Phi Theta Kappa Announces Staff Changes

New staff appointments have been announced by Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director Rod A. Risley.

"Phi Theta Kappa must continuously assess the changing needs of its constituents and allocate resources accordingly," said Risley. "We are pleased to announce these staff changes, which reflect our effort to provide professional leadership and quality service in areas critical to those we serve."

Ellen Carmody Roster has been named Associate Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer. Carmody Roster was previously Phi Theta Kappa's Chief Information Officer. She joined the International Headquarters staff in 1988.

Carmody Roster is a graduate of Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where she became a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She holds bachelor's degrees from Simmons College in Boston and St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She received her MBA degree from the Millsaps College Else School of Management in Jackson, Mississippi.

Carmody Roster is a candidate for a doctorate in education from the University of Minnesota.

In her new position Carmody Roster will oversee all Phi Theta Kappa day-to-day operations and programs.

Brian Koranda has been named Creative Director. He will oversee the Web Services and Publications departments. He was formerly Director of Web Services.

Koranda became a Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters staff member in 2004. He was previously employed as Director of Web Communications and Development at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. Koranda attended the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

Alison Britt is Phi Theta Kappa's new Recognition Services Coordinator. Britt received a bachelor of fine arts degree from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi.

Britt formerly was employed with Capitol Staffing, and also operated her own business. She will now assume responsibility for Recognitions inventory, and returns, exchanges and refunds. She is also involved in product research and customer support.

Melissa Mayer has been named Public Relations Officer and will be responsible for public information initiatives and marketing assistance. Mayer became a member of Phi Theta Kappa at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Mississippi. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg and holds a master's degree in liberal studies from Millsaps College.

Mayer was first associated with the Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters staff in 1989. She was formerly Director of Communications for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. She rejoined Phi Theta Kappa in 2004 as Publications Specialist.

Cindi Simonson is Phi Theta Kappa's Web Designer. She earned associate degrees from Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical, and a bachelor of fine arts degree from American InterContinental University.

Simonson was previously employed as Webmaster for Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical and has worked as a freelance web designer.

Courtney Taylor has joined the Institutional Advancement Department as Advancement Officer/Alumni Program Coordinator. Taylor was previously the Director of Annual Giving at Mississippi University for Women, and also served as an MUW's Coordinator of International Programs in the Office of Admissions.

Taylor holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Mississippi University for Women.