PJC’s new vice president pursues a passion for helping students succeed

Her arrival at PJC on July 1 marks the first major staffing decision for Dr. Stephen Benson, the new president of PJC, who began his term in June.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Elliott to the Paris Junior College team and know she will make an immediate impact,” said Benson. “She brings an incredible amount of creativity, talent and knowledge that will help us continue to do great things here at the College. Dr. Elliott has many years of experience at the community college level and has a passion for helping students succeed.”

Elliott’s career didn’t begin in higher education. She first earned a bachelor’s degree in theater arts from Texas A&M University and a master’s of fine arts in theater arts from the University of Mississippi. She became an internet actress, web designer and podcast editor for a California company, then did dual roles as a writer and designer for the Fairfield Recorder and the Fairfield, Texas Main Street Program.

In 2000, Elliott began working as a workforce trainer at Garland County Community College in Hot Springs. In 2004, she moved to National Park Community College to become director of continuing education.

In 2006, McLennan Community College (MCC) hired Elliott as director of marketing and communications. In addition to this role, she focused on key change management projects related to enrollment management, analysis and process improvement, and the implementation of new initiatives to improve student access and success, while providing strategic advice to senior leadership.

Collaborate on strategies to shift campus culture away from an institution-centric one

to student-centricity, improved student processes, recruitment efforts and communication with colleagues in financial aid, admissions and recruiting, advising, policing, student activities, success coaching, counseling services and grant-funded programs such as TRIO, Title V, and program for first-generation students.

Her work on MCC’s emergency operations team during the Covid-19 pandemic earned her the prestigious Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Star Award for the College’s pandemic response efforts. She provided significant leadership in implementing the successful $74.5 million bond election campaign and played a key role in implementing new content management and customer relationship management software.

Elliott received her Doctor of Education degree from Tarleton State University in 2022 with a thesis titled: “An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of Factors Influencing Students’ College Choice at Central Texas Community College.”

Her additional training and professional development includes Disney Experience Training, FEMA Public Information Fundamentals, Leadership Waco and Leadership Hot Springs, Public Relations Society of America Accreditation in Public Relations Courses, Texas Attorney General Public Information Act Training, Amarillo Poverty Summit, Texas Friendly Hospitality Certification, Texas A&M Grant Writing Certification, Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Internet Marketing Certification, and CPR/First Aid Certification.

She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the National Council of Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR), the Texas Association of Community College Marketers (TACCM), and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

In addition to her numerous initiatives at MCC, Elliott has also served as a board member for PRSA Central Texas, TACCM (currently vice president), and McLennan County Pack of Hope (media relations chair).

She also served on the Waco Planning Advisory Committee, the Waco Chamber of Commerce Employee Communications Committee, the CASE Judge Volunteer Panel, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Council Emergency Assistance Network, the HOTCOG Rural Transit Cooperative Council and Waco Transit Advisory Committee, the Prosper Waco CampusTown Initiative Committee, the HOT I-35 Corridor Committee, and the Bosque River Stage Production and Marketing Team and was named to the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 list.

“It is an honor to be asked to join the talented team at Paris Junior College,” said Elliott. “I can tell you that the faculty and staff at PJC truly care about their students and are committed to their success. PJC’s culture of care aligns perfectly with my values, and I am very excited to begin my new journey there. I am also committed to the mission and vision set forth by President Benson and look forward to making a significant impact on the lives of students and the future of the community.”