2023 District 4 Communicator
Amanda Fenwick
Vice President, Marketing & Public Relations
San Jacinto College District
Pasadena, TX
Amanda Fenwick has dedicated 15 years to community college marketing and public relations at San Jacinto College. Always seeking innovative methods to boost enrollment, she championed unconventional campaigns like fortune cookie advertising, which resonated with diverse adult populations.
After a couple cold emails that went to the delete folder, followed by several “What are we doing to push for enrollment?” calls from leadership, Fenwick jokingly forwarded the fortune cookie advertising solicitation and said, “There’s always this.” Four months later, San Jacinto College ads were in 315,000 fortune cookies throughout the district, and restaurant patrons were posting their uplifting fortunes on social media. College leadership found the campaign so successful at reaching adult populations who weren’t responding to traditional advertising that they upped the budget for a second campaign.
Fenwick’s dedication to authenticity is displayed in her insistence on featuring real students in ads and tailoring messages to various audiences. She leverages her PR acumen by fostering relationships with Houston reporters, blending marketing with earned media.
Under her guidance, her team became one of the college’s top performers, praised for open communication and positivity. Fenwick spearheaded strategic staffing adjustments, emphasizing solutions and team spirit.
Beyond her college role, she’s a passionate advocate for the PR industry. She has held pivotal roles in the Houston Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and been recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges. Fenwick’s commitment to NCMPR is unwavering, facilitating memberships, event participation and awards for her team and contributing as a Medallion judge and coordinator.