Sharyn Grove

Biography

As director of communications and events, Sharyn develops and executes communication and marketing strategies that support the Division of Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research initiatives. She manages a team of creative and customer-focused professionals who develop and implement a range of graphic design, marketing, and outreach campaigns using communication platforms including blogs, email marketing, websites, and social media outlets. Sharyn serves as the Division’s liaison with University Marketing & Communications ensuring the Towson University brand standards and core messages are integrated appropriately across all Division communications and marketing initiatives. In addition, she oversees the planning and management of all Division sponsored and supported events from idea to implementation collaborating with key leaders across campus to create engaging and sought-after events that meet strategic goals including new relationships and partnerships, course enrollments, business leads, and connections all the while ensuring superior customer service experiences for all events.

As director of operations for Continuing and Professional Studies (CPS) Sharyn provides administrative oversight for all CPS team functions. She develops the annual operational budget and supports monthly financial meetings. Sharyn organizes new program development including planning efforts to launch new courses. She leads instructor recruitment and retention efforts and manages vendor relationships. She is involved with student recruitment planning determining specialized programs that CPS can offer that will address regional workforce needs.

Additionally, Sharyn oversees all Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) national conferences and regional events to ensure that events meet all expectations of the CUMU Board of Directors. She manages all facets the annual conference including, site selection with conference host cities, negotiating contracts and pricing with hotels and venues, planning the schedule, ensuring the expenses come in as budgeted, and developing and overseeing the communications strategy for marketing the annual conference. Additionally, she oversees team members involved in the planning and execution of the annual conference and related CUMU communications.

During her tenure which began in 2001, Sharyn has held several positions within the Division including support of website and GIS application development projects that informed decision making for government agencies in Maryland. Her work supported user experience and graphic design needs of projects on topics such as mapping available childcare, environmental management efforts, traffic accidents, emergency management, and broadband availability. In addition to GIS application design, Sharyn has developed integrated marketing plans and tools for a variety of organizations allowing those organizations to more their communication strategies forward.

Education

Sharyn holds a M.A. in publications design from University of Baltimore and a B.S. in graphic design from Towson University.

Personal

Sharyn enjoys traveling (especially to the beach), cooking, working with her hands outside, and spending time with her husband and two children.

Fun Fact

Three apps she can’t live without? Instagram, Sonos, and Libby