Dr. Jackson Announces Communications and Marketing Leader

Dr. Shanna L. Jackson has announced the hire of longtime communications professional Tom Hayden to lead Nashville State Community College’s new public information and marketing department.

As the associate vice president of Communications and Marketing, Hayden will be responsible for leading marketing, public information, media relations and creative services while providing overall strategic leadership to numerous internal and external functions.

“Tom’s strategic thinking, leadership, contacts and hands-on experience will be great assets in sharing the Nashville State story and making sure our internal efforts are aligned,” said Dr. Jackson, Nashville State’s president.

Hayden joined Nashville State after nearly eight years as a senior leader at MP&F Strategic Communications, a prominent public relations firm, where he led client teams ranging from Amazon to Tennessee Valley Authority, among others. Prior to working in the private sector, Tom was a longtime political communications professional, having served eight years as former U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis’ director of communications, press secretary and director of U.S. military academy appointments. He also served as former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean’s 2011 reelection campaign’s deputy campaign manager and director of Communications.

“As Nashville State nears its 50th anniversary, we have a wonderful opportunity to share our student success stories as well as our role as a leader in workforce development for Tennessee’s fastest-growing area,” Hayden said.