Welome to SJSU Sheryl Spann
The College of Humanities and the Arts is proud to welcome Sheryl Spann as the new Director of Marketing for the college. In her new role, Sheryl will oversee day-to-day marketing needs for the college and its many departments, as well as develop long-term strategies for expanding public awareness and community involvement in the multitude of riches that H&A has to offer.
“Having the opportunity to be the college’s first director of marketing is a great honor and responsibility,” says Ms. Spann. “I was attracted by the opportunity to create and implement highly strategic and creative marketing efforts for the College of Humanities and the Arts as well as the Hammer Theatre. With its diverse departments, from World Languages and Literatures to Philosophy and Music and Dance, the college tapped into my academic, professional, and personal background. The multi-cultural strengths of San José State University and the region made this position a great fit for me!”
Sheryl comes to us from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where she was the director of marketing for the College of Music and the Arts. At LSU, she oversaw publicity and marketing for over 300 yearly events, as well as numerous initiatives to build national and local awareness of the college’s academic programs, community outreach partnerships, fundraising efforts and alumni achievements. Her marketing created a strong print and digital footprint to reach a broad audience.
Asked about the transition from the Deep South to the West Coast, Sheryl says, “LSU has its beautiful live oak trees, fragrant magnolias, and humid heat; the SJSU campus is a beautiful alternative. Its palm trees and conifers swaying in the sunny climate of northern California is a welcome change. I am confident that the diversity of the SJSU community will provide a variety of world perspectives resulting in great new work-related partners and friends.”
Sheryl looks forward to collaborating with others to shine a light on SJSU’s College of Humanities and the Arts. “I am thrilled and eager to partner with Dean Lisa Vollendorf, the professors and staff of the College of Humanities and the Arts, and the talented student marketing team to review the established strategic goals and make a significant, positive difference for the college and the Hammer Theatre. I will seek to build partnerships and work with the marketing team to develop creative, targeted, effective marketing to achieve college and theater venue goals.”
Long a proponent of the humanities, Sheryl is impressed with what she’s found at SJSU. “The College of Humanities and The Arts is the heart and soul of the university,” she says. “The college’s departments are varied and have their own creative beat. The Hammer Theatre, with its state of the art staging capabilities, perfect mid-size audience seating, orchestra capable stage and multiple event catering spaces, is a dream theater opportunity.”
“My goal,” she concludes, “is to develop strategic, creative marketing that powerfully showcases the strengths of the college and Hammer Theatre to San José, California, and the world.”
She’s already making us sound great. Join us in welcoming Sheryl to the team!
