A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
Shelley Keith
Mike Breitenbach, director of web communications for the past four years, has left UMW and taken a job in Richmond. We know the web is critical to operations of the University. For that reason, we have brought back Mike’s predecessor, Shelley Keith, to fill in and maintain web redesign initiatives while we search for a permanent employee to fill the position. She and Director of Web Technology Curtiss Grymala will handle all web tickets and other requests.
Shelley is working remotely from her home in Portland, Oregon. Generally, she will strive to maintain East Coast hours, but know that she is three hours behind. You can email her at tkeith@umw.edu.
We will keep you posted on the recruitment of a full-time successor to Mike. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Anna B. Billingsley
Associate Vice President for University Relations
Anna B. Billingsley, Associate Vice President for University Relations, has been selected from a statewide pool of nominees to participate in the Virginia Network for Women in Higher Education 2014-2015 Senior Leadership Seminar. Initiated in 1987, the Senior Leadership Seminar series provides a forum to bring together emerging women leaders with established leaders in higher education in the Commonwealth. The Senior Leadership Seminar focuses on three core areas: personal development, professional development, and trends in higher education. During each meeting, speakers and guests join the group to discuss critical issues facing higher education from a variety of perspectives. The mission of the American Council on Education Women’s Network is to identify, develop, advance, and support women in higher education at the national, state, and local levels. Participants include administrators from public and private sectors, two-year and four-year institutions, and a wide-variety of functional roles.
Torre Meringolo, vice president for advancement and university relations, announced that Anna Billingsley has been named associate vice president for university relations.
An administrator at UMW since 2004, Anna Billingsley previously oversaw the university’s editorial and design staff and edited University of Mary Washington Magazine. Since July 2011, she served as interim AVP during which time she successfully guided the university’s launch of its new branding campaign. Prior to her arrival at Mary Washington, Billingsley was editor of the University of Richmond alumni magazine. She also taught journalism at Mary Washington and Richmond. She previously held positions as a reporter and editor at several Virginia newspapers, including The Ledger-Star in Norfolk, the Richmond News Leader and Richmond Times -Dispatch, and The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg. She also worked for the Associated Press.
Billingsley earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of William and Mary and a master’s degree in journalism and public affairs from American University.
Anna Billingsley, director of publications and design, will be honored by the Girl Scout Commonwealth Council of Virginia at the 10th annual Women of Distinction awards program at Jepson Alumni Executive Center September 16. Billingsley is among 11 women recognized for their professional achievements and volunteer service in the greater Fredericksburg region. She is honored in the communications category for her ability to effectively convey information.
She serves as chair of Hope House, a nonprofit agency that provides safe transitional housing for homeless mothers and their children. In addition, she is a board member of the Society of Professional Journalists Foundation and an active member of Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. A former Girl Scout and local troop leader, she has been involved in planning and promoting the Women of Distinction awards program for 10 years. Read the news release.