Sheanna M. Spence is the newest assistant director for alumni affairs and community relations at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Marshall Health.

Spence is a native of Huntington who graduated from Marshall with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism in 2005. Spence went to Ohio University where she graduated in 2007 with her Master of Science in journalism. Spence said she decided to major in journalism because as a journalist, you get to meet a lot of interesting people and learn about interesting things. Spence then returned to West Virginia where she lived and worked for a nonprofit organization in Charleston for several years.

About six years ago, Spence and her husband moved from Charleston to Putnam County providing the couple with the option to work in either Huntington or Charleston. “In many ways, I don’t feel like I ever really left,” Spence said. “Huntington is a great city that has a lot to offer.”

In 2010, Spence got a job at Mountwest Community & Technical College in Huntington. As director of development at Mountwest, Spence oversaw marketing and communications, fundraising, grants and alumni relations functions.

In March 2015, Spence joined Marshall School of Medicine. Linda Holmes, director of alumni affairs and development at the School of Medicine, said, “I’m delighted to welcome Sheanna as the new assistant director of alumni affairs and community outreach. She brings outstanding experience to our team with the added benefit of understanding higher education.”

At the School of Medicine, Spence wears dual hats. Spence promotes 13 departments promoting the clinical practice plan for Marshall Health and also works in alumni and development for the School of Medicine. Spence said she is enjoying her new position at the School of Medicine because, to her, it is a great place to work and a tremendous asset to our community and our state.

A few job related tasks for Spence include social media management, ad buys, press releases, radio and video scripts and a variety of publications. Spence’s department is also committed to increasing scholarship giving since scholarships are what make medical school possible for many of Marshall’s students. According to Spence, the alumni and community have been very supportive of that. “Hands down, the best part of my job is getting to know our alumni,” Spence said. “Whether they’re back in town for a football game, coming to see family or on staff as faculty, they’re eager to share their experiences and reminisce about their time at the med school.”

Spence’s hands are full, even when she is not working. When Spence is not the assistant director for alumni affairs, she is a wife and a mother. Spence’s hobbies include whatever hobbies her toddler is into.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Spence.

Logan Parkulo can be contacted at [email protected].