Saying No with Purpose: Building a Mission-Driven Marketing Office

What happens when your marketing office feels more like a sandwich shop, cranking out whatever people order, than a strategic partner on campus? That’s exactly the challenge Rachel McClelland faced when she stepped into her role as Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at Pellissippi State Community College. In this episode, McClelland joins GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom to discuss how she helped her team transition from being overwhelmed Subway “order takers” to becoming a strategic communications office aligned with the college’s mission. From rebranding the college logo to navigating ransomware aftermath, McClelland's story is packed with insights for any higher ed marketer who wants to build stronger boundaries, earn trust, and deliver work that really matters.

What You’ll Learn:

• How McClelland's background in journalism and student media shaped her leadership style
• Why the “Subway sandwich shop” model doesn’t work for marketing offices
• The three priorities she set to keep her team focused (recruitment, retention, and fundraising)
• Tactics for saying “no” without damaging trust across campus
• Real examples of tough conversations that reshaped culture and built credibility

Thanks for listening!

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