San Jac wins big at NCMPR District Competition

PASADENA, Texas – San Jacinto College won six prestigious Medallion Awards from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations District 4 at the annual conference October 11-13 in Colorado. 

The External Relations team brought home Medallion Awards for the following projects:

• Gold for the 2022 Chancellor’s Report to the Community
• Gold for the Promise @ San Jac Scholarship campaign
• Silver for the 2022-2023 baseball and softball media guide
• Silver for the Alumni Association e-newsletter
• Silver for the 2022 mascot launch social media series 
• Bronze for excellence in short form writing for “Occupational Therapy Career Choice is No Accident”

"I could not be prouder of our exceptional team of marketing and public relations professionals for winning these NCMPR district awards,” said Teri Crawford, vice chancellor of external relations. “These awards are a testament to the collective talent and unwavering commitment of our team, and they inspire us to continue pushing boundaries and delivering excellence in all our marketing and communications efforts."

In addition to the project awards, San Jacinto College Chancellor, Dr. Brenda Hellyer, was named the Pacesetter of the Year; and Vice President for Marketing & Public Relations Amanda Fenwick was awarded the Communicator of the Year by the district.

Hellyer has been with San Jacinto College for more than 20 years. She began as an inaugural director for the San Jacinto College Foundation and served in a number of executive positions before being appointed chancellor in 2009. She holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin, and a doctorate degree in community college leadership from the University of Texas at Austin. 

“I am truly grateful to receive this prestigious award,” said Hellyer. “This recognition celebrates the incredible teamwork and dedication of the San Jacinto College communications and marketing teams. This is a demonstration of the College’s commitment to excellence and serving our students on their path to success.”

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. 

Fenwick began at San Jacinto College as the assistant director of communications and has grown. In her current role, she has expanded the marketing team to 14 employees who focus on marketing, web, publications, video, social media, and public relations.

Before joining the College, Fenwick was an event coordinator in the Mayor’s Office of Special Events at the City of Houston. She began her career in public relations at Rice University as an assistant sports information director. She holds a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology (sports communication) from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and a Master of Education in physical education (sports administration) from the University of Houston.

"I am deeply honored to receive the NCMPR District 4 Communicator of the Year Award,” said Fenwick. “Standing out among such exceptional communicators is incredibly humbling. As communicators and marketers at community colleges we are uniquely positioned to tell the stories of our incredible students, faculty, and staff; and what incredible stories they have! I have an amazing team of talented individuals who I share this award with, because without them I cannot do what I do, and this award would not be possible..”

The Communicator of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious awards presented to an NCMPR member who has demonstrated leadership and ability in the area of college communications. 

Both Fenwick and Hellyer will vie for their national titles, which will be awarded at national NCMPR conference in Seattle, Washington, in March 2024.