R&I welcomes new Communications Lead to team

Shelby VanderEnde
Research & Innovation welcomes Shelby VanderEnde, Communications Lead to team.

Research & Innovation (R&I) is pleased to welcome Shelby VanderEnde to Niagara College in the position of Communiations Lead.

“I’m so pleased to be joining the Research & Innovation team at Niagara College,” she said. “Before starting at the College, I spoke with a friend who had previously worked here. When I inquired about what I could expect, they said I would come across people who are experts in their field, passionate about what they do and are genuinely kind.

“In my first few weeks at the College, I can already confirm that his experience is exactly what I’m experiencing. Everyone on this team is extremely driven by the work they do and I’m excited to get the chance to help tell their stories and show the impact their work has on industry.”

In her current role as Communications Lead, Shelby provides a full range of communications services to the Research & External Relations (RER) portfolio, with emphasis on the Innovation Centres of the R&I division.

She implements communication plans to support projects, events, publications and media relations. Her role also allows her to be the primary staff member responsible for creating, writing and editing internal and external communication pieces (including gathering facts, planning and research).

“Everyone on this team is extremely driven by the work they do and I’m excited to get the chance to help tell their stories and show the impact their work has on industry.”

Shelby started her career as the Communications and Public Relations Coordinator at Vineland Research & Innovation Centre. During her time there, she was exposed to the work that Research & Innovation did when she worked with the College on getting a new sweet potato variety turned into fries, chips and more delicious treats for several horticultural conferences.

Following her time at Vineland, Shelby worked for almost four years at Niagara Region as the Corporate Communications Advisor. Shelby provided critical support to the Communications team in developing and implementing internal and external marketing communications plans. At the Region, she also found herself being the go-to contact for planning and implementing special events and announcements.

Shelby graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Popular Music and Film Studies. Following that, she attended Mohawk College, where she completed the Public Relations post-graduate certificate.

In her personal time, she enjoys teaching Zumba part-time at Brock University, and has a passion for singing, piano and musical theatre. She lives in St. Catharines with her husband Jonathan and their tuxedo cat, Molly.

For more information on the communications objectives of the Research & Innovation division, you can contact her by email at [email protected], or by phone at 905-735-2211, ext. 7172.