University News
Shinberger Retirement Reception Set for Dec. 9, Looney Named Interim Assistant VP
October 11, 2022
EDITED: The reception time has been changed from 3-4:30 p.m.
MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- Darcie Shinberger, assistant vice president for University Communications and Marketing at Western Illinois University, will retire after 30 years of service, effective Dec. 31. A reception will be held from 3:30-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9 in the Sherman Hall Auditorium (third floor). Alisha Looney, assistant director of communications and marketing/social media manager, has been named interim assistant vice president, effective Jan. 1, 2023, until a permanent replacement is named.
Shinberger was named assistant vice president of University Relations (now University Communications & Marketing) in July 2012. The Division of Communications, led by Shinberger, was established in 2020, and was then renamed, in Fall 2021, the Division of Communications, Marketing and Media Relations, which includes University Communications, University Marketing, University Photography and Design, University Television and University Printing and Mailing Center.
"I've been a part of WIU and the Macomb community since I transferred to Western in the late 80s, and it has been an honor to promote my alma mater for so many years," Shinberger said. "Leading the communications division and our outstanding, award-winning and creative employees has been a tremendous privilege, and I've also had the good fortune to share the stories of our incredible students, faculty, staff and alumni."
Shinberger joined University Relations as an editorial writer and public relations specialist in March 1994, and was named director in February 2008, after serving as interim director/assistant director for a year. Shinberger took over the direction of University Photography in January 2006, University Television in July 2012 and University Marketing and University Printing & Mailing Center in January 2020. Prior to joining University Relations, she was a reporter for the Peoria Journal Star and the former Macomb Journal, and also worked for a semester part-time in the psychology department.
Looney joined the Office of University Relations (now Communications and Marketing) as an editor in September 2012. She was audited to public information specialist in June 2014, and to public information coordinator in 2016. Looney was promoted to assistant director of communications and marketing in February 2020, and has served as interim director of marketing and communications since August 2022.
As assistant director, and interim director, of marketing, Looney oversees a six-figure budget for University Marketing, provides leadership and support on external marketing and communications initiatives, designs and implements marketing strategies for recruitment and retention and manages University branding policies. Over the years, she has also been responsible for media relations; writing and editing promotional copy; coordinating and managing the University's social media platforms; promoting Western through videos, news releases and social media; assisting with crisis communications and more.
"Darcie's many years of experience, and her demonstrated commitment to WIU and tremendous work ethic will be missed. She has been an integral member and leader of the communications team and I've very much enjoyed working with her and having her as a member of my senior leadership team," said WIU President Guiyou Huang. "Alisha's experience in University Communications & Marketing, most recently leading the marketing team, and her enthusiasm will serve her well in the interim assistant vice president role. The senior leadership team and I look forward to working with her."
Before joining WIU, Looney was the marketing coordinator for Cherrytree Companies. She received her master's from WIU and her bachelor's degree from Illinois State University.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
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