Jessica has a background in print and broadcast journalism, media buying, marketing, strategic communications planning, video production, entrepreneurship and public relations. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in photography and minor business administration from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, and her master’s degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership from the University of West Florida in Pensacola
Jessica began her journalism career at The Sun newspaper in Yuma, Ariz., where she was a reporter, photographer and editor of The Sun Visitor, a weekly publication that served the annual winter visitors to the area. Her work on a month-long domestic violence investigative series earned her the Yuma County Domestic Violence Task Force Saundra J Shadle-Lackey Award in 1999. She also filled in as a morning co-host for the NBC television affiliate, KYMA, for several months while permanent talent was recruited. Soon after, Jessica met and married her husband, Rodney, a U.S. Marine, and was subject to relocation every few years, changing her career plans. Jessica is an expert in "adapt and overcome."
In Orange County, Calif., she was a media planner and buyer, as well as commercial script writer and production manager for a small direct marketing advertising agency. After relocating to Pensacola, Fla., Jessica was a member of the marketing team for a large, $1 billion regional credit union, developing and executing two of their annual advertising campaigns. Jessica also earned her master’s degree from the University of West Florida while in Pensacola, working part time as a graduate teaching assistant, teaching basic communication. Receiving orders for the family to move to Iwakuni, Japan, she launched a crafting class business, and a photography studio to serve the families stationed abroad. Jessica was also hired by UWF as an adjunct instructor, teaching two sections of Global Communication online.
Ever the entrepreneur, Jessica has owned half a dozen retail and service businesses, including Pike County Mercantile, a co-op type shop featuring local artisans’ work, and Jessica Guthrie Photography, which included a portrait studio and photography workshops.
Volunteer work is important to Jessica. She served as a Marine Corps spouse mentor while overseas, through three different on-base organizations. She also served as Pike County Rotary Club president 2021-22 Rotary year, and founding president of Picture Pittsfield, a community improvement non-profit in Pike County, IL, from October 2018-March 2021. Completed community projects included a paved walking path, professional disc golf course, the Deer Santa Festival, and a dog park to replace decades-old dilapidated tennis courts. She was honored as the Pike County Volunteer of the Year by the chamber of commerce in 2020. While her family was stationed in Iwakuni, Japan, she was one of four business owners who launched the Iwakuni Home-based Business Organization, or IHBO, as a sort of chamber of commerce, to present a united front to base leaders and plan quarterly shopping events for base personnel.
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.
