024

• Managed lead generation and student search strategies for 15 institutions in 9 states
• Conducted historical analyses of enrollment and matriculation trends and built custom predictive models for each institution
• Negotiated contracts and licensed 1.4 million prospective student names, resulting in an average lead conversion rate 70% higher than the national average and a 5% gain over previous year
• Managed digital marketing campaigns totaling $1.2 million in annual ad spend for partner institutions, analyzing performance metrics and making strategic recommendations to improve performance, optimize budget allocation, and maximize ROI
• Participated in multiple on-site campus discovery and strategy visits, conducting stakeholder engagement sessions to assess the institution's brand, campus culture, challenges, and opportunities
• Collaborated with internal teams, informing campaign development, audience targeting, and messaging
• Updated process manuals and project management best practices
• Ensured compliance with industry regulations, data privacy policies, and client-specific guidelines

Associate Professor of Communications

Milligan University, Johnson City, TN, 2022-2023

• Served as a tenure-track faculty member in the Performing, Visual, and Communicative Arts area, contributing to teaching, curriculum development, and student success
• Taught Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Communication, Public Relations Strategies and Practices, and Writing for PR
• Led a successful curriculum revision of the Strategic Communication major, aligning coursework with industry best practices and the Commission on Public Relations Education (CPRE) standards
• Co-directed the student media agency
• Developed a promotional and recruitment plan for the program
• Achieved high student evaluation scores (average 4.25/5)
• Actively participated in faculty meetings, university initiatives, and cross-departmental collaborations to support academic excellence

Vice President for Enrollment & Marketing, 2007-2022
Vice President for Communications, 2006-2007
Associate Vice President for Communications, 2003-2006
Director of Public Relations & Marketing, 1994-2003

Milligan University, Johnson City, TN

Enrollment:

• Led the integration of marketing and enrollment management into a unified department of 25 professionals
• Achieved multiple years of record enrollments while increasing academic qualifications and student diversity to institutional highs
• Developed and executed a comprehensive strategic enrollment management plan with initiatives in recruitment, retention, student success, communications, and diversity
• Designed and implemented a comprehensive Student Success Program, achieving an average first-time retention rate of 78%, overall retention rate of 90%, and a 65% graduation rate, all well above state and national averages
• Revised the New Student Orientation program, increasing yield and achieving student satisfaction and engagement levels consistently higher than national averages
• Assisted with financial aid strategy for over $20 million annually
• Collaborated with community colleges to launch and supervise off-site degree-completion programs
• Helped establish the A.A./A.S. Transfer Agreement and Tennessee Transfer Pathways Program, improving access and affordability
• Strengthened dual enrollment partnerships with regional high schools and homeschool organizations
• Developed and led an academic and career summer camp program, providing youth with early exposure to college and career pathways
• Planned and executed multiple high-profile special events annually, strengthening relationships with key constituents
• Established and led the Diversity Services Office and Multicultural Education Resource Team, resulting in underrepresented minority students expanding from 7% in 2007 to 22% in 2022
• Led major process and technology enhancements, optimizing the application management system to improve efficiency and yield
• Served as a key member of the senior leadership team, collaboratively overseeing and managing a $40 million budget to support institutional operations and strategic initiatives

Academic:

• Held administrative faculty status, actively participating in faculty meetings and serving on multiple committees to support institutional governance
• Collaborated with faculty and Cabinet on launch or revision of over a dozen undergrad and 10 graduate programs to meet workforce needs
• Partnered with faculty to develop accelerated three-year degree programs and early acceptance pathways in several disciplines
• Participated in three successful reaffirmations of accreditation from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in 2002, 2012, and 2021
• Supported program accreditations, including nursing (CCNE), business (ACBSP), teacher education (NCATE/CAEP), counseling (CACREP), physician assistant (ARC-PA), and engineering (ABET)
• Contributed to the revision of the General Education Requirements

PR & Marketing:

