46.4 F
Oxford

Oxford Native Brings 20 Years Of Big City Experience To UM Business School

In her quaint, meager office, proudly showing off the new School of Business Administration’s logo she created, one would not have guessed that this soft-spoken woman could have conquered so much within four months.

With sketches of fashion models and a portrait of the paparazzi at a Marc Jacobs fashion show framed on the wall, one would think Stella Connell was a fashion guru, but that’s not the case.
Oxford native, born and raised in this charming little town, Connell is the daughter of a photographer and Ole Miss General Counsel of 20 plus years.
At a young age, Connell said her parents encouraged her and her three sisters to read frequently. 
“I knew I wanted to do something in the journalism area…it seemed like a natural thing to me,” Connell said.
While Connell felt like journalism was a good fit for her, initially, she wanted to become an architect. However, the college she chose did not have a program for architecture nor did she think she had the math skills to pursue that route.
Upon graduating high school, Connell decided to attend the University of Alabama.
Growing up in Oxford and having a mother that worked for the university, Connell wanted to step outside of the norm and attend college away from her hometown.
Connell graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in communications and went on to further her education by obtaining a master’s in American studies.
While at the University of Alabama, Connell worked as a graduate assistant for the Office of Student Life as well as an assistant at the Alabama Heritage Magazine.
In August of 1991, Connell traveled to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she attended the Radcliffe Publishing Course at Harvard University. Going into the course, Connell thought that magazine publishing was the career for her, but after hearing the vice president for Marketing and Publicity at Random House speak during the program, she realized book publishing was more her forte.
“It was a great program because, at that time, I had always thought there was just editing; I didn’t realize there were all these different jobs in the industry. The things she talked about seemed to be the best fit for me, which was PR and marketing,” Connell said.
The public relations and marketing side of publishing was more compelling for her than anything else. After attending the Radcliffe Publishing Course, Connell decided to move to New York City, where publishing companies blossomed.
Throughout the early 1990s, Connell put her talents to work with many well-known publishing companies in New York.
In ’91 and ’92, Connell worked as a publicity assistant for Doubleday Publishing, where she coordinated travel and media schedules, wrote press materials and directed media mailings. At Doubleday, she worked with authors such as John Grisham and Marilyn Schwartz.
She later went on to work as a publicist for Pantheon Books, Penguin Group and Random House until August 1994, also working with authors like Leonard Cohen and Anchee Min.
From August of ’94 to December of ’96, Connell was a publicity manager for G.P. Putnam’s Sons, where she worked with author Junot Diaz and many others.
With her extensive background in public relations, she founded her own PR agency called The Connell Agency, LLC, in New York in June 1998.
Living in New York City for 20 years proved successful for Connell, but after a certain time she felt it was time for her to move on.
“I lived in the city for about 20 years, and I left only a few years ago,” she said. “I wanted to get out of publishing. Although I love it, I felt that it is a business that has a lot of growing pains…it wasn’t working anymore in my mind.” 
Connell moved back to her hometown and started exploring other options for work.
“I felt that two things were never going to go away, education and healthcare because people aren’t going to stop going to college and people aren’t going to stop getting sick,” she said. “So, I decided to start applying for positions in those industries.” 
Connell stumbled upon a newly created position that the Ole Miss School of Business Administration posted on the school website. She figured the position would be a great fit, so she applied.
In November 2016, Connell began her journey as the new communications specialist and strategic brand manager for the School of Business Administration. 
“Because I had my own business and had been a self-starter, publishing translated pretty well into higher education,” Connell said.
Since taking on the position as communications specialist, Connell has created a new logo for the business school and has written numerous press releases for newspapers such as The Oxford Eagle and the Mississippi Business Journal.
Ken Cyree, dean of the School of Business Administration, was more than elated to have Connell as part of the team.
“We are thrilled to have Stella Connell as our communications specialist and strategic brand manager,” Cyree said. “This is an excellent step forward for us since she is able to provide information to our constituents about the great things we are doing in the business school. Stella is doing a great job for us in her short time here.” 
From the rave reviews she has received for her efforts, the School of Business Administration now has a different beat with Connell working to keep the school on the map.
“We have had many more high-profile stories about our rankings, faculty and programs since she has been here,” Cyree said. “I believe through her efforts, the School of Business is better positioned for the future since our success can be disseminated to a wide audience, and the knowledge of the things we are doing will help us to recruit outstanding students, inform employers for our graduates and increase our academic reputation.” 
Justin Wright, Senior Business Administration major, believes that Connell is a great asset to the business school as well.
“It’s good to see someone who really cares about putting the business school on a pedestal, and I think this is what the school needs,” Wright said.
Connell may be the new kid on the block, but her success as a publicist shows that she has great potential in directing the Ole Miss business school’s future. 
“I’m looking to grow the position and make it an indispensable position and hopefully grow the department with some developmental work,” Connell said.


