Rikki D. Nelson has been appointed director of marketing and public relations at Southeast Arkansas College.
With more than a decade of experience in marketing communications across various sectors — including organized labor, nonprofits, entertainment and small businesses in Los Angeles and Long Beach — Nelson brings a proven track record of strategic storytelling, digital innovation and media engagement to SEARK’s executive leadership team.
In her new role, Nelson will lead the college’s integrated marketing, branding and public relations strategies to enhance SEARK’s visibility, student recruitment and community engagement. Reporting directly to the president, she will oversee internal and external communications initiatives, ensuring alignment with the college’s mission and strategic goals.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rikki as our new Director of Marketing and Public Relations. With her exceptional experience and commitment to fostering meaningful connections, I am confident that she will help strengthen our college’s outreach, engagement, and impact both within the community and beyond,” SEARK President Tyrone Jackson said in a news release. “Her ability to connect with diverse audiences and elevate organizational narratives will be instrumental as we expand our impact in the Southeast Arkansas region.”
Nelson recently served as the communications coordinator for the Art Directors Guild, where she led national media campaigns, amplified the voices of underrepresented union members and managed rapid-response content development during major industry events. Previously, she managed social media and brand strategy for celebrity hairstylist Dr. Kari Williams, who created Goddess Locs and served Halle Bailey, SZA, Ava DuVernay and Megan Good as clients.
As director, Nelson will oversee collegewide communications, including crisis response, media relations, digital advertising and event promotion. She will also manage the college’s social media platforms, website content and community outreach campaigns. Additionally, she will supervise SEARK’s communications coordinator and be a member of the executive leadership team.
Nelson, a Little Rock native who graduated from Parkview High School and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, is deeply committed to educational equity and local storytelling. “Coming back to Arkansas to serve a mission-driven institution like SEARK and connecting with this community while amplify the stories of our students and faculty while helping to shape the future of SEARK,” she stated.