Doty, Jessica
Title: GEAR UP SWV Communications Manager
Department: GEAR UP
Phone: 304-384-5981
Room: Grants House
Box: F-77
Doty, Jessica
Biography
Jessica Lilly is the Communications Manager at GEAR UP SWV, a program of Concord University that partners with New River Community and Technical College along with five county school systems in the region.
Jessica is a communications specialist with experience in media relations, event planning and public relations campaigns. She earned a B.A. in Communication Arts with an emphasis in both Broadcast Journalism/Electronic Media and Public Relations with a minor in Business Administration from Concord University.
Before joining the GEAR UP SWV team, Jessica worked for almost 15 years as a broadcast journalist. Jessica specializes in capturing the human element of storytelling that deeply connects with an audience. She served as a member of the Virginias Associated Press Board of Directors for 10 years from 2013 – 2023. Jessica won countless awards as a journalist including a Regional Murrow in 2016 in the radio documentary category and a Regional Emmy Nomination for television documentary.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Communication Arts, Broadcasting and Journalism/Electronic Media and Public Relations, Minor Business Administration, Concord University, Athens, WV (2007)
Professional Activities and Achievements
- NCCEP Communications Advisory Committee, 2023 – Present
- WCCTC Multimedia Publishing Advisory Committee Member, 2023 – Present
- Virginias Associated Press Board of Directors Member, 2013 – December 2022
- Best Multiplatform Story, 2022
- Best Reporter, Virginias Associated Press 2021
- Best Feature, Virginias Associated Press 2021
- Best Radio News Anchor, Virginia Associated Press, 2016, 2017 & 2020
- News Documentary, Regional Murrow Award, 2016
- Douglas Southall Freeman Award for the radio documentary “West Virginia’s Clean Water Struggles” in 2013
- Winner, Alumnus of the Year, Concord University, 2015
- WV Associated Press Broadcasters Significant Impact Award, 2013
Conference Presentations
- Glenville State College Appalachian Studies series, “We, too, are Appalachia”, Nov. 2018
- Appalachian Studies Association Annual Conference, “The Struggle to Stay” series discussion, 2018
- Featured Speaker at Appalachian Translational Research Network Annual Health Summit in Hershey, PA, 2017
- Featured Speaker at the ENGAGE Conference of Leadership for Change at West Virginia Wesleyan College, 2017
- Host and Moderator for Empowering Solutions, An Opioid Addiction Epidemic Discussion at Concord University, 2017
- What Can We Do To Encourage and Amplify Student Voice? Discussion Lab NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference, 2024
- Building Relationships with the Media NCCEP National GEAR UP Academy