About Us

Humanity is at the heart of everything we do.

The lives and the stories that unite and inspire us as humans are at the absolute center of who we are and how we work. We want to make things better. Here are a few ways we’re making a difference.

Humanity in Our Work

Higher ed will do better. We’ll help.

We are committed to showcasing and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of the brand work that we produce on behalf of colleges and universities.

Humanity in Our Hiring

We solve problems, including our own.

We've always been a company that welcomes people from all backgrounds and we're working harder than ever to ensure our hiring practices create an even more diverse and inclusive workplace.

Humanity in Our Culture

We extend benefits for a remote, flexible, and balanced culture.

We want to be the best place anyone's ever worked. That's why we do things like help our employees pay down their student loans, offer generous PTO, contribute to a 401K and support parental leave.

“

People often become attached to best practices. The risk is that once we've declared a routine the best, it becomes frozen in time. We preach about its virtues and stop questioning its vices, no longer curious about where it's imperfect and where it could improve. We might be better off searching for better practices.

– Adam Grant, Think Again

Agency Leadership

Before joining SimpsonScarborough, Jason served in marketing communications leadership roles for the University of California and NC State University. He also has brand strategy experience working with corporate and consumer brands such as John Deere, IBM, RedHat, and Sony Ericsson. He managed media and public relations for NC State men’s basketball, and began his care er as a sportswriter and editor. Jason was honored as the American Marketing Association’s Higher Education Marketer of the Year in 2013 and is regularly invited to speak at and lead industry events and training.

North Carolina State University (B.A. in Communication)

Jason Simon

Partner & CEO

Elizabeth Johnson founded SimpsonScarborough in 2006 with the vision of creating a higher ed marketing agency that puts research at the center of marketing strategies. Over the last 30 years, Elizabeth has helped more than 300 institutions research, develop, and implement plans to increase visibility, strengthen enrollment, raise money, and advance higher ed brands. She is a staunch advocate for the role of CMO within higher ed and the need to integrate marketing across the enterprise for colleges and universities to thrive despite the many challenges facing the industry.

James Madison University (B.S. in Mathematics)
Fordham University (M.B.A with a concentration in Marketing)

Elizabeth Scarborough Johnson

Partner & Founder

Bob is the Executive Vice President at SimpsonScarborough and leads the agency’s primary areas of practice, including Research, Strategy, Creative, and Digital, as well as Agency Operations.

Bob joined SimpsonScarborough in 2019 through an acquisition of Knowble Media, where he was a founder and managing partner. He led the start-up of SimpsonScarborough’s Digital division and was Vice President of Creative before moving into his current role. He has been a featured speaker at AMA and CASE, and has led teams to nationally recognized work.

Education: Wittenberg University (B.A. in Political Science)

Bob Rafferty

Partner & Executive Vice President

Matt works at the intersection of research and creative. He helps to distill qualitative and quantitative data into actionable brand strategies and makes them ready to be brought to life.

In college, working as a tour guide, orientation counselor, and athletic host, Matt found that it wasn't one singular experience that shaped him, but instead he was shaped by great people.

Auburn University (B.S. in Marketing)

Matt McFadden

Partner & Senior Vice President

Meredith leverages custom research that leads to meaningful and actionable data to solve problems, answer difficult questions, and drive strategic decision-making.

When Meredith was high school yearbook editor, she thought it would be cool to create profiles of different school classes - thus her first survey was born. The rest is history.

University of Richmond (B.S. in Business Administration)

Meredith Simpson

Partner & Vice President, Industry Research

Sara analyzes insights developed from brand research to understand the impact on the consumer journey. She then translates that into effective marketing and media plans and campaigns.

College introduced Sara to the world of travel and building cultural connections. She was able to travel abroad to expand, learn more, and meet new people.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges
SUNY Oswego

Sara Wallace

Vice President, Strategy

Danielle is responsible for leading our growing human resources department and building on current HR practices and procedures to meet the evolving needs of a growing, fully remote agency. She is dedicated to implementing the initiatives that make SimpsonScarborough the best place people have ever worked.

