Southern Miss Selects Gulf Park Campus Communication Officer

Jenny Tate has been selected as the Campus Communication Officer for The University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach, Miss.

Tate, currently the Chief of Marketing and Development for the Mississippi Museum of Art, replaces Shelia White in the position. As Campus Communication Officer, Tate will be responsible for the campus' marketing and public relations efforts and will oversee three staff members in the areas of news and media relations, web, and creative services. She will begin working in her new role on Monday, Aug. 25.

“Both The University of Southern Mississippi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast hold a very special place in my heart.  I am honored to be joining the staff of the Gulf Park Campus,” Tate said. “This is an exciting time in my career and in the life of the Gulf Park Campus, and I hope to be able to contribute greatly to this wonderful institution and the Gulf Coast.”

Tate holds a Master of Science in Communication Studies from The University of Southern Mississippi and a Bachelor of Science in Communication – Mass Media with a minor in Business Administration from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi.

Her broad experience in her role at the Mississippi Museum of Art should translate well to the Campus Communication Officer position. At the museum, Tate was charged with implementing strategic marketing and public relations initiatives, as well as overseeing new media, graphic design, and other communications areas.

“Jenny's versatility made her the ideal candidate for this position,” said Jim Coll, Chief Communication Officer. “The Campus Communication Officer must be able to respond to media requests, provide guidance on web design, draft exciting social media posts, and more—all on the same day. Jenny has demonstrated that ability.”

The position also includes a new community outreach component. Tate, an involved member of Rotary International as well as other organizations, will be a visible advocate for the campus and University all along the Gulf Coast.

“I look forward to working with University administration, faculty, staff, and students to make the Gulf Park Campus of The University of Southern Mississippi the best possible option for higher education along the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” Tate said.

A committee that included representatives from the Gulf Park Campus faculty and staff, as well as the Gulf Coast community, unanimously recommended Tate for hire.

“Jenny Tate was the most impressive candidate in this very important search,” said Dr. Casey Maugh, associate professor of Communication Studies at the Gulf Park Campus. “Her experience, education, and leadership abilities are a winning combination.  The Gulf Park campus will certainly benefit from Jenny's innovation and creativity as she helps us communicate how very special our campus is.”

Tate is a graduate of the 2013-2014 class of Leadership Greater Jackson. She is also actively involved in the Rotary Club of Jackson and the Metro Jackson Attractions Association. As a graduate student at Southern Miss, Tate earned the Top Departmental Paper at the 2011 Graduate Student Symposium. She also received the Todd Communication Award while a student at Mississippi College.

Tate, a Blue Springs, Mississippi native, has worked in the nonprofit sector for eight years in communications, marketing, and special events. She has worked at the Mississippi Museum of Art for the past three years.  Tate and her husband, Richard Ladner, a native of Picayune, look forward to making their home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.