Carol Kirkland is the external relations and partnerships lead for the College of Information and Communications. Her office is tucked in the corner on the second floor of the J-school through a pair of double doors. A College of Charleston graduate with a history of teaching women’s leadership, Kirkland has recently settled at her new home within the university.
Kirkland has 20 years of experience in the private sector developing programs for non-profits. Since joining the CIC in 2022, Kirkland’s ambition is “connecting people and connecting opportunity,” she said. Kirkland works closely with CIC Dean Tom Reichert developing and achieving strategic initiatives and managing external partnerships with the CIC.
“The College of Information and Communications Corporate Partnership Program is instrumental in connecting our students with industry professionals who share their expertise through providing educational content, mentorships, intern opportunities and recruiting events that all help launch their careers,” Kirkland said.
In February 2023, Kirkland and Reichert traveled on a three-city tour — including New York — speaking with sponsors about potential opportunities at the CIC.
“The College of Information and Communications Corporate Partnership Program is instrumental in connecting our students with industry professionals who share their expertise through providing educational content, mentorships, intern opportunities and recruiting events that all help launch their careers.”
-- Carol Kirkland
The pair got the CIC its first exclusive sponsorship, from Hearst Television, for its spring career fair.
“Hearst is not only going to sponsor the career fairs, but the day before, they are bringing in one of their media trucks and a team with their cameras, and they’re going to share a live experience of what it’s like to work with their trucks and broadcast,” Kirkland said.
The extra day of exposure from Hearst Television allows students to learn more about CIC’s external involvement with the company and elevate their level of experience in journalism or broadcasting.
Kirkland’s job as lead of external relations and partnerships is twofold: connecting the school with partnerships and meeting people face to face, to improve the overall college experience for students.
Kirkland compares the J-school staff to an Olympic team.
“We’re all in the Olympics running a track and field event. We’re all running together but in our own lane with our individual responsibilities, and there’s a secondary layer to it all where we are purposely coordinating all our teams together,” Kirkland said.
The CIC Corporate Partnership Program offers four levels of partner packages that all provide each partner the opportunity for brand recognition, unique touch points within the college along with a strong pipeline of skill-ready students.
Want to be a corporate partner or collaborate with the CIC?
Reach out to Kirkland at ck52@mailbox.sc.edu.