I’m Chantell Cosner, a communication professional with a decade of experience in the higher education and nonprofit sectors. Right now, I proudly serve as the Director of Marketing and Communications for Washington State University’s Spokane campus. In this exciting role, I have the privilege of leading a fantastic in-house marketing team. Together, we develop and implement comprehensive marketing and communications strategies that align with the university’s land-grant mission and strategic goals.

Additionally, I am a PhD candidate in Gonzaga University’s School of Leadership Studies where I study the intersection of leadership, organizations and creativity. I’m passionate discovering the ways that organizations can create cultures of creativity and am eager to contribute to the future of marketing and communications best practices, particularly within higher education and other mission-driven organizations.

I never dreamed I would be a marketing and communications director as well as a PhD student! But, when I completed my Masters of Strategic Communication from WSU in 2019, I knew there was more to be learned about successful communications practice than just strategy and tactics. Instead, I wanted to focus on people and the organizational systems that help us bring our most creative selves to our work. 

Having worked in creative teams at all levels, I have witnessed the unique challenges that communications practitioners and leaders alike face in complex organizations. My mission is to provide insight and strategies that build creative teams and bold leaders, ensuring our institutions meaningfully connect to the people we serve.