Resume
Jeffery Oliver is a collaborative, strategic, and enthusiastic communications expert with over 20 years of experience creating content that compels and building websites that work.
In November 2023, Oliver left full-time work as a web marketing and communications professional to pursue fine art photography and multimedia poetry making.
Experience
Contract Web Strategist, Designer, and Content Developer
March 2017 - present
Contracted by small businesses, universities, artists, entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations to optimize their websites and online content by creating content that compels and building websites that work based on data-driven design and current web and marketing trends.
Communications and Media Specialist
Boise State University College of Arts and Sciences | July 2021 - Nov. 2023
Hired by the Dean’s Office as a writer, photographer, content developer, website manager and communications project manager to develop and implement strategic communications, marketing and media relations for the college which includes the Dean’s Office, School of the Arts, School of the Environment and 22 academic departments.
Key contributions include:
Wrote and copy-edited 289 articles and internal announcements in AP style including feature stories that were published in the Boise State Magazine.
Produced AP style press releases and managed media inquiries for the college.
Developed internal email newsletters that informed and built affinity among the approximately 1,400 full- and part-time faculty and staff. These newsletters consistently received an over 70% open rate and over 10% click-through rate.
Organized content and contributors for the bi-annual pre-recorded college meetings that were presented via Zoom. Recorded, edited and published the college meeting videos along with accessible captions and full transcripts according to Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 guidelines.
Created a blog for students within the college to easily find announcements for student opportunities including internships, scholarships and grants.
Project leader who worked collaboratively across departments on marketing new college initiatives like the Gap Year Program, student advising and the Humanities and Social Sciences Initiative.
Organized, directed and produced photo shoots and video projects in development of visual assets for print publications, websites and social media channels.
Communications and Training Specialist
Boise State University Office of Information Technology | Sept. 2012 - July 2021
Hired by the Office of Information Technology Communications department as a writer, video producer, instructor and communications project manager to distill complex ideas and information into easy to understand articles, videos, technical documentation, classes and workshops in order to introduce new technologies and systems to and increase the technology fluency of faculty, staff and students at Boise State.
Key contributions include:
Developed training and documentation on how to create effective and accessible videos using tools supported by the IT department. I facilitated the community of practice around video creation on campus.
Wrote articles and press releases to announce new technology research and development at Boise State including articles on complex subjects like hyper-converged cloud architecture, virtual reality and artificial intelligence in higher education.
Recorded and produced monthly informational videos with the chief information officer.
Developed and produced monthly email newsletters to the campus community that informed the university about new services, products and technology initiatives led by the IT department.
Created a series of videos and documentation on how to easily use and connect with technology such as video projectors and audio in classrooms.
Associate Director for Web and Electronic Communication
University of Alaska Anchorage | Nov. 2007 – Aug. 2012
Hired by the Office of Advancement, Communications and Public Relations as web strategist, product owner of the university website, digital brand developer, writer, video producer and electronic communications project manager to develop strategies and coordinate efforts across the university for effective web, email and social media communications for internal and external audiences.
Key contributions include:
Award-winning lead project manager and web designer for the redesign of the university website which reduced the website from over 100,000 pages to just under 10,000 pages that were optimized for SEO and fully accessible. We also focused the digital branding of the university from over 70 logos across websites to four primary logos. The project created a strong community of practice around web standards for usability and accessibility that saved the university approximately $3.2 million by coordinating expertise across the university.
Developed PowerPoint presentations and videos for and assisted with development of speeches for the university chancellor’s public talks and in her role as chair for the United States Arctic Research Commission appointed by President Barack Obama.
Developed segmented email newsletters that demonstrated the impact of the university on individuals, departments, Anchorage and the state of Alaska resulting in increased affinity for the university across Alaska and the Pacific Northwest and which contributed to fund raising efforts and state-level budget increases.
Developed and produced the University of Alaska Anchorage Podcast program extending the reach of special events and lectures to remote regions of Alaska.
Wrote feature articles in AP style for “Accolades,” the university alumni magazine.
Led a team of five communications specialists who are all still friends today.
Web Designer and Developer
Grundstufe Design | April 2001 – Sept. 2012
Founded web design, development, and communications consulting company to provide a full range of web services from strategy through implementation. Specialized in CMS development using various systems including WordPress and Squarespace. Provided web communications strategy, project consulting, website design, branding guidelines, photography, video production, content development, HTML email marketing strategy and design, and social media strategy and integration. Worked with contracted designers, developers, and specialists as needed.
Education
M.F.A Creative Writing & Literary Arts
Poetry and Nonfiction Emphasis | University of Alaska Anchorage | Fall 2008
B.A. Music
Arkansas Tech University | Spring 1995