Danielle’s most impactful higher education experience was during her freshman year, when she learned how to apply her (at the time) major, psychology, to different professions. That was also when a speaker introduced her to human resources.

Colorado State University (B.S. Human Resources Management)

Danielle Greenidge

Associate Vice President, People & Culture

Chelsea keeps our processes on point and timelines on track. She manages internal teams, plans resources and traffic company-wide, and thinks through any technology and innovation needs.

By making friends and learning to hang drywall while on a Habitat for Humanity spring break trip, Chelsea learned the importance of service and craftsmanship.

Georgetown University (B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing)

Chelsea Woodard

Vice President, Operations

With over a decade of experience in marketing and advertising, Murray works with agency leadership to develop and execute growth strategies, refine agency brand positioning, and create client growth strategies.

He is passionate about higher education, media, SaaS technologies, client servicing, marketing, AI, and public speaking. His belief that students are ever-evolving drives him to help universities do the same.

Bournemouth University (B.S. in Psychology, Mini MBA in Marketing & Brand Management)

Murray Simpson

Vice President, Growth

As Vice President of Research, Analytics, and Insights, Reya oversees the work and growth of the RAI team. Before joining SimpsonScarborough, she led and designed global studies for Fortune 500 companies and non-profits in the public health, financial, and higher education sectors of our research and analytics tors.

Reya prides herself on being method-neutral (i.e., leveraging any method to answer the question) and considers herself a #foreverstudent.

Smith College (B.A. in Mathematics and Physics)
Purdue University (M.S. in Industrial Engineering)
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University (MBA in Marketing & Strategy)

Reya Calistes

Vice President, Research, Analytics, and Insights

Our team

Tim helps higher education leaders create experiences that bring brands to life. He understands that everything speaks—every detail, interaction, and idea combine to shape perceptions and define higher education brands. The thrill is in building experiences and perfecting the mix.

Tim comes from a storied career in higher ed that started with days on the concert committee, helping provide that special student experience while learning lifelong skills like properly wrapping a cable.

University of Mary Washington (B.A. in English)

Tim Jones

Director, Brand & Integrated Strategy

Hira focuses on survey design, data analysis, and data visualization - delivering strategic recommendations from research findings and in-depth industry knowledge.

Hira is something of an adventurer, her most memorable college experience being the time she bungee jumped on her 21st birthday during her semester abroad in New Zealand.

University of Richmond (B.A. in Leadership Studies and a B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing)

Hira Siddiqui

Associate Director, Research

Kelsi provides project management support for the media and analytics team across clients and projects.

Kelsi understands the power of team dynamics, with backgrounds in health & recreation and sports business that she puts to good use in setting up our teams for success.

James Madison University (B.S. in Sport & Recreation Management)
Temple University (M.S. in Recreation & Event Management)

Kelsi Kao

Media & Analytics Project Manager

Tim uses a keen eye for user pain points to develop strategies to make higher ed websites approachable, navigable, and easy to use.

Conducting research at the LBJ Presidential Library at UT Austin helped Tim learn the importance of digging into primary sources in order to develop genuine insights.

The University of Texas at Austin (B.A. in History)

Tim Meyer

Senior UX Designer

Mary Beth focuses on driving operational excellence at the agency by optimizing project delivery, streamlining processes, and ensuring the smooth execution of large-scale, integrated projects.

Mary Beth thought she wanted to be a vet until she discovered her love of graphic design in high school. Now she has the best of both worlds, with a career in marketing and a pack of four rescue pets at home.

University of Georgia (B.A. in Journalism)

Mary Beth Oakey

Associate Vice President, Project Management Office

Eryka is dedicated to shaping our workplace into a thriving hub of connectivity and cultural strength. Her strategic approach involves proposing business-oriented solutions that enhance our work environment and contribute to our overall success.

Embodying the philosophy of "bloom where you're planted," Eryka strives for excellence in every situation and encourages others to do the same through daily affirmations.

The University of Southern Mississippi (B.A. in Mass Communications/Public Relations)

University of West Florida (M.A. in Strategic Communications and Leadership)

Eryka Wallace

People & Culture Manager

Joe works as a member of the Strategy team, providing POV and recommendations regarding media lighting and goals to meet client objectives.

