Meet Virginia
As the Marketing and Communications Director at Eastern Nazarene College, Virginia assisted the Institution in managing through the first months of a difficult transition period when the school announced closure in June of 2024.
Formerly the Marketing Director for Massasoit Community College, DePina also brings a background in Digital Marketing and Media Relations at Bunker Hill Community College and experience as an Associate Producer for the WGBH News program, Basic Black.
Recently, she played a key role in the planning team for the Brockton Partnership media campaign, “Brockton: Where Better Begins,” where she lent her voice as the video’s narrator.
Virginia’s commitment to community service is evident through her role on the Board of Directors for the Fuller Craft Museum and the Brockton Area Multiservices, Inc. (BAMSI). Additionally, she served as the Vice President for the Bay State Chapter of the National Council on Black American Affairs (NCBAA), supporting the success of Black students, faculty, and staff in community colleges.
Virginia’s dedication extends beyond professional affiliations, as she has previously served on the Program Advisory Board for the Women In Leadership Certificate Program at the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business.
Her educational journey includes an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Massasoit Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Media Art from Emerson College, and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communication from Lasell College.
Virginia DePina embraces new opportunities and challenges with enthusiasm and dedication. She looks forward to contributing her expertise and energy to a new professional endeavour.
Work Experience
2024 - Present
Director of Marketing and Communications
Eastern Nazarene College - Quincy, MA
Provided operational leadership to the marketing and communications department, serving the institution’s enrollment division and public relations efforts. I also managed multi-channel content distribution, including website, social media, blogs, email, CRM, and printed collateral.
- Managed a team of three full-time staff members. Including a web developer, senior graphic designer, and digital content writer.
- June 2024, the Board of Trustees announced the process of closure of the institution.
- Provided operational leadership to the marketing and communications department, serving the institution’s enrollment division and public relations efforts.
- Prior to closing, I managed a website redesign that included translation, virtual tour, and interactive AI Chatbot.
2019 - 2023
Director of Marketing
Massasoit Community College - Brockton, MA
Led the process for strategic marketing among all key constituencies, including current and prospective students, alumni, faculty, staff, and donors, as well as legislators and public officials. I also produced actionable marketing plans to enhance the College’s visibility, brand development, internal marketing, enrollment development, community relationships to support advancement, continuing education, credit enrollment, and initiatives.
- Crafted compelling marketing materials (print collateral, digital ads, radio, videos) to drive admissions, retention, and alumni/advancement efforts, utilizing tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, and Canva.
- Managed production and ad buying across video, audio, OOH, social, and digital platforms.
- Served on the college technology committee that addressed implementing new technologies across campus.
- Participated in working groups that supported DEI initiatives that addressed challenges related to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic barriers, food insecurity, LGBTQIA+ communities, and college readiness
- In 2022, I served as the college liaison to the Brockton Partnership and developed a marketing campaign for the “Brockton: Where Better Begins”. (I performed in the commercial as voice over talent.)
2017-2019
Director of Media Relations & Multimedia Productions
Assistant Director of Digital Marketing & Media Relations
Bunker Hill Community College - Boston, MA
Supported the Division of Integrated Marketing Communications by writing feature stories (BHCC Magazine), press releases and marketing materials for digital and print media. I researched media inquiries and stories and maintained a story-bank. Produced ad campaigns and promotional materials that supported the enrollment and retention of students.
- Provided technical management for digital connectivity on multi-campus meetings that were live and interactive.
- Served on the equity workgroup to increase participation among support staff in college-wide initiatives.
- Supervised two video production specialists.
- Moved from Assistant Director to Director in June of 2019.
2014 - 2016
Associate Producer
WGBH - Boston, MA
Supported the executive producer and program hosts by conducting research to develop story ideas, pre-interviewing and booking guests, assisting with script writing, producing and editing video content for online platforms, coordinating production logistics, managing technical aspects, and collaborating with producers, directors, and other team members to deliver a cohesive and high-quality program.
- Produced man-on-the-street interviews for topics related to the week’s program.
- Updated the website content with relevant information to the topics discussed.
- Researched and maintain a list of subject matter experts who could come in as program guests
- Managed social media interactions for Basic Black’s website and social media platforms, enhancing the show’s online presence and viewer engagement.
