Name: Andrea Copeland (Pace)
Graduation Year(s): 2016
Major(s): Art/Graphic Design
Current Position/Job Title: Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Visit Springfield Missouri
City and State: Springfield, MO
Tell us about your career and what you do now.
After graduating from Evangel, I built a career in marketing and communications, working in both nonprofit and public-sector organizations. I’m currently serving as the Vice President of Marketing at Visit Springfield, where I lead a talented team focused on promoting tourism and enhancing Springfield’s brand as a travel destination. My role includes strategic planning, brand management, content development, media relations, and overseeing major marketing initiatives. I’m passionate about storytelling, community impact, and mentoring the next generation of creative professionals.
Tell us one achievement or accomplishment that stands out in your career!
This past year I was able to teach a few Graphic Design classes at SBU, and I loved it! I’m passionate about mentoring the next generation, and helping others find their passions. I’m currently working on my MBA in Marketing at Southwest Baptist University.
What is your favorite memory from Evangel?
There are so many! A memory that stands out is freshman year the faculty pray over the incoming students, and my dad Dr. Cameron Pace, prayed with me. We had already moved everything into my dorm room, and it was really time for parents to leave but since he teaches at Evangel we got to have a special moment and time with the Lord as I started my life at Evangel.
I loved my experience at Evangel. Living on campus, working on Activities Board, being an RA, and more, it was such a great time in my life.
How did Evangel help you identify/develop your calling?
Evangel provided an environment that I was able to thrive in, ask questions, learn, make friends, and learn. The faculty poured into me as a student helping me learn my craft, and went the extra mile anytime I was struggling. I was able to have a major and minor that helped me become a well rounded individual that was easily higherable. I was also able to learn how God gives you talents and you can use those not only to make money but also to minister and glorify him by using your talents.
How did your experience at Evangel prepare you for life after graduation?
Evangel helped me learn become a well-rounded employee with many skills outside of just my major, which really can help get you a job. They helped me learn more than just Graphic Design but also marketing, digital art, journalism, and pr/advertising. All things that help a Graphic Design make the jump from designer to executive. Evangel faculty also helped me with recommendations after I graduated, having faculty and staff that were able to talk to employers and give a good recommendation helped me get a job.
I was also an RA my junior and senior year, and that was extremely helpful in preparing me for leadership roles. I highly recommend getting involved in student activities and resident life.
What advice would you give a current student preparing for the workforce?
My advice for a current student would be to think about how you can advertise yourself to a future employer to get hired, what sets you apart from someone else. The other thing I would say is to keep learning, it doesn’t just stop when you graduate, it just changes and now no one is grading you. Learning new skills and pushing myself to reach new goals has really helped me reach where I am today. I kept learning more about Graphic Design, got several certifications in social media, SEO, and more in order to get ahead.
What would you look for if you were in a position to hire new graduates from Evangel?
Well for one, we hire interns and I would love to hire Evangel students.
I would look for someone who is talented and confident, but also willing and understands they still have more to learn. I would look for a graduate who has something special to offer and can help me solve a problem. Everyone who has a job opening has problems they need help with. Figure out what that is and be ready to tell me how you can help. If you are applying for a job in a creative field like marketing the presentation/design of your resume is important, its like your first impression, make sure it stands out.