As a first-generation college student, Joe's parents stressed the value of higher ed and the limitless opportunities it offers through continuous learning. Working with universities to communicate their benefits to prospective students allows him to play a small role in life-changing decisions.

University of Cincinnati (B.A. in Marketing and Business Analytics)

Joe Taphorn

Media Manager

As a copywriter, Emily's focus is on integrating data and creativity to weave brand messages that connect with audiences and tell the brands' stories.

One of the greatest lessons Emily learned in college is that you can make absolutely anything interesting (even the driest of poli sci topics) if you're a good storyteller.

University of Denver (B. A. in Political Science)

Emily Barriball

Senior Writer

Amber crafts and executes graphics, animations, and presentations for brands within higher ed. While Amber is a versatile designer, she most enjoys helping clients develop new visual languages to express their brands authentically.

As a community college graduate, Amber loved the intimate experiences and close relationships she built with her professors. She considers the time spent there to be very personal and knows if she went back, her professors would recognize her in a heartbeat!

Kent State University (Fashion Design)
Sinclair Community College (Visual Communications)

Amber Koski

Senior Designer

Jacob works at the intersection of brand and web strategy, crafting simple, thoughtful, and engaging digital products.

To him, higher ed is essential to shaping our future. Through thoughtful design, Jacob helps institutions empower individuals, foster innovation, and enrich our communities.

Otterbein University (B.A. in Studio Art, concentrations in Graphic Design and Photography)

Jacob Strous

UI Designer

Antoine gathers and analyzes data to support client's marketing and strategic goals.

His passion for research was sparked during his higher ed journey, where collaborative exploration fostered his grounded approach to analysis.

Oregon Institute of Technology (B.S. in Applied Psychology, Minor in Applied Statistics)

Antoine Savelli

Research Analyst

With experience in higher ed and Silicon Valley start-ups, Kristie ensures our work balances cutting-edge technology, time-honored tradition, and authentic-to-you solutions. In a sea of sameness, Kristie understands the mission-critical work of helping institutions uncover a story that is uniquely theirs (even on a budget). Her role ensures we define and deliver exactly what our partners need—and then some.

Kristie firmly believes that one's degree is not so much about the ranking as the feeling when you're on campus. Coming from a diverse background of higher ed and Silicon Valley, Kristie aims to help SimpsonScarborough and our clients navigate the intersection of innovation and tradition.

Seattle Pacific University (B.A. in English, Creative Writing)

Kristie Colón

Director, Partnerships

As an Analyst, Adam helps uncover the insights that drive big ideas and our ability to measure success.

Adam is no stranger to the impacts higher ed carries in our lives. One of his most memorable experiences is from an internship where he created a mobile math museum to educate students on the mathematics that govern natural phenomena.

Juniata College (B.S. in Mathematics and Secondary Education Studies)

Adam Mothersbaugh

Analyst

Marchantia is responsible for partnering with clients to ensure seamless project delivery by cultivating intentional and impactful relationships that build trust, meet deadlines, and provide clear communication.

Being in the military and a new mom while in college, Marchantia's path to obtaining her degree wasn't a traditional experience. Because of this, Marchantia is very thankful for the professors and advisors who encouraged her along her educational journey. Each person, whether it was a simple kind word or affirming the work that she was doing, helped her leave with more than a degree—lifelong friends and mentors.

Grand Canyon University (B.A. in Communications)

Marchantia Ivey

Account Specialist

Torre oversees the project and timeline management of our creative teams. She works closely with them to manage workload, deliverables, and timelines, keeping projects effective and efficient. Torre also leverages her experience managing video as we continue to grow.

Torre would not be who she is today without her higher education experience. From discovering her love for the creative space to forging impactful relationships outside of the classroom, higher education provided the space and freedom for her to start finding herself. She describes herself as a life-long learner to this day—she's just grateful there are no unexpected pop quizzes.

