Recently Retired UHart Staff Member Mildred McNeill Receives Prestigious Honor

The Public Relations Society of America Greater Connecticut Chapter has named Mildred McNeill, who served as the University of Hartford's executive director of marketing and communication for 14 years before her retirement this past summer, its 2020 Practitioner of the Year.

​The award recognizes individuals who, throughout their careers, demonstrate an outstanding example of excellence in the industry, helping to deliver meaningful results to improve the connection between employer and related constituencies.

​McNeill, a resident of Avon, Conn., began her career in television, working for 13 years at Connecticut’s NBC affiliate (WVIT, Channel 30), where she became the first Black female television news director in the country and was ultimately appointed vice president, news and public affairs. She later worked in marketing at United Way of the Capital Area in Hartford, helping the now nearly 100-year old agency achieve record fundraising results of over $25 million and exceed its fundraising goals. McNeill's career also included developing and implementing public relations and communication programs for the Connecticut Education Association, the state’s largest teachers’ union, and for the Office of the State Treasurer.

Watch virtual presentation of award and acceptance speech:

"Mildred is a connector and a trailblazer," said PRSA CT President Derek Beere. "She truly exemplifies all that's good about the practice of public relations and shares willingly with the next generation."

McNeill came to the University in 2007 as a director in marketing communication, supervising the marketing staff responsible for the website, graphic design, advertising, and publications. In 2008, she was promoted to lead the office, charged with enhancing University visibility, recognition, and reputation, in addition to managing a web redesign project that introduced a professional content management system. 

In 2011, she conducted the University’s first ever image and identity research, to streamline and integrate University messaging, with an emphasis on overall academic excellence and student support. The result was an award-winning branding and image campaign introduced in 2013 that included a new style guide and messaging, new print and online materials, redesigned University and athletic logos, a television commercial, social media campaigns, and an updated web site.

Active in the UHart community, McNeill served as an inaugural participant in the Laura Johnson Initiative for Women Leaders, on the President’s Commission on Women, MLK Day planning committee, President’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, University Partnership Council, Foundations of the Future, Situation Management Team (SMT), the President’s Council, the Belonging and Being Seen Travelers Partnership planning committee, and as co-chair of the Faculty and Staff of Color Affinity Group.

During her years at UHart, McNeill planned and executed countless high-profile and complex events. Some of the events she planned and coordinated include President Obama’s 2013 visit to campus, senatorial and gubernatorial candidate debates, a 10-year 9/11 commemoration, the construction kickoff and opening for the Handel Performing Arts Center, and the University High School of Science and Engineering’s first graduation ceremony.