By Italiana Anderson, a student of the Meek School of Journalism and New Media.
For questions or comments, email hottytoddynews@gmail.com.

Most Popular

Recent Comments

scamasdscamith on News Watch Ole Miss
Frances Phillips on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Grace Hudditon on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Millie Johnston on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Binary options + Bitcoin = $ 1643 per week: https://8000-usd-per-day.blogspot.com.tr?b=46 on Beta Upsilon Chi: A Christian Brotherhood
Jay Mitchell on Reflections: The Square
Terry Wilcox SFCV USA RET on Oxford's Five Guys Announces Opening Date
Stephanie on Throwback Summer
organized religion is mans downfall on VP of Palmer Home Devotes Life to Finding Homes for Children
Paige Williams on Boyer: Best 10 Books of 2018
Keith mansel on Cleveland On Medgar Evans
Debbie Nader McManus on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: The Last of His Kind
Richard Burns on A William Faulkner Sighting
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Ruby Begonia on Family Catching Rebel Fever
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
jeff the busy eater on Cooking With Kimme: Baked Brie
Travis Yarborough on Reflections: The Square
BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH on Oxford is About to Receive a Sweet Treat
baby travel systems australia on Heaton: 8 Southern Ways to Heckle in SEC Baseball
Rajka Radenkovich on Eating Oxford: Restaurant Watch
Richard Burns on Reflections: The Square
Guillermo Perez Arguello on Mississippi Quote Of The Day
A Friend with a Heavy Heart on Remembering Dr. Stacy Davidson
Harold M. "Hal" Frost, Ph.D. on UM Physical Acoustics Research Center Turns 30
Educated Citizen on Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
Debbie Crenshaw on Trump’s Tough Road Ahead
Treadway Strickland on Wicker Looks Ahead to New Congress
Tony Ryals on parking
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
C. Scott Fischer on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Sylvia Williams on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Will Patterson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Rick Henderson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
George L Price on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
on
Morgan Shands on Cleveland: On Ed Reed
Richard McGraw on Cleveland: On Cissye Gallagher
Branan Southerland on Gameday RV Parking at HottyToddy.com
Tom and Randa Baddley on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
26 years and continuously learning on Ole Miss Puts History In Context With Plaque
a Paterson on Beyond Barton v. Barnett
Phil Higginbotham on ‘Unpublished’ by Shane Brown
Bettina Willie@www.yahoo.com.102Martinez St.Batesville,Ms.38606 on Bomb Threat: South Panola High School Evacuated This Morning
Anita M Fellenz, (Emilly Hoffman's CA grandmother on Ole Miss Spirit Groups Rank High in National Finals
Marilyn Moore Hughes on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
Jaqundacotten@gmail williams on HottyToddy Hometown: Hollandale, Mississippi
Finney moore on Can Ole Miss Grow Too Big?
diane faulkner cawlley on Oxford’s Olden Days: Miss Annie’s Yard
Phil Higginbotham on ‘November 24’ by Shane Brown
Maralyn Bullion on Neely-Dorsey: Hog Killing Time
Beth Carr on A Letter To Mom
Becky on A Letter To Mom
Marilyn Tinnnin on A Letter To Mom
Roger ulmer on UM Takes Down State Flag
Chris Pool on UM Takes Down State Flag
TampaRebel on UM Takes Down State Flag
david smith on UM Takes Down State Flag
Boyd Harris on UM Takes Down State Flag
Jim (Herc @ UM) on Cleveland: Fall Vacations
Robert Hollingsworth on Rebels on the Road: Memphis Eateries
David McCullough on Shepard Leaves Ole Miss Football
Gayle G. Henry on Meet Your 2015 Miss Ole Miss