East Carolina University (B.F.A. in Studio Arts with Textile Design Concentration)

Torre Mower

Associate Director, Project Management Office

Zach helps to translate strategic thinking into smart, timeless identities and design with a high degree of craft.

He sees college as the place where he learned how to be a lifelong learner. For every new technical skill, Zach saw larger lessons in the value of critical thinking and work ethic.

Columbus College of Art & Design (B.F.A. in Advertising & Graphic Design)

Zach Wilke

Senior Art Director

Shannon coordinates efforts in the service of research projects to best support the pursuit of mutual objectives within our partnerships between our teams and our clients. Using intentional resourcing, strategic planning, and open communication, Shannon keeps projects in harmony through the project lifecycle.

In a firsthand experience of the power of the higher ed community, while in her university's leadership program, Shannon worked with an anti-bullying organization that put her face to face with community members and led to graduation, recitals, and birthday invitations just through doing the work, underscoring the importance of community in the higher ed ecosystem.

Christopher Newport University (B.S. in Psychology)
Johns Hopkins University (Master's of Clinical Mental Health Counseling)

Shannon Berg

Research Project Manager

Mishay coordinates client engagements and ensures all project deliverables meet the client's needs. She manages daily project communications, escalates client concerns, and develops project documentation.

During Mishay's junior and senior years of college, she mentored high school students who were in the process of choosing and applying to colleges and universities. Through this mentoring process, Mishay was able to hone her ability to connect with others.

Virginia Commonwealth University (B.S. in Psychology)

Mishay Harris

Account Coordinator

Kevin supports his colleagues in areas concerning survey link development and quality assurance, fieldwork execution and management, risk mitigation and solution management, and adherence to applicable regulations. He also has a hand in process development and innovation to help guide workflow efficiencies.

Born and raised in central New Jersey, Kevin mainly enjoys spending his free time with his family. He also enjoys long-distance running, photography, anything involving a beach, exploring new places and cultures, and reading up on current events.

The College of New Jersey (B.A. International Studies)

Kevin Beach

Research Quality & Compliance Manager

Savannah leads integrated marketing and branding projects that help colleges and universities move their institutions forward through research, strategy, creative and digital work.

Savannah loved serving as the station manager of WVAC, her college's radio station. Through this experience, she learned how to manage a team, develop content that kept people listening, and think on her feet as the host of several radio programs, skills she still uses in her work today!

Adrian College (BA's in Theatre & Mass Media Communication)
Wayne State University (MA - Communications, Specialization in Journalism & New Media)

Savannah Lee Coco

Director, Accounts

Julia works on the Account and Strategy team as a point of contact for clients, and she supports research and project management.

Julia's favorite college memories were the weekend road trips to new cities, learning new things every day, and of course, cheering on the dawgs at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Butler University (B.A. in Marketing)

Julia Telari Cwynar

Creative Project Manager

Andrea leads research, strategy, and creative projects that help clients make decisions based on data-driven insight.

Andrea’s practice of waking up every morning to run has taught her the importance of a strong mind, hard work, and dedication.

American University (M.A. Public Communications)
University of Alabama, Huntsville (B.A. Communications and Spanish)

Andrea Kruszka

Associate Vice President, Accounts

Steve shapes the value SimpsonScarborough delivers to higher education through its publicly available industry research and original content while also helping campus leaders understand how the agency can help them meet their individual and organizational goals.

Steve credits his college experience with meeting the best people in his life and shaping his trajectory to becoming a higher ed marketing professional.

Stonehill College (B.A. in Communications)
Temple University (M.S. in Communication Management)

Steve App

Associate Vice President, Partnerships

Brendon builds websites that help students and their families learn about the universities they're interested in.

Before SimpsonScarborough, Brendon worked at other agencies and was excited to join the team because of the great people, culture, and agency purpose.

Clarkson University (B.S. Civil Engineering)

Brendon Reyell

Senior Web Developer

Tina partners with clients and teams to creatively solve problems and aims to deliver projects that meet client goals and expectations.