• Directed integrated marketing communication strategies to drive enrollment and fund raising success
• Led the successful rebranding of Milligan College to Milligan University in 2020, strengthening institutional identity and market positioning
• Contributed to communication strategies supporting $5 million in annual fundraising and $40+ million capital campaigns
• Assisted with grant projects ranging from $40,000 to $2 million
• Served as chief editor of the alumni and constituent magazine, refining editorial focus and visual branding, doubling distribution, and consistently achieving the highest alumni giving percentage among peer institutions
• Earned multiple advertising and design awards from the Tri-Cities Advertising Federation and Public Relations Society of America for excellence in marketing and communications
• Revamped the college's digital presence, implementing a new content management system and driving substantial increases in website traffic
• Directed a proactive media relations program and served as the institution's spokesperson
• Increased regional and national visibility, contributing to the university's consistent recognition in multiple national rankings
• Championed organizational culture strategies that boosted employee satisfaction, earning "Great College to Work For" recognition by The Chronicle of Higher Education
• Developed and implemented a comprehensive crisis management and communication plan, ensuring preparedness for emergencies
• Led crisis response efforts for student tragedies, violent weather, utility outages, and the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating timely communication and institutional response

Resident Director, Student Development, 1994-1999

Milligan University, Johnson City, TN

• Managed two residence halls housing 140 students
• Recruited, trained, and led resident assistants to ensure student support
• Supervised dorm council in planning and executing student programming
• Developed and authored a policy and procedure manual for staff
• Enforced college policies while promoting a positive culture
• Provided initial crisis response and conflict resolution

Other Teaching Experience

Adjunct Instructor, 2003-2024

Milligan University, Johnson City, TN

• Taught Public Speaking, PR Strategies, PR Practices, PR Writing, Marketing Management, Interpersonal Communications

English Instructor, 2003

Upward Bound Math Science
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College, Cumberland, KY

• Taught grammar skills in 4-week summer program

Adjunct Online Instructor, 2014-2019

College of Arts and Sciences, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA

• Taught Communication Studies, Cross Cultural Communication, Group Communication, Project Management, Organizational Communication for Professionals, Writing for Strategic Communication, Developing the Strategic Campaign

Education

Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership, 2012

Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA
Dissertation: Prolonging the Life of Colleges on the Edge: The Impact of Internal Communication on Employee Satisfaction 

M.A., Organizational Communication, 2002

Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA
Thesis: Developing an Internal Communication Plan 

B.S., Communication, with honors, 1994

Minors: Business Administration, Youth Ministry 
Milligan University, Johnson City, TN

Additional Studies

Executive Leadership Institute, Presnell Fellow, Inaugural Class 
Tennessee Independent Colleges & Universities Association, Nashville, TN, 2016-17

Executive Development Institute in Finance and Accounting 
Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 2014

HERS Institute for Women in Higher Education Administration 
Bryn Mawr College, PA, 2004

Institute for Research on Higher 
Education, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2002

Certified Digital Marketing Professional & AMA Professional Certified Marketer PCM in Digital Marketing (dual certification) Digital Marketing Institute, American Marketing Association, 2024

College Committees

SKCTC/KCTCS

• KCTCS Conference Planning
• Advancement & Special Events, Chair
• Appalachian Center/Museum
• Crisis and Safety Management
• Endowment Review, Chair
• Graduation
• Grant Advisory Committee, Chair
• Marketing, Co-Chair
• SACSCOC Accreditation
• Scholarship
• Strategic Enrollment Management
• Festivals Committee

Milligan

• Strategic Planning
• Long Range Planning
• Budget
• General Education Requirements
• COVID-19 Response Team
• Academic Program Assessment
• Strategic Growth Task Force, Co-Chair
• SACSCOC Reaffirmation, Governance/Administration Compliance Report
• Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)
• Capital Campaign Steering
• Presidential Inauguration and Transition, Chair
• Presidential Retirement, Chair
• Crisis Management Command Team
• Student Mentor & Advisor
• Sesquicentennial Celebration, Co-Chair
• Faculty Advisor, SGA
• Seminary Merger and Transition
• Student Publications Board
• Logo Identity Standards
• Multicultural Education Resource

Boards & Activities

• Benham Schoolhouse Inn Board
• Southeast Kentucky Hiking Club, founding Co-Chair
• Tri-Cities KY Main Street Program, Consultant & Volunteer
• Tri-Cities KY Strategic Plan Work Group
• PossumFest, Co-Chair
• Harlan Cub Scout Troop 149, Committee
• Cumberland Missionary Baptist Church, Children's Leader Volunteer
• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Tri-Cities TN/VA Chapter, Former Officer
• Isaiah 117 (foster care support), Founding Board
• Workforce Development Committee, Elizabethton and Johnson City Chambers of Commerce
• TN College Public Relations Association
• Appalachian College Association, PR Council
• Women in Higher Education in TN
• Hiking Blog: fromthesehills.wordpress.com

