Shaylee Gibbs
Shaylee Gibbs is a PR and Communications Specialist with a passion for storytelling and community connection. A Texas native now based in Kansas, Shaylee earned her Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Editing from Sterling College in 2024. Throughout her academic journey, she balanced a rigorous course load with leadership roles, including serving as Head Editor for The Observer and competing on the women’s soccer team, all while nurturing her love for writing and narrative craft.
Currently, Shaylee serves as the Public Relations Manager at Friends University, where she leverages her expertise to create compelling content and strategic communications that elevate the university’s brand and foster meaningful engagement. She has played a key role in producing Focus Magazine, Friends University’s alumni publication, and regularly shares stories that highlight the achievements of the university community. Shaylee’s work bridges the gap between storytelling and marketing, using her skills to connect diverse audiences.
Outside of her professional role, Shaylee is a published author with her novel The Sin and the Boy and is an avid reader with an ever-growing personal library. She enjoys exploring the intersection of creativity and communication, always seeking new ways to inspire through both her writing and strategic outreach. Shaylee is eager to connect with others who share a passion for stories, strategy, or simply a good cup of coffee.
• Sterling College
• Courses taken for The Kansas Leadership Center
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a genuine desire to connect with others through storytelling and communication, combined with a strong commitment to listening carefully and ensuring every detail is accurate. I’m passionate about writing and eager to share stories that matter, which drives me to continuously improve and pursue publishing opportunities. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors like Holly Schmidt, who introduced me to PR and higher education, and Rachel Millard at Friends University, who has supported my growth in higher ed—both have played a key role in shaping my career.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I have had many mentors throughout my life that have given me advice on how to improve myself, my work, and my motivations. But the best advice I have received came from an old high school teacher, who, upon learning that I had been accepted into my alma mater and was moving out of state to attend college, told me this: "always keep moving."
There should never me a moment in your life where you are not doing something. And as critical as that sounds, it doesn't mean drive you drive yourself into the ground. Rather, my teacher meant that there's never enough excuses in the world to keep someone from being the best they can be. Whether you're taking an online class, attending a social event, stopping to pick up coffee for others, everything and anything has to mean growth. Because essentially when you dictate all this meaning in your life, it makes your life meaningful.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you are working in higher education, then times like these are scary. You're probably going to hear a lot of negative reactions to the government and feel stuck. So, take the time to visit the people you're serving. Students, faculty, staff, emeritus professors, alumni, all still appreciate what you do and what it takes to keep your campus in good light. Relations is in the name of the job, so make it a personal goal to make those relationships strong.
As for those outside of the higher education industry, for business PR, I would recommend doing much of the same thing. Networking means opportunity, and you never know what someone could offer if you never build that relationship with them.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and dedication are the values I hold most important in both my work and personal life. I take pride in delivering meaningful work—like publishing my novel, The Sin and The Boy, in July 2024, and successfully producing the Friends University alumni magazine each semester. Outside of work, I find inspiration through reading a wide range of genres, including fantasy, non-fiction, self-help, and poetry, which continually fuels my creativity and growth.