Tina's college advisor helped open her eyes to the vast world of communications beyond her journalism major. Before graduating, Tina took a chance by pursuing an internship opportunity in the digital practice at a PR agency. She hasn't looked back since.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (B.S. Broadcast Journalism)

Tina Lee

Account Director

Ben plays a pivotal role in shaping and delivering innovative digital experiences.

He finds great fulfillment in working with public institutions, particularly in higher ed. Ben believes that these areas, while often overlooked, are crucial to human progress.

Savannah College of Art & Design (B.F.A. in Advertising)

Ben Loeffler

Solutions Architect

Nia leads integrated marketing and branding projects from kick-off to client hand-off, confidently supporting institutional growth by building valuable relationships and collaborating with clients.

Through all her experience, Nia found she is happiest and most passionate when working in higher ed. As a first-generation college student, she's proud that higher ed provided her with quality education, resources, and a network that enhanced her overall life experience; she wants to provide others with the same opportunity.

Grambling State University (Mass Communications Integrated Communication)

Nia Bolden

Account Manager

Kristen leverages her skills to ensure the agency has the right people in the right roles at the right time. Day-to-day, she analyzes workforce data to identify gaps and opportunities, capacity accuracy, and pipeline forecasting. Kristen collaborates closely across teams to align staffing capacity with demand forecasts and project needs. She aims to optimize the agency's human capital through strategic workforce planning.

While she hasn't worked directly in higher ed, Kristen's passion for continuous learning was ingrained early in her life.

Georgia State University

Kristen Blake

Resource Manager

As leader of the creative studio at SimpsonScarborough, Jason works with some of the most relentlessly talented writers and designers alive. In that role, he clears the way for our concepts and ideas to be fearless, original, and effective for our clients.

One of the best things about college? Not having to apologize for turning up the guitar amp's volume (or the distortion) after 9 p.m.

Northwestern University (M.S in Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications)
The Ohio State University (B.A. in English)

Jason Shough

Executive Creative Director, AVP

As a Senior Digital Project Manager, Dana thrives behind the scenes, driving teams and projects forward. She organizes and guides timelines, ensuring exceptional communication and quality of the final creative for our clients.

The power of the higher education experience is not lost on Dana. She remains grateful for her experience as it allowed her to meet so many lifelong friends, including her husband.

North Carolina State University (B.S. in Business Administration & Marketing)

Dana Rierson

Senior Digital Project Manager

Corynn oversees the coordination of cross-functional teams and the coordinated development of effective brand and marketing strategies by ensuring experience is at the core of every solution.

Corynn took a communications course taught by an incredible professor who made her fall in love with communications and changed the entire trajectory of her career. That experience shaped Corynn's belief in the power of education and, just as important, the power of educators.

Monroe County Community College (A.A.)
The University of Toledo (B.A.)
Austin Peay State University (M.A.)

Corynn Myers

Associate Vice President, Strategy Planning

Katlin uses data and insights to develop strategies that help campuses build trust with their audiences, guide marketing and branding, and inform organizational change.

As a first-generation college graduate from Appalachia, Katlin knows firsthand the critical importance of higher education, especially for individuals from rural areas. She has dedicated her career to improving industry access, attainability, and affordability.

West Virginia University (Ph.D., Higher Education; M.A., Higher Education; B.S., Journalism)

Katlin Swisher

Director, Strategy Planning

Natalie ensures digital experiences are as clear and compelling as possible by optimizing information architecture and user journeys.

In college, Natalie wrote her theater department's first-ever playwriting honors thesis, teaching her how to forge her own path and take nothing for granted. Those playwriting chops now make her an expert in writing between distinct brand voices.

Wesleyan University (B.A. in English and Theater)

Natalie Sacks

Content Designer

Anna-grace provides support across client accounts implementing production design, designing account-facing platforms, and designing for social media content and digital campaigns.

Her experience in higher education provided a sense of confidence and value behind her work. Not only did she develop technical expertise, but she found it opened up the doors to different career opportunities.

Columbus College of Art and Design (B.A. in Advertising and Graphic Design)

Anna-grace Juskalian

Production Designer

Dan helps clients to discover their best paths forward through user and usability research. Building websites and laying out new site architectures and wireframe designs, Dan sits at the intersection of digital strategy and creative.

