Alabama State University alumna Shani Crayton (Class of 2008) has returned to her alma mater as Interim Executive Director Of Strategic Communications & Marketing. The Emmy-nominated journalist previously served as the director of Brand and Marketing at ASU, after gaining more than 15 years of experience in television broadcasting and marketing.
On the job only a few weeks, the Fairfield, Ala., native has already hit the ground running, helping to promote several major national initiatives for the University. Crayton has been described as a marketing dynamo.
“I am overjoyed and humbled to have been named to my new position at O’ Mother Dear,” said Crayton, from her office suite in William Harper Councill Hall. “The love that I have for the University is deep within my heart and receiving this promotion is a profound and positive event in my life.”
Crayton is a proud Legacy Hornet. The ranks of ASU graduates in her family include her siblings, a nephew, and her father, Mikul Leonard (Class of 1974), who was a standout basketball player for the Hornets.
Crayton holds a bachelor of science degree in Communications-Radio/TV (and a master’s in Education) with more than15 years in broadcast television expertise at WSFA 12 News, the NBC Network Affiliate in Montgomery, Ala., which is one of the highest-rated NBC affiliates in the nation. While at WSFA, she started as a part-time editor while finishing her degree at ASU and advanced through the ranks as senior editor, newscast director, operations supervisor, and senior technical media producer and news operations supervisor.
A committed alumna, Crayton has taught television broadcast classes at ASU and served on the external advisory board for ASU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She also is a member of Leadership Montgomery Torchbearers Class XII.
She is married to Kris (Class of 2009) and has an elementary-aged son.
Crayton boasts that she was a member of the Hornet Nation Family even before she was born. “ASU chose me long before I was even born. I was a Hornet from day one because of the long lineage of ASU Hornets that have been in my life,” stated Crayton.
“Over 20 years ago, I chose ASU so I could experience that Ole ‘Bama State Spirit firsthand. Now, I have chosen ASU once again because it is home, and I hope to enhance that Bama State Spirit for all of our future Hornets.”
