GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University’s director of marketing has been selected by a local magazine to be among an elite group of young professionals who have achieved success on the job and made a positive difference in their communities.
Dr. Laralee Harkleroad, Tusculum University’s director of marketing, has been named to the 2020 class of 40 Under Forty.
Dr. Laralee Harkleroad was recently chosen to the 40 Under Forty class for 2020 of The Business Journal of Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia. She is featured along with the other class members in the magazine’s December issue.
Tusculum’s nomination of Dr. Harkleroad included support letters from multiple individuals who highlighted her excellent work at the university and in the community.
“Serving the whole university, Laralee and the employees she supervises have played key roles in advancing Tusculum’s strategic goals,” said Dr. Ramona Williams, vice president of enrollment management and financial aid. “Laralee’s career path has been impressive, and I envision that with her track record and drive to continually enhance her skill set, she will enjoy a long and productive career.”
Dr. Harkleroad has served at Tusculum for six years, the last two as director of marketing.
Among her accomplishments at work have been the branding associated with Tusculum’s conversion from a college to a university and, more recently, the implementation of the new mission statement and the focus on the institution’s identity through a new initiative called We are Pioneers. She has also contributed to the growth of multiple programs through her leadership and the high-quality marketing materials and extensive social media presence she and her team have produced.
In addition, for more than 15 years, Dr. Harkleroad has coordinated arrangements monthly to ensure that homebound older adults in the Bristol area, where she lives, receive a warm, nutritious meal delivered with a friendly hello. She also coordinated for 15 years the Kids Club, a church program for children from 5-12 years old.
In the summer, Dr. Harkleroad earned her Doctor of Education in leadership and learning in organizations from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College.
“Marketing is a dynamic and exciting profession that has enabled me to collaborate with others to move Tusculum forward and given me a lot of professional satisfaction,” Dr. Harkleroad said. “It is a pleasure to assist the university in achieving its mission by using the most effective marketing tools to inform potential students, their families and the community about the advantages of choosing Tusculum for a degree. I am also grateful for the opportunities I have received to serve people in need and enhance their lives.”
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.