With time spent on stage as a comedic improviser, Dan's got a keen sense of what's a riot or a flop.

Ohio University (B.S. in Journalism - Advertising and Public Relations)

Dan Moore

Senior UX Designer

Johns helps to establish, reimagine, or reposition institutions' brands. With a focus on how they're interpreted visually, John injects energy and contextual experiences into that work.

John's passion for higher ed doesn't just come from his resume in higher ed marketing and branding, he finds inspiration in the limitless potential higher ed has to offer anyone seeking it.

Thomas Jefferson University (B.S. in Graphic Design Communication)

John Sokorai

Associate Creative Director, Design

Kerri provides strategic direction for custom, integrated brand and enrollment strategies, connecting critical dots and subject matter experts to bring strategies to life.

Kerri continues to directly connect her higher ed experience from thesis research in enrollment marketing to now supporting clients as an enrollment strategist.

Appalachian State University (B.S. in Communication, Journalism)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (M.A. in Digital Communication)

Kerri Shook

Director, Strategy Planning

Deb analyzes and reports on survey data, helping to turn data points into insights.

In college, Deb loved her work-study as a tutor at the Writing & Reading Center. There she found she especially loved tutoring for rhetorical theory and working with international students.

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (B.A. in Literature and Writing)

Deb Gere

Director, Research

Austin works to ensure the success of our integrated projects by building meaningful relationships with both clients and agency peers.

Austin views his career in higher education as an opportunity to pay it forward and thank the many professionals who mentored and developed him. His time as an overinvolved student leader helped him see his impact on the collegiate experience could be much greater.

Illinois State University (M.S. in College Student Personnel Administration)
University of South Florida (B.A. in Mass Communications)

Austin Arias

Account Director

Rex assists the Accounts Team in communicating with clients and different project channels. He works with this team to ensure the smooth delivery of products to clients.

While at Clemson University, Rex worked with Clemson ENGAGE, a research seminar dedicated to relief work in Soufrière, Dominica following the devastation CAT 5 Hurricane Maria left on the island in 2017. He gained valuable perspective into higher ed settings' global reach — from providing relief to natural disasters to uplifting entire communities through opportunity.

Clemson University (B.A. in Economics)

Rex Stancliff

Account Coordinator

She manages large, integrated projects and provides a sounding board for other Project Managers in the PMO, offering an experienced point of view and helping find solutions when obstacles pop up.

She loves working with clients who inspire her every day. After years of participating in higher ed discovery interviews and throughout her time at a public university, she has heard hundreds of stories about higher ed’s impact, from brand work to enrollment to alumni engagement.

Ohio State University

Brooke Hawkins

Associate Director, Project Management Office

Marguerite uncovers the "why" behind messaging, helping organizations communicate powerfully and memorably.

Study abroad in Paris and Sydney allowed Marguerite to experience communications on a global scale, engage with diverse perspectives, and broaden her scope.

Syracuse University (B.A. in TV-Radio-Film & Sociology)
Loyola University Chicago (M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration)
Emerson College (M.A. in Integrated Marketing and Communications)

Marguerite Moore

Associate Director, Brand & Integrated Strategy

Siria works closely with the Research Quality & Compliance Manager to ensure the smooth execution of the market research field process. Her responsibilities span from managing client sample files and liaising with third-party providers to programming and testing online surveys.

Some of Siria's favorite memories from college are from having joined GMU’s Azúcar Latin Dance Club, where she learned how to dance Rueda de Casino, where couples form a big circle and perform moves together to the calls or hand signals of a leader.

George Mason University (M. A. in Applied Developmental Psychology; B.A. in Psychology with a Business minor)

Siria Rioja

Research Operations Analyst

Tyler helps bring brands to life by developing data-informed, omnichannel, integrated marketing strategies.

As a first-generation student, Tyler knows first-hand how life-altering obtaining a college degree can be—not just for oneself but for generations to come. After an undergraduate internship on an integrated marketing team, Tyler knew he had found a career path that married his love for science and data with his creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.