Honors & Awards

• Rebecca Caudill Public Library Poetry Contest, "Harlan County: Where I Come From," 3rd Place, 2024
• Milligan Service Award, 25 years, -
• Friend of the Goah Scholars Award for Furthering a Commitment to Diversity, Milligan University, 2013
• Outstanding Graduate Award, School of Education, Regent University, 2012
• Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges & Universities, Regent University, 2012
• 40 Under Forty Award, Tri-Cities (TN/VA) Business Journal
• Leadership Class, Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, 2001

PR/Publication Awards

• Gold Award, Inauguration Campaign, Tennessee College PR Association, 2012
• Silver Award, Admissions Viewbook, Tennessee College PR Association, 2012
• Gold ADDY Award, Milligan Magazine, Tri-Cities Advertising Federation, 2011
• Gold ADDY Award, Admissions Viewbook, Tri-Cities Advertising Federation, 2011
• PRSA Award of Excellence, Admissions Brochures, Tri-Cities Chapter, 2004
• PRSA Award of Excellence, Alumni Magazine, Tri-Cities Chapter, 2004

Freelance Consulting & Design

• The Advancement Foundation, Roanoke,VA
• Tri-Cities KY Main Street
• Harris Insurance, KY
• Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce, TN 
• Gilead Consulting, TN 
• Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Johnson City, TN
• Tennessee Foundation for Independent Colleges
• Lone Oak Christian Church, TN
• Cumberland Missionary Baptist
• Mohican Challenge Course, OH
• Pioneer Bible Translators, TX
• My Sister's Wish, TN
• Wise & Associates, TN 
• ETSU Gatton College of Pharmacy
• Aunt Willie's Wildflowers, TN

Personality Assessments

• Enneagram Type 2
• MBTI Type: INFJ
• StrengthsFinder: Arranger, Input, Belief, Connectedness, Relator

Select Presentations & Publications

Author, "Enrollment & Marketing: Kill Your Goals, Not Each Other," North American College Admissions Professionals (NACCAP} Conference, 2024 

Featured Speaker, "Be Content, But Prepare for What's Next," Boss Lady Conference, Elizabethton Chamber of Commerce, TN, May 2022

Author and Presenter, "College Planning 101," Family Workshop, Multiple Locations, 2015-2022 

Presenter, "Better Organizational Communication for Happier, More Productive Employees," 
BE BOLD program, Bank of Tennessee, Johnson City, TN, October 2018

Moderator, "Recruiting and Retaining a Multigenerational Workforce," Workforce Education 
Industrial Council workshop, Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, Johnson City, TN, October 2018

Faculty, "Working Effectively with Your President," Executive Leadership Institute, Tennessee 
Independent College and University Association (TICUA}, Milligan College, TN, December 2017 
Co-author, "Scholarship, Community, Faith: Milligan Celebrates 150 Years," Milligan College Sesquicentennial History Book, 2016

Presenter, "Collaborative Efforts Between Private and Public Institutions," Academic Initiatives Meeting, Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA}, Nashville, TN, November 2014

Keynote speaker, "Youth Leadership in Action," Johnson City Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program, October 2014

Keynote speaker, "The Value of the Public Relations Profession," Annual Awards Dinner, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA} Tri-Cities Chapter, April 2013

Presenter, "Importance of Organizational Communication," Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA} Facilities Management annual meeting, Nashville, TN, April 2013 

Presenter, "Working Effectively with Your President," Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association Chief Advancement and Communications Officer Conference, Nashville, TN, March 2013

Presenter, "Key to Organizational Success: Communicate with Your Employees," TICUA Chief Enrollment and Student Development Officer Conference, Nashville, TN, Nov 2012

Presenter, "Where Do I Fit In and Succeed In a Man's World?" Faithfully Business Meeting, Johnson City, TN,March 2009 

Presenter, "Branding the Institution,'' Perform a Enrollment Institute, Performa (now Credo} 
Higher Education Consultants, Burlington, NC, October 2008