University News

Just Hired: Savannah Ballard

October 17, 2024

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Just Hired! Through the experiences of local, regional, national and international students, Western Illinois University has some incredible alumni who are changing the world in the workforce. This series will feature students from all over the world who are hired post-graduation.

MACOMB, IL - - Meet Savannah Ballard, a Spring 2024 graduate of Communication, who has accepted a job with the City of Macomb as the Marketing and Downtown Development Director.

"My role with the city includes planning community events in Downtown Macomb, administering the city's social media platforms and website and working to boost economic development on the Downtown Square," Ballard said.

Ballard shares her passion for completing an internship at WIU, that led her to other opportunities.

"During my senior year at WIU, I worked as the Social Media Manager for the College of Fine Arts and Communication. For my final semester, I wanted to do an Independent Study working with digital communication. My boss at the time, Dana Moon, who is on the board of the Humane Society of McDonough County, suggested I work with the organization and manage their social media for the semester and I took the opportunity. I worked closely with the board and gained invaluable experience working in marketing. Toward the end of the semester, a different board member sent me the information to a job opening with the City of Macomb as their Marketing and Downtown Development Director. After living in Macomb for two years and having fallen in love with the town I decided to apply, and was gratefully offered the job," Ballard said.
Ballard feels her experience at WIU was invaluable. She was able to network with my professors, classmates and community leaders.

"I embraced every chance to get involved, volunteer, and assume leadership roles, which I believe paved the way for my current career opportunity. My degree in Communication aligns perfectly with my daily work. The education and strategies I acquired—particularly in public speaking, social media communication, organizational communication, and crisis communication—have equipped me to work confidently in my role," Ballard said.

Ballard plans to stay involved with WIU through her role with the city.
"I have so many opportunities to stay involved with the University. We are very fortunate to have an amazing Town and Gown relationship with WIU and I love being able to represent the City as a Western Alumnus. One initiative that I love getting to partner on is the Downtown Block Party, which is an event hosted downtown in Chander Park to welcome back students and show them all of the amazing things that Macomb has to offer. I also get to occasionally get back in the classroom, as a presenter this time, to teach students about what I do for the City and talk about ways that I use my degree in my career," Ballard said.

To share your hiring story with WIU, visit forms.gle/him2LFf9eyCb5yKk9.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing