West Hills College District gets new marketing director

From West Hills College
Amber Myrick, Marketing Director, West Hills College District
Amber Myrick, Marketing Director, West Hills College District

Amber Myrick is the new Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Information at West Hills Community College. Myrick brings experience and education focused on marketing and communication skills. She is also a trained graphic designer. She taught communications, public speaking and small group dynamics and presentation at West Hills College Lemoore.

Myrick has also been an adjunct instructor at Fortis College, a Florida-based online college where she also spent two years as Career Development Director, working with alumni, handling marketing director duties, and building a social media presence.

“For the past few years we’ve been actively expanding our marketing and communications office,” said Frank Gornick, WHCCD Chancellor. “California colleges are increasingly challenged to reach more potential students and make education more accessible. We are actively reaching out to our target audiences by adding new media, which people have come to depend on for news and information.”

Myrick is a former marketing manager for Deccan International in San Diego, a large software company that specializes in tracking and planning software for fire departments and emergency medical services. There she oversaw the firm’s marketing, branding, print and social media campaigns.

“In a word, I was ecstatic,” she said, when asked how she felt after finishing first in a field of 12 finalists after a national search by West Hills College. “I fell in love with my students in Lemoore and I love the college culture here, so I’m fortunate I’ll be able to connect on a larger level with the wonderful students I’ve met so far. “I look forward to connecting with our student body, interacting with them on social media, and attracting more student involvement in new media.”

Myrick will be responsible for all marketing and communications functions at the college district, which encompasses 3,500 sq. mi. in Fresno and Kings Counties, with two campuses (in Coalinga and Lemoore) and an education center in Firebaugh. She will report directly to Chancellor Gornick.

She was born in San Diego, grew up in San Francisco, and moved to Fresno during high school, which is where she met her husband, Daniel. Her skill as a volleyball player in high school won her a scholarship to CSU Humboldt on a sports scholarship.

When her husband became a U.S. Marine they were transferred to San Diego. She completed her undergraduate studies at CSU Dominguez Hills, earning two Bachelor’s degrees in Design and Digital Media Arts. Myrick later earned a Master’s degree from National University in Strategic Communications with an emphasis in Marketing.  

When the family moved to Coalinga, she began as a part-time instructor at WHCL and filled the rest of her time working as part-time marketing director at the Coalinga-Huron Recreation and Park District. She redesigned their web site, rebranded the district and created the Playbook, an activities booklet mailed to residents.

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