Caitlin Shear. Photo provided.
As director of Integrated Enrollment Marketing (IEM) at George Mason University, Caitlin Shear is primarily responsible for undergraduate marketing and communications activities in support of the university’s enrollment goals. Her team also supports marketing for university initiatives like ADVANCE and the Online Virginia Network.
But according to faculty and staff, Shear is more than just a supervisor, she is a leader.
“Caitlin is the heart and soul of Integrated Enrollment Marketing,” said Patrick Maslinski, a social media intern at IEM. “It is because of Caitlin and the wonderful team she has here that I very much enjoy coming to work each day.”
For her strong leadership and dedication to students, Shear is the September Employee of the Month.
“Knowing that my staff nominated me for this recognition is the best award I could ever receive,” Shear said.
Shear has worked at Mason for 10 years. She was hired to lead the Office of Integrated Enrollment Management when it was created by David Burge, vice president of enrollment management, in 2016.
Anthony Fennell, a marketing assistant at IEM, said Shear makes it exciting to come to work.
“The energy, compassion, and kindness that she exudes is contagious,” he said.
Shear praised her team and its work.
“We’re very proud of the recruitment content we create that allows the student voice to really come through and reflect the unique experience at Mason,” she said. “Amplifying these diverse student voices is certainly something we’re excited to do every day.”
How she got here:
I've spent more than 30 years working in marketing and project management for nonprofits and universities. I'm celebrating 10 years at Mason this year, having worked in the Admissions Office on the Washington Scholars Program, at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, and now leading the Integrated Enrollment Marketing efforts for Enrollment Management.
Best day on the job:
Other than being selected Employee of the Month? My best days on the job are those spent building new, collaborative partnerships with colleagues across the university, and creating authentic and compelling marketing content together with my team.
What she likes best about working at Mason:
The mission and values of Mason really resonate with me. But I'd have to say it is the relationships I have with my colleagues that are most rewarding on a daily basis. I am lucky to have an amazing boss, a fantastic team and inspiring colleagues across the university. These relationships are what make any challenge feel lighter, and any success feel sweeter.
What she does when not working:
I love to read, cook, bake and travel. I'm an enthusiastic student of Roman history and archaeology and try to incorporate visits to important sites in our travel. Ephesus and Pompeii are favorites. My husband and I are about to be empty-nesters, so once we are past COVID-19, we are looking forward to more opportunities to tackle our travel bucket list.