Florida State University (B.A. in Editing, Writing, and Media)
Florida State University (M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communication)
Florida State University (Graduate Certificate in Multicultural Marketing Communication)

Tyler Eddinger-May

Brand & Integrated Strategist

Sara analyzes and reports on survey data and works with the project team to develop key findings for clients.

Sara’s fondest memories from college are from having participated in cultural shows and festivities with GMU's Persian Club.

George Mason University (B.S. in Marketing)

Sara Abtahi

Research Analyst

Mandy leverages her expert knowledge to define project plans, manage risks, and ensure pathways to success for complex, cross-functional projects.

Mandy firmly believes in the profound transformation that college offers for cultivating leadership skills.

University of Georgia (B.A. in History, M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Administration)

Mandy Howard

Senior Project Manager

Kenda assists in identifying and developing new business opportunities and provides support to the sales and marketing team.

Higher ed's impact on Kenda's life was in the building of deep and authentic relationships with her professors, especially with those in whose classes she was struggling.

University of Cincinnati (B.A. in Psychology)

Kenda Revis-Nixon

Growth Marketing Manager

Carrie advances SimpsonScarborough’s position in the marketplace by amplifying the agency’s research and stories through various digital communication channels.

Carrie has great appreciation for how her student involvement in college shaped her life and how many of the relationships she cultivated are still strong today.

California Lutheran University (B. A. in Political Science & History)
California Lutheran University (M. A. in Public Policy & Administration)

Carrie Barnett

Director, Marketing

Lex ensures that the business goals and user needs are aligned, and helps to prioritize the team's attention and resources on solving the right problems for the target audiences.

Equal parts informative and innovative, Lex is a pro at bridging the gap between data and product development. Her accomplishments in the fields of marketing, art, and design allow her to translate complex audience research and brand strategy into practical, valuable interactive digital solutions.

Savannah College of Art and Design (B.F.A.)

Lex Hade

Associate Vice President, Interactive

As a Senior Copywriter, Rachel explores brands, crafts stories, and creates compelling narratives for our clients across a variety of media from initial concepts to final execution. In partnership with our colleagues across the agency, she will work to create a unique, insights-driven story that stands up in any space, digital or print.

Learning to craft nuanced, scholarly arguments within the framework of a story, from her days as a Philosophy Master's Student,—not just an academic paper—made a huge impact on the way Rachel approaches work products to this day!

Ohio University (B.A. in Classics)
University of Oxford (M.Phil. in Latin and Greek)

Rachel Thomas Green

Associate Creative Director, Copy

Chris brings strategic rigor to the intersection of media and brand communications, uncovering the perfect blends of media, moments, and messages.

Chris has worked in higher ed marketing, both agency and institution-side, where he has planned and executed comprehensive marketing and recruitment strategies across multiple program types and institutions. His work has been published in the Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing, the Journal of Digital and Social Media, and the Journal of Brand Strategy.

University of South Carolina (B.A. History, M.Ed Education, M.A. Integrated Marketing Communications)

Chris Huebner

Director, Strategy Planning

As Account Director, Charles is a trusted advisor and leads integrated marketing efforts for the agency's higher education clients. He drives the development of culturally relevant, data-informed strategies that support authentic, consistent brand messaging that resonates in a highly competitive marketplace.

Charles grew up in a proud family of educators and firmly believes in the power of higher education as a driver of personal, community, and social advancement. The experience of higher education taps into our collective potential to break barriers and realize the power of possibility.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA, Journalism and Mass Communication, Advertising)

Charles Hall

Account Director

Thomas assists the research team in all parts of the research process from survey design to quantitative analysis, helping to deliver the best outcomes for clients.

An impactful moment from Thomas' higher education experience was the opportunity to conduct research with one of his favorite professors, which helped grow his passion for learning and data.

UNC Chapel Hill (B.A. in Political Science)

Thomas Poole

Research Analyst

Dempsey creates visual designs that help tell both SimpsonScarborough's story as well as the stories of the higher educational institutes that we serve.

Studying art history and classical literature alongside her studio art and design courses opened Dempsey's eyes to how history and storytelling enrich and expand all facets of design.

