Q & A with Kelly Crane, coordinator of the J-School's Marketing Communications Program at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park, Kan.

How did you get here on the staff at the William Allen White School of Journalism?
After earning my MBA from KU in 2004, I signed up for a couple of classes in the Marketing Communications graduate program at the Edwards Campus. I loved it!  It was so practical! I kept thinking to myself, "Now this is stuff I can use in my job!"  I was still on the student email list when I received a message from David Perlmutter announcing that he would be building up the graduate program and adding new hires. I e-mailed him back immediately that I didn't know what he meant by "changes", but that whatever they were I would be interested in being a part of them. I felt like the Marketing Communications program was one of the best kept secrets at the Edwards Campus. He replied immediately and began a long dialog, application and interview process. Now I'm responsible for marketing the Marketing Communications program...a program I found helpful in my own career.

What advice would you give to current and prospective students?
Network, network, network. Leave a positive and memorable impression on everyone you meet. Get a business card from everyone who crosses your path and add it to your PDA or Outlook Contacts list. Piece of advice #2: Treat people like you want to be treated.

When/where else have you worked?
Women of Faith conferences, VP of Marketing; LifeLine Communications, Director of Marketing; KMA Direct Communications, Sr. Consultant; Bott Radio Network, Marketing Manager; KC Marketing Solutions, self-employed Consultant.

What sets KU's J-School apart?
The Marketing Communications program is one of only a handful in the nation. While there are 18 different MBA programs offered in the Kansas City area alone, we are the only Marketing Communications in the state. That is something to be very proud of.

What are your professional interests?
I have experience in a variety of areas of marketing communications and have led several marketing departments that employed graphic designers, print production managers, media buyers, publicists, audio/video producers, Webmasters, sales forces, etc. My favorite thing to do is develop integrated marketing plans and strategies that are customized for a product, service, or company and lead the implementation of those plans with specialists in each of these areas. I love leading and mentoring teams of people.

What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of working at KU is being around brilliant, motivated people. I have an insatiable appetite for knowledge, so it’s exciting to be in an environment that is all about learning. A friend of mine frequently says “Water seeks its own level.” And when I’m around people that are raising the water level, it makes me want to raise the level of my work as well.

Crane holds a B.A. in Psychology from Baylor University, and an MBA from the University of Kansas.

For more information about Marketing Communications, visit our blog at kumarcomm.wordpress.com.