The Office of Marketing and Communications shares Transylvania’s story with a number of audiences through print and digital media. It serves the communication needs for all offices on campuses, as well as manages the university’s branding, website, magazine, media relations and advertising, among other areas.
Megan Moloney
Vice President for Marketing and Communications
Megan joined Transylvania in July 2018 after 22 years of overseeing a range of media and public relations activities at several federal agencies. Among those assignments, she served as the director of digital media engagement for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, press secretary on the Deepwater Horizon response, a public affairs specialist at the U.S. Secret Service and director of radio and television production at the White House. Megan has also worked as a radio and television reporter, producer and director, receiving a regional Emmy Award and multiple nominations, as well as several Ohio Associated Press awards. She holds degrees from Miami University (B.S., mass communications) and Johns Hopkins University (M.A., management). A native of Lexington, Megan is also a certified Irish dance instructor and director of the Bluegrass Ceili Academy. She serves as a volunteer on multiple boards, including the Bluegrass Irish Society, and is a local advisory board member for Phi Mu Fraternity.
Monica Allan
Graphic Designer
Monica joined Transylvania in 2021 as one of the graphic designers. Prior to moving to Kentucky in 2018, she worked as a graphic designer and event manager in New York City. She earned a B.A. from Seton Hall University in New Jersey where she grew up. When not at Transylvania, Monica can often be found traveling around the world with her husband, trying new restaurants in Lexington and visiting her family.
Lee Boone
Web Developer/Designer
Lee came to Transylvania after seven years as a freelance web developer. He was born and raised in nearby Winchester, Kentucky, but his family has been here for much longer—his great great great great great great uncle is Pioneer Daniel Boone (unfortunately, Lee never got to meet him). He has a B.F.A. in graphic design from Western Kentucky University and an M.F.A. in sequential art from Savannah College of Art and Design. In his spare time, he plays games, collects comic books and tries all kinds of recipes with his wife and children.
John Friedlein
Digital Media Engagement Manager
John is a social media manager and writer for Transylvania. He joined the communications staff after working as a newspaper reporter for 13 years. While at the Elizabethtown News‑Enterprise, he wrote a front-page feature column with an eye for the unusual. John earned a B.A. from the University of Louisville.
Joey Howard
Digital Content Specialist
Joey is a 2019 graduate from Transylvania University, where he studied English with a minor in Creative Writing. Shortly before graduating and after getting numerous opportunities to work on major film and television sets, Joey began directing and producing commercial projects through a production company he co-founded. After 3 years of running his own business, Joey joined the Transylvania team in fall 2022. When not working, Joey enjoys hiking, spending time with friends and family and watching movies in the theater any chance he can get.
Julie Martinez
Associate Vice President for University Marketing
Julie joined the communications staff in 2014. She oversees all projects and is the person to contact if you need communications services. She previously worked at the University of Kentucky producing documentaries and other multimedia projects for the College of Engineering. Prior to her time at UK she worked for a marketing firm and owned a small media production company focused on non-profit communication. She is originally from Kentucky, but spent nearly a decade in Los Angeles before returning to Lexington. Outside of work she enjoys traveling with her family, hosting international students, documentary filmmaking and home winemaking.
Laurie Preston
Enrollment Marketing and Communication Manager
Laurie joined the Office of Marketing and Communications staff as Enrollment Marketing and Communications Manager in 2024. She has worked in higher education, nonprofit and business marketing, event management, sales and advertising. She has a deep background in public and media relations and has been on-camera and voice talent for commercials and film. She has been a Fine Arts educator and theatre artist for 30 years and loves to bring her creative energy to collaborate on projects that will excite attracting future Pioneers. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her daughters and family, acting, directing and producing theatre and film projects, and traveling whenever possible.
Stephen Russell
Creative Director
Stephen joined Transylvania in February 2019. Most recently he worked at East Tennessee State University designing, providing creative direction and overseeing the university’s visual brand. Prior to working at ETSU, he spent nine years as the visual and motion designer for Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. While living in Pittsburgh, he and his wife served as foster parents. He was born in Ontario, Canada, but grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. He attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he received a B.A. in studio art and met his amazing wife. When not at Transylvania, he can often be found taking his wife and four kids on adventures to find waterfalls, playing the bass or harmonica at church or designing and implementing home improvement projects.