2025 District 5 Communicator
Erin Snyder
Chief Communications Officer & Higher Learning Commission Accred
Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA
How does Erin creatively support her team? Erin is the kind of communicator who makes you believe creativity might just be her first language. Quick with a sharp idea or a well-timed joke, she brings both brilliance and levity to every room she enters. Walk-up songs curated for every employee at an all-staff event? Naturally. AI-generated superhero avatars for a compliance presentation that somehow made accreditation feel inspiring? Of course – because Erin sees every challenge as a creative opportunity. Her creativity is matched by vision. Erin sees and understands the strengths of her people, and she invests in them.
How has Erin made a difference in marketing the Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICC)? In the last year, she helped champion an RFP for brand research and a refresh with Epicosity, securing leadership approval and funding support. She led communications for a 2024 Higher Learning Commission visit, writing much of the assurance argument and weaving brand standards into a narrative that positioned EICC at its best. She championed a logo refresh this summer many thought would never happen, unifying all three campuses under one cohesive identity, and is ensuring its adoption through faculty and staff training. Looking ahead, she is guiding the development of a single mascot to replace three separate ones, strengthening school spirit and institutional pride.
What is one way Erin has demonstrated leadership? When others hesitated to address DEI challenges due to changes in state law and federal executive orders, Erin pushed senior leadership to discuss the impact head-on. Because of her persistence, the college is now hosting workshops, sending campus-wide emails, and ensuring faculty and staff know how to support students.
Erin Snyder has dedicated 30 years to EICC, serving in seven different roles. Her current responsibilities encompass overseeing the marketing team, institutional research, and serving as the HLC accreditation liaison officer (ALO). Erin holds a degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—Go Heels! She co-coordinates EICC's internal leadership program and is a passionate advocate for community colleges. Erin has the unique opportunity to share the college's story through various lenses: marketing and sales, data analysis, and maintaining accountability through accreditation standards.