Dr. Sylvia M. Jenkins, president of Moraine Valley Community College, was selected to receive the 2021 Pacesetter of the Year Award from District 3 of the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR). Jenkins accepted the award at the district’s annual conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Oct. 4.
The Pacesetter of the Year Award recognizes a community college president or CEO who has demonstrated special leadership and support in college communications and marketing. Each of NCMPR’s seven districts chooses a regional winner who then competes for the national award presented in March at the national conference.
“I have seen our honoree in action. She’s a fantastic president, and she is an absolute champion for students and student success, and a fierce advocate for the work that we do as marketing and PR professionals,” said Jeff Julian, chief of staff/board liaison at Harper College and secretary-treasurer of the Board of Directors for NCMPR, when presenting Jenkins with the award.
Jenkins’ nomination highlighted her accomplishments on the national, state and local levels as well as how she has significantly positioned and advanced both Moraine Valley and community colleges in general, the many ways she garners support from the college community, and how she supports marketing/PR practices at the college and NCMPR.
Her support of Moraine Valley’s Marketing and Communications staff who belong to NCMPR has allowed the college to shine on the district and national stages. Many staff members have presented at conferences, won awards, written articles for the organization’s publications and coordinated judges for its awards programs.
“Dr. Jenkins understands the value marketing and public relations plays in creating a positive learning environment for our students and gives the department the means to be creative and fun,” said Clare Briner, director of Marketing and Communications. “She gives her full support to our department’s campaigns, events and initiatives, and is hands-on in the sense she often gives suggestions for promotion ideas. We’re fortunate to have her full support.”
In accepting her award, Jenkins said, “This is truly a wonderful surprise and very humbling. As an educator, our priority is keeping our campuses open, safe and accessible to all who desire to be a part of the educational opportunities we have to offer. To do so, we need many talented and committed individuals to work as a collaborative team. I am fortunate to have such a team at Moraine Valley. It is because of the work they do we are able to continue to do the work community colleges were founded to do. Thank you very much for this honor.”
