Winston-Salem State University announces new positions on Integrated Marketing and Communications team

Haley Gingles, chief marketing and communications officer of Winston-Salem State University, announces an addition and two promotions to the Integrated Marketing and Communications team that will enhance the university’s effectiveness in storytelling, marketing and branding.

Kimberly Harrington joins IMC and her alma mater as the new director of communications and media relations. Laura Huff has been appointed the new director of enrollment communications, and Carl Perry as the new assistant director of enrollment communications.

Harrington is a 1992 graduate of WSSU, having double majored in mass communications and Spanish. She is pursuing her master’s degree in public relations at Full Sail University in Orlando, Fla.

A native of Lilesville, NC, Harrington has spent her entire career in communications since college graduation. She began as a journalist for Community Newspapers Inc., where she rose through the ranks from reporter to editor at weekly and daily newspapers throughout southeastern North Carolina and South Carolina.

She transitioned into public relations, having served as director of marketing, public relations and volunteer services for a healthcare facility before moving into higher education at Livingstone College as director of communications and public relations.

Harrington is an award-winning journalist and columnist, who has covered the president of the United States, celebrities, politicians and national conferences.

While at WSSU, she served as news director of the campus radio station, WSNC 90.5 FM, and was Miss WSNC.

“I am absolutely honored to bring my expertise and experience in communications and storytelling back to the cultivator of my passion for this field,” Harrington said. “It’s been a remarkable journey for the past 30 years and I am overjoyed to land at Winston-Salem State University to be a part of this amazing IMC team to help increase, influence, and inform our market visibility.”

Huff is a seasoned higher education professional with more than 17 years of marketing experience within the UNC System. Her tenure includes more than seven years at WSSU as part of the IMC team.

Huff also previously served in progressive roles at the Center for Design Innovation, UNC School of the Arts, and Western Carolina University. 

 “Under this new leadership, the team is positioned to effectively support and execute the university’s strategic enrollment initiatives,” Huff said.

“The Integrated Marketing and Communications Team is integral in sharing the university’s strategic mission and vision. It’s exciting to share the growth and elevation of this team,” said Gingles.  “Every member of our team is exceptionally skilled, and I am proud to work alongside each of them.”

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To be successful at sharing the WSSU story, the IMC team must be in the know. Send IMC your story ideas of the amazing students, faculty, staff, programs, and research that reflects our genius – unleashed.

To do so, visit the WSSU IMC page and click the “Share a story idea” at the bottom of the page. You can also bookmark this link.