The Council for Advancement and Support of Education, a global nonprofit dedicated to educational advancement, recently bestowed one of its highest accolades upon Tracy Syler-Jones, vice chancellor for Marketing & Communication.
At the CASE regional conference, Syler-Jones was presented District IV's Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes an individual for their significant commitment to the advancement profession, both by service to their institution and volunteer service to CASE.
“I was so honored and surprised to receive this award and am very grateful for the many opportunities CASE provided, especially while I was early in my higher education marketing and communication career,” Syler-Jones said. “Additionally, TCU encouraged and supported my CASE involvement and for that, I am very thankful. I am also pleased that my work with CASE opened doors for my team to participate as a CASE presenter, participating as a judge for CASE awards or serving on national advisory committees.”
Her nomination chronicles the incredible impact she has had at TCU.
“In her 20-plus year tenure at TCU, Tracy has essentially built the university’s marketing and communication unit (MKC) from the ground up,” it reads. “The scope of marketing and communication has grown exponentially during Tracy’s tenure. The university’s audiences, messages and channels have all grown and diversified to accommodate the emergence and dominance of digital media.”
Lead On, TCU’s award-winning brand platform and rallying cry since 2017, is the culmination of this growth and Syler-Jones’ guidance. More than a slogan, Lead On has taken on new life as the inspiring theme of TCU’s strategic plan and capital campaign.
“Tracy’s mix of tenacity and empathy make her an exemplary leader,” reads the nomination. “Though there are many great minds in the marketing and communication field, few—if any—are quite like Tracy. She exemplifies what it means to Lead On (TCU’s brand mantra) in both her personal and professional life.”
When Syler-Jones began her TCU career as assistant director of the division in 1999, she was new to Texas but wasn’t new to the field, having been director of communications for YMCA of Birmingham, Alabama. Syler-Jones quickly demonstrated a robust work ethic and a talent for understanding the value of crisis communication as well as the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. A highly respected voice and champion for DEI, Syler-Jones has been instrumental in integrating DEI not only within marketing and communication, but in the very fabric of the university itself.
In 2009 she was promoted to vice chancellor, reporting to the chancellor and serving as the university’s chief marketing and communication strategist.
Syler-Jones received her bachelor's degree in journalism with an emphasis in radio/television news from San Diego State University and her master's degree in business administration from TCU. She is a graduate and board member of Leadership Fort Worth. She also serves on the Fort Worth Metropolitan YMCA’s marketing subcommittee. She is a trustee-at-large for CASE, a regular speaker at CASE conferences, and previously served on CASE's Commission on Marketing and Communication. She is a member of AMA (American Marketing Association), AAF-Fort Worth (American Advertising Federation) and PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) Greater Fort Worth Chapter.