Kelli Sharpe Joins Southwest Tennessee Community College as Vice President for Communications
Southwest Tennessee Community College is proud to announce Kelli Sharpe as its new
Vice President for Communications.
Ms. Sharpe is a seasoned communications and public relations executive with over 20 years of experience, including 12 years in higher education. She is poised to lead the college’s communication and development efforts with innovation and purpose.
Ms. Sharpe previously served as Associate Vice President for Public Relations and Communications at Tennessee State University (TSU). In that role, she led strategic initiatives to elevate the university’s brand and reputation.
Her efforts resulted in increased media coverage, social media engagement, and national visibility for high-profile events, including Oprah Winfrey’s Commencement Address, Kane Brown's American Music Awards campus performance, the Aristocrat of Bands Road to the Grammy’s, and ESPN’s First Take HBCU Campus Tour. Through cross-functioning teams, she played a pivotal role in promoting TSU’s academic programs and recruitment efforts with digital marketing and strategic storytelling that highlighted student and faculty success.
Prior to her work at TSU, Ms. Sharpe served as Director of Public Relations and Development for the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation in Jackson, Mississippi. She secured millions in funding to support affordable housing, workforce development, and community programs. Her leadership was instrumental in fostering sustainable community growth and strengthening the foundation’s mission.
Ms. Sharpe’s career also included public service as the key spokesperson for the City of Jackson, Mississippi, under Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr., the city’s first African American mayor. While there, she developed and produced a 30-minute magazine-style television program that highlighted municipal services and achievements.
Ms. Sharpe began her career in broadcast journalism and was as a television news anchor, reporter, and public affairs director. She also has vast media experience as an executive producer and writer. Her career included interviews with global leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton, and coverage of historic events like the Medgar Evers murder trial, the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (World Series earthquake), the Vernon Dahmer news series, and the Persian Gulf War, with her stories appearing on CNN, Fox News Channel, major network affiliates, and BET News.
Ms. Sharpe holds a B.A. in Mass Communications with a minor in Political Science from Mississippi State University and an MBA from Tennessee State University. Her visionary leadership and extensive experience will enhance Southwest’s communications efforts and strengthen connections with the communities the college serves.
She will assume her role at the college, effective April 11.