Education
2010 - 2012
Master of Science, Integrated Marketing Communications
Lasell College - Newton, MA
2005 - 2007
Bachelor of Arts, Visual Media Arts
Emerson College - Boston, MA
2003 - 2005
Bachelor of Arts, Visual Media Arts
Emerson College - Boston, MA
Service
2023 - Present
BAMSI
Member, Board of Directors
2023 - Present
Fuller Craft Museum
Member, Board of Directors
2021 - 2024
National Council on Black American Affairs, Bay State Chapter
Served as Vice President of Marketing and Outreach (2022-2024)
Member, Executive Board
Skills & Expertise
Strategic Media
Media Planning and Strategy: Proficient in creating and implementing strategic media plans that align with business goals.
Experienced in analyzing audience data, selecting appropriate media channels, and optimizing campaigns for maximum impact.
Digital Marketing
Comprehensive Online Marketing Strategies: Experienced in developing and executing digital marketing campaigns that drive brand awareness, lead generation, and customer engagement.
- Proficient in leveraging a mix of SEO, content marketing, social media, email marketing, and paid advertising to achieve business objectives. Skilled in using analytics tools to monitor performance and optimize campaigns for maximum ROI.
Media Relations
Customer Relationship and Content Management: Extensive experience with CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems for managing customer interactions, analyzing data, and improving business relationships. Proficient in CMS (Content Management Systems) for organizing, managing, and publishing content across various digital platforms.
Internal Communications
Enhancing Organizational Communication: Experienced in developing and managing internal communication strategies that improve employee engagement and organizational culture. Skilled in creating newsletters, managing intranets, and coordinating communication efforts across departments.
Social Media and Content Creation
Social Media Management and Content Creation: Expertise in managing social media platforms to build brand awareness, engage audiences, and drive traffic. Proficient in content creation, scheduling, analytics, and using social media tools to optimize performance across channels.
Media Buying and Advertising
Strategic Media Placement: Skilled in planning and executing media buying strategies to ensure optimal placement of advertisements across various platforms. Experienced in negotiating rates, analyzing campaign performance, and adjusting strategies to maximize ROI.
Creative and Strategic Advertising: Expertise in developing and executing advertising campaigns across digital and traditional media. Proficient in crafting compelling messaging, targeting audiences, and measuring campaign success.
CRM & CMS
Customer Relationship and Content Management: Extensive experience with CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems for managing customer interactions, analyzing data, and improving business relationships. Proficient in CMS (Content Management Systems) for organizing, managing, and publishing content across various digital platforms.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
- Optimizing Content for Search Engines: Expertise in implementing SEO strategies to improve website visibility and search engine rankings. Experienced in keyword research, on-page optimization, and analytics to drive organic traffic and enhance online presence.
Direct Email Marketing
Targeted Email Campaigns and Automation: Skilled in creating and managing direct mail marketing campaigns using platforms like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and automated drip campaigns.
Proficient in segmenting audiences, designing engaging email templates, and utilizing automation to deliver personalized content. Experienced in analyzing campaign metrics to refine strategies and improve open rates, click-through rates, and overall campaign effectiveness.
Website Content
Website Development and Management: Proficient in managing websites using WordPress. Experienced in using themes, plugins, and SEO tools to create user-friendly and responsive websites for various purposes, including blogs, portfolios, and corporate sites.
Drag-and-Drop Website Creation: Skilled in using Wix to develop professional, visually appealing websites without coding. Capable of customizing templates, integrating multimedia, and optimizing sites for both desktop and mobile devices.
Audio & Video Production
Audio Editing and Production: Proficient in using Adobe Audition for editing and mixing audio content for various media platforms, including podcasts, radio, and video production. Skilled in noise reduction, sound effects, and mastering audio for a professional finish.
Video Editing and Post-Production: Experienced in Adobe Premiere for creating and editing high-quality video content. Capable of managing multi-camera shoots, applying transitions, color grading, and delivering polished videos for social media, websites, and live events.
Graphic Design
Graphic Design and Image Editing: Expertise in using Canva to create professional-grade graphics, presentations, and social media content. Proficient in utilizing templates, custom branding, and collaborative features to produce consistent and visually appealing materials.
Graphic Design in Adobe Photoshop: Adept at using Adobe Photoshop for creating and editing images, including retouching photos, designing marketing materials, and producing graphics for digital and print media. Strong understanding of layers, masks, and various tools for achieving professional results.