About Marc C. Whitt

A Life in Words

Marc Whitt is Director of Media & Strategic Relations at the University of Kentucky Office of Public Relations and Strategic Communications and a Part-time Instructor in the Department of Integrated Strategic Communication.
Before arriving at UK, Marc served nearly 13 years as the Associate Vice President for Public Relations and Chief Communications Officer at his alma mater, Eastern Kentucky University, and 12 years as CCO/CMO/CAO at Campbellsville University, where, at the end of his tenure, he was named an "Honorary Alumnus" by the Campbellsville University Alumni Association.
A Phi Kappa Phi, Marc is the author of the critically-acclaimed book 'PR Lessons Learned Along the Way: Strategies, Tips & Advice for the Higher Ed and Nonprofit Public Relations Professional' (Cherrymoon Media, May 2020). Since its release, the book has been named a "recommended read" by PRCA, was the #1 new PR book release on Amazon (June 2020), and has received 10 editorial recognitions from BookAuthority, most notably: “Best New PR Books to Read in 2020, 2021 & 2022”; "100 Best PR Books of All Time"; and "Best PR Books for Beginners."
During Marc’s 35+ years in higher ed, his work has achieved measurable results garnering over 40 honors, including back-to-back CASE Silver Medal Awards for Total Institutional Relations Program. In 2015, he received the James C. Bowling Excellence in Public Relations Award. Presented by the UK Journalism Alumni Association and UK Department of Integrated Strategic Communication, the award is given to the "outstanding public relations practitioner with ties to Kentucky." That same year, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Eastern Kentucky University Department of Communication and the EKU Golden Apple Award for Teaching. Additionally, the Kentucky Music Educators Association District 11 presented him with its Friends of Music Award and CASE Kentucky with its Beth K. Fields Service Award for Leadership in Advancement.
In previous years, Marc has served on the Association of American Colleges & Universities Advisory Council on Communications and Public Affairs (two of his eight years as national chair), CASE District III (Southeast US) Board, and the International Town & Gown Association Board. He currently serves on the PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter and Kentucky Baptist Foundation Boards and PRCA’s International University Advisory Group.

An engaged community leader, Marc is a Lifetime Member and former President of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, a Mayoral-appointed Commissioner on the Richmond Tourism Commission, and President of the Campbellsville-Taylor County Chamber of Commerce. 
In his recreational time, Marc has been a trumpet player for more than 50 years (taught by his dad, a long-time band director). Marc performs with and is a founding member of the Madison Community Band, a regional wind band in Richmond, Kentucky, and serves as an officer on the Friends of the Madison Community Band Board of Directors, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
A proud native of the Appalachia Kentucky community of Paintsville, Marc and his wife, Jennifer, are the parents of Emily Fields (Mark), Elizabeth Muncie (Christian), and Jacob; and the grandparents of Annaleigh and Aubrey Fields.

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(Homepage Photos: Mark Cornelison)

Need an experienced speaker or workshop presenter?

Public Relations. Servant Leadership. Nonprofit. Arts Advocacy.

Throughout his professional career, Marc has addressed topics ranging from public relations and leadership to arts PR and marketing and community relations for both large and small conferences, workshops, and meetings. Organizations have included: 

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• International Town & Gown Association

• American Association of State Colleges and Universities

• National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

• National Association of Music Parents

• Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE Kentucky and CASE District III) 

• Public Relations Society of America Chapters 

• Appalachian College Association

• Kentucky-Tennessee District of Kiwanis

• Leadership Kentucky's Elevate Kentucky

• Kentucky School Public Relations Association

• Various chambers of commerce, and several others.