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Neely-Dorsey: Elvis Presley’s Big Homecoming
Jennifer Mooneyham on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Wes McIngvale on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
BARRY MCCAMMON on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
Laughing out Loud on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Dr.Bill Priester on Cleveland: On Bob Priester
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
paulette holmes langbecker on Cofield on Oxford – Rising Ole Miss Rookie
Ruth Shipp Yarbrough on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Karllen Smith on ‘Rilee’ by Shane Brown
Jean Baker Pinion on ‘The Cool Pad’ by Shane Brown
Janet Hollingsworth (Cavanaugh) on John Cofield on Oxford: A Beacon
Proud Mississippi Voter on Gunn Calls for Change in Mississippi Flag
Deloris Brown-Thompson on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Sue Ellen Parker Stubbs on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Karen fowler on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Don't Go to Law School on Four Legal Rebels Rising in the Real World
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
Joanne and Mark Wilkinson on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Mary Ellen (Dring) Gamble on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Cyndy Carroll on Filming it Up in Mississippi
Dottie Dewberry on Top 10 Secret Southern Sayings
Brother Everett Childers on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Mark McElreath on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Bill Wilkes, UM '57, '58, '63 on A Letter from Chancellor Dan Jones
Sandra Caffey Neal on Mississippi Has Proud Irish Heritage
Teresa Enyeart, and Terry Enyeat on Death of Ole Miss Grad, U.S. Vet Stuns Rebel Nation
P. D. Fyke on Wells: Steelhead Run
Johnny Neumann on Freeze Staying with Rebels
Maralyn Bullion on On Cooking Southern: Chess Pie
Kaye Bryant on Henry: E. for Congress
charles Eichorn on Hotty Tamales, Gosh Almighty
Jack of All Trades on Roll Over Bear Bryant
w nadler on Roll Over Bear Bryant
Stacey Berryhill on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
John Appleton on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Charlotte Lamb on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Two True Mississippi Icons
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Jeanette Berryhill Wells on HottyToddy Hometown: Senatobia, Mississippi
Tire of the same ole news on 3 "Must Eat" Breakfast Spots in Oxford
gonna be a rebelution on Walking Rebel Fans Back Off the Ledge
Nora Jaccaud on Rickshaws in Oxford
Martha Marshall on Educating the Delta — Or Not
Nita McVeigh on 'I'm So Oxford' Goes Viral
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on How a Visit to the Magnolia State Can Inspire You
Charlie Fowler Jr. on Prawns? In the Mississippi Delta?
Martha Marshall on A Salute to 37 Years of Sparky
Sylvia Hartness Williams on Oxford Approves Diversity Resolution
Jerry Greenfield on Wine Tip: Problem Corks
Cheryl Obrentz on I Won the Lottery! Now What?
Bnogas on Food for the Soul
Barbeque Memphis on History of Tennessee Barbecue
Josephine Bass on The Delta and the Civil War
Nicolas Morrison on The Walking Man
Pete Williams on Blog: MPACT’s Future
Laurie Triplette on On Cooking Southern: Fall Veggies
Harvey Faust on The Kream Kup of the Krop
StarReb on The Hoka
Scott Whodatty Keetereaux Keet on Hip Hop — Yo or No, What’s Your Call
Johnathan Doeman on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
Andy McWilliams on The Warden & The Chief
Kathryn McElroy on Think Like A Writer
Claire Duff Sullivan on Alert Dogs Give Diabetics Peace of Mind
Jesse Yancy on The Hoka
Jennifer Thompson Walker on Ole Miss, Gameday From The Eyes of a Freshman
HottyToddy.com