Columbus College of Art & Design (B.F.A. in Advertising and Graphic Design)

Dempsey Ewan

Senior Designer

Marcus leads the technology strategy and execution arm of the digital team. Working in concert with developers, clients, and partners alike, he ensures that every technical implementation project is completed to the highest standards.

As the first person in his family to graduate from college, Marcus understands the importance of education. He credits his time at university with some of his life's most transformative personal moments.

Syracuse University (B.S. in Computer Science)

Marcus McLean

Director, Engineering

Katie sets the vision for and leads a team of multi-talented designers. She’s key in shaping creative big ideas in collaboration with our Executive Creative Director, directing visual identities and systems, and guiding the flow and structure of our flexible deliverables.

Katie spent three semesters focusing on design for social good, participatory design, and healthy creative practices to help shape her view on all forms of creating, for both others and herself.

Columbus College of Art & Design (B.F.A. in Advertising and Graphic Design)

Katie Schwendeman Sakowski

Design Director

Cassie is responsible for leading the agency’s analytics team and overseeing all digital and media analytics client engagements to ensure alignment with the agency’s vision and objectives.

Cassie joined our team to help spread her belief in higher ed, that education is about the experiences, the people, and the thought processes gained along the way.

Rochester Institute of Technology (B. S. in Business Administration - International Business)

Cassie Golda

Associate Director, Analytics Strategy

Jason leads and works alongside our talented team of creatives to give higher-ed brands a voice and identity that build meaningful relationships with their students. Jason believes that every institution has a unique story to tell, and he strives to bring that story to life.

As an English major, Jason learned the value and power of compelling storytelling—the essential building block of empathy and human connection. It's something he continues to apply in his career and creative pursuits.

The University of Michigan (B.A. in English)

Jason Gonzales

Associate Creative Director, Copy

As a Senior Web Developer, Jonathan is responsible for building websites to the specifications of our clients, ensuring that functionality and user experience exceed expectations.

The college experience is something that has shaped Jonathan’s life. Building a life on his own for the first time, trying to forge a path for his future, and his involvement in collegiate Ultimate Frisbee sparked a lifelong passion for the sport and was the basis for many strong friendships today.

Missouri State University (BFA, emphasis in Computer Animation)

Jonathan Adams

Senior Web Developer

Dana supports the Accounts division by assisting the account directors in growing client relationships and managing integrated projects that involve market research, brand strategy, creative, digital, and media.

Wanting to do something that she felt was meaningful, Dana returned to higher education to complete her undergraduate and graduate degrees in communications. During the summer of 2019, Dana attended Syracuse University in London, UK, to learn about international communication and social media management from an agency's perspective. As a first-generation college student, this opportunity was transformative in her life.

UNC Chapel Hill (M.A. Media and Communication)
NC Central University (B.A. Mass Communication)

Dana Anthony

Account Manager

Griffin supplements the Research and Analytics teams' work to ensure smooth workflow without excess stress. His work primarily involves data representation and organization, as well as the development of various client reports and presentations.

Griffin's college education was marked by a dissatisfaction with the lack of data and research behind corporate, political, and educational decision-making. In response, he took the initiative to study mathematics, with the aim of bringing detailed and specific reasoning to his industries of interest.

Franklin & Marshall College (B.S. in Mathematics and Public Policy)

Griffin Scarborough

Junior Analyst

Vanessa leads integrated marketing and branding projects from sales through delivery, collaborating with dynamic teams to ensure our clients’ success and help grow their reputation in a competitive marketplace.

Vanessa believes that empathy is the key to effective marketing; as higher education experiences active transformation, she is passionate about helping institutions connect with and activate the audiences of today and tomorrow.

Babson College (B.S. in Business Management)

Emerson College (M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communications)

Vanessa Theoharis

Associate Vice President, Accounts

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Mailing Address
SimpsonScarborough
2000 Duke Street suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314

hello@simpsonscarborough.com

(571) 257-7251

We became a fully remote agency in March 2020. And we’re not going back. So wherever it is that you call home, there's a home for you here.

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