Executive Strategist. Higher Ed Scholar. Institutional Storyteller.
Bridging the gap between sophisticated brand strategy and the complexities of the modern research university
Dr. Shantay Piazza is a strategic communications and marketing executive with nearly 20 years of experience shaping institutional reputation within the nation’s most complex, research-driven environments. As a trusted advisor to senior leadership, she is recognized for building high-performing teams and delivering data-informed strategies that amplify research impact, elevate institutional storytelling, and drive global visibility.
Having advanced through progressively senior leadership roles at The Ohio State University, Shantay has spent two decades navigating the intricate intersections of departmental, college, and central administration. Her career is defined by a unique ability to bridge silos—having successfully led marketing and communications portfolios for the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Law, and Veterinary Medicine, as well as the Office of Government Affairs. This breadth of experience allows her to harmonize disparate voices into a single, powerful institutional narrative.
Shantay’s leadership is informed by a rare combination of technical marketing expertise and deep academic scholarship. In addition to her MS in Marketing and Communications, she holds an EdD in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Her Dissertation in Practice, Finding My Fit: Exploring How FGCS From Rural Ohio Counties Experience Sense of Belonging at Ohio State, focuses on how universities can expand access and foster a sense of belonging for minoritized identities—insights she integrates directly into her brand strategies to ensure institutional messaging is both authentic and inclusive.
A passionate storyteller, Shantay specializes in identifying the "exclamation point" moments that bring an institution’s mission to life. She is a 2025 Buckeye Wellness Leadership Award winner, a testament to her commitment to building inclusive, high-accountability cultures. She is dedicated to creating distinct, indelible brand experiences that move audiences from passive observers to lifelong advocates.
Education
BA, English, The Ohio State University
MS, Marketing and Communications, Franklin University EdD, Higher Education and Student Affairs, The Ohio State University (May 2025)
Contact
shantaypiazza@gmail.com