University News
Shinberger: Asst. VP VPAPS Division
June 28, 2012
MACOMB, IL -- Darcie Shinberger, director of University Relations and the Visual Production Center (VPC) at Western Illinois University, has been named assistant vice president for advancement and public services, effective July 1, according to Brad Bainter, vice president for Western's advancement and public services.
Shinberger, a member of the University Relations staff since March 1994, has served as director since Feb. 14, 2008, after serving as interim director from Nov. 19, 2007. She was named assistant director of University Relations in March 2007, and took over the direction of VPC in January 2006. Shinberger began in the University Relations office as a public information specialist and editor. Prior to joining the WIU staff, she was a reporter for the Peoria Journal Star and the Macomb Journal.
As the assistant vice president for the division, Shinberger will continue to supervise University Relations and the Visual Production Center (VPC). In addition, she will oversee University Television (UTV), which will move from the College of Fine Arts and Communications to the VPAPS division July 1, and will oversee the division during the vice president's absence.
"Throughout the years, Darcie has proven to be a valuable member of the advancement and public services administrative division, and she has demonstrated her commitment to the institution. Following the departure of the University's marketing director, she stepped up to the plate to assist with marketing operations, as well as assist with the oversight of WIU's licensing and trademark programs," Bainter said. "Her varied experiences within University Relations and the division will allow for a smooth transition with the increased responsibility of overseeing University Television."
Shinberger's responsibilities also include administering Western's media relations programs and advising University administrators regarding Western's public relations, community relations and news media programs. She is the University spokesperson and is responsible for crisis communication management. Shinberger serves as the University's Chief Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer; coordinates the University's reporting in accordance with the federal Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act); and serves as the liaison between campus news sources and the news media. She assists with special events programming and planning, including major press events; and she presents media training workshops to faculty, staff and students. She also co-coordinates and maintains the University's social media presence, and assists with University marketing and branding projects.
Her professional activities include the University Marketing Working Group; Emergency Planning Core Team; Higher Values in Higher Education Strategic Plan Committee; and the Macomb Campus Master Plan Committee. In the community, she is a member of the Macomb Educational Foundation Board and the Macomb Bomber Booster Club.
Shinberger earned a master's degree in human resource development from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a master's degree in college student personnel from Western and a bachelor's degree in mass communication (broadcasting) from Western.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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