Amy Dion is a forward-thinking marketing strategist with a strong foundation in community involvement and small business advocacy. With two decades of experience in crafting impactful marketing strategies and creative solutions, Amy excels at connecting people, projects, and opportunities to create lasting change.
Amy holds a Bachelor’s in Photography with a concentration in Photojournalism and a Master’s in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University. She was a certified advisor during her time with the IL Small Business Development Center (SBDC), working closely with entrepreneurs to develop tailored marketing strategies that fueled growth and engagement.
Experience in publication development, Amy’s career has seamlessly blended her expertise in design, journalism, and marketing. She worked as the Creative Director for a regional Health magazine, where she led design, managed advertising, and overall vision for the publication. Amy also directed and designed the Morsel, a quarterly health and lifestyle magazine that earned recognition, including the 2021 Silver Addy Award for Magazine Design.
Her professional journey includes leading marketing initiatives for SIU’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development, where she developed successful events like Marketing Unleashed and the Southern Illinois Goose Chase, boosting small business visibility, engagement, and regional collaboration. Additionally, Amy’s role as Marketing Manager for the Neighborhood Co-op involved overseeing creative campaigns, managing budgets, and organizing community-driven events like the Annual Farm Crawl to foster local business support.
Beyond her professional work, Amy is deeply committed to her community. As President of the American Advertising Federation’s Southern Illinois chapter, she leads efforts to strengthen connections between local creatives and businesses. Amy’s volunteers on the Carbondale Economic Development Committee, Carbondale Splash Park Fundraising Committee, and was Secretary of the Carbondale Tourism Board further showcase her passion for building and enhancing the region’s growth.
Amy has a longstanding connection with the Daily Egyptian, having worked there as a photojournalist and photo editor during her college years. Recognizing the positive influence that experience had on her, she is excited to return in a role that allows her to mentor students and help expand the DE's reach and impact.
Her work has garnered recognition, including:
2021 Magazine Design Silver Addy Award
Gold Award in the “Higher Education Marketing Report” 24th annual Admissions Advertising Awards competition
Cathy was hired as a permanent civil service employee in 1993. Over the years, she worked in the Master of Science in Public Administration Office (MPA-Political Science), the Center for Rural Health & Economic Development (at Small Business Incubator), the College of Agriculture Dean’s Office, the College of Science Dean’s Office, and the Mass Communication & Media Arts Graduate Studies Office. She is currently an Accountant in the School of Journalism & Advertising in the College of Arts & Media.
For several years, she was active as a member and leader of the Association of Civil Service Employees (ACsE), the civil service union on campus. During this time, Cathy represented employees during grievances, negotiated several union contracts, created a newsletter, and various other projects to benefit her fellow civil service employees.
Cathy loves her job and the many people she has come to know while working at SIU. She is a jack-of-all-trades and willing to help in any capacity needed.
Darlene is a Southern Illinois native. She studied music education at Southern Illinois University and received a paralegal degree in Louisville, KY. She moved back to area in 2012 from Louisville, KY where she had worked at YUM Brands as a Leasing Accountant.
She was hired at SIU in 2013 splitting her day between the Communications Department and Theater & Dance Department. She began working full time in the Theater Department in 2018. In 2022 she moved to the School of Journalism and Advertising as Office manager.
Darlene is the keyboardist and singer in the West of 57 band. They play at the State Fairs in Illinois and the Shrimp festival in Golconda. She loves the energy and creativity of the Faculty, Staff and students in the School of Journalism and Advertising.
