Avis McMillon is the new executive director of CSM’s marketing and communication department.
LA PLATA, Md. – The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) welcomes Avis McMillon, of Waldorf, to its Division of Advocacy and Community Engagement as the new executive director of CSM’s Marketing and Communication Department. McMillon brings more than 30 years of experience in marketing, advertising, and internal and external communications, which includes four years of experience overseeing grant acquisition, foundation and alumni relations.
In her position, McMillon oversees all of CSM’s marketing efforts including branding and advertising, creative services, the mailroom, distribution and fulfillment services, employee communications and web services. She leads a creative team who design, create and distribute more than 500 multi-faceted products yearly through advertising, direct mail, packaging, electronic marketing, social media and promotions.
“It has been a thrill to spend the summer getting to know CSM’s talented staff, this amazing college and the Southern Maryland region,” said McMillon, who left Brookdale Community College (BCC) in Monmouth County, New Jersey as its executive director of College Relations in June to join the CSM family. She said that everyone at the college and in the community has been warm and welcoming. “When the position at CSM presented itself,” she added. “I had to apply. CSM is doing great things in Southern Maryland and I value this opportunity to bring my expertise to the college and to work alongside a group of talented and committed colleagues.”
A New Jersey native, McMillon worked at BCC in various leadership positions for more than 25 years starting out as a program and graphic design coordinator and progressing through the ranks to manager of community events, public information officer and then director of public relations and communications where she oversaw a $1 million budget. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of American and holds past leadership roles in the American Council of Education (ACE) Women’s Network – New Jersey and the American Association for Women in Community Colleges.
McMillon earned a bachelor of arts in journalism from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey – Douglass College and a master of science in administration from Central Michigan University.
Since 2002, CSM has been recognized by the Alliance for Workplace Excellence (AWE) with its Workplace Excellence Seal of Approval. This year, CSM was also awarded AWE’s 2018 Health & Wellness Seal of Approval and the 2018 Diversity Champion Award. For information about the college and employment opportunities, visit https://www.csmd.edu/employment/.
During 2018, the College of Southern Maryland celebrates its 60th anniversary. Established as part of the continuing expansion of the community college in America, Charles County Junior College opened Sept. 17, 1958. The La Plata Campus was established at its present location in 1968, with college services expanding to St. Mary’s County in 1978 and Calvert County in 1980. For information about the college’s history, visit https://news.csmd.edu/60th/.
Today, CSM is a regionally accredited community college that provides programs and services with a special focus on local workforce development to maintain and grow a healthy economy and community. CSM serves more than 24,000 credit and continuing education students at its campuses located in Hughesville, La Plata, Leonardtown and Prince Frederick, as well as a Higher Education Center shared with University of Maryland University College in Waldorf and a Center for Transportation Training in La Plata. For information about CSM, call 301-934-7765 or visit www.csmd.edu.