People
There’s nothing like being on a college campus to delight you about the possibilities for our nation’s future. I love standing in front of a college-level seminar group and seeing the idealism and promise on the faces of the students. I love the fact that they’ll say anything, try anything and most will actually learn from it. I am proud to be among the many thousands of administrators and faculty who hold this experience dear.
I am also proud to share my experience in higher education, health care and government with Widmeyer’s clients. As team lead for the Higher Education practice, I am fortunate to work with creative, astute and experienced colleagues. We are passionate about helping our clients tell their stories in compelling ways and keeping them ahead of the communications and policy curve.
Connect with me:
Biography:
Chris Messina-Boyer is a vice president in the firm’s higher education practice. Messina-Boyer brings more than 20 years of communications and public affairs experience in education, government and health care to Widmeyer’s diverse client roster.
Messina-Boyer is a seasoned communicator with experience creating messaging for varied audiences and media, particularly with organizationally sensitive, unpopular and controversial issues. She has created numerous communications plans which have positively impacted institutions’ reputational standing, increased enrollment and solidified their brand.
In her work at colleges and universities, Messina-Boyer developed numerous creative marketing campaigns and directed public relations, media relations and advocacy programs. She also created and conducted research to inform the messaging for programs that have increased public awareness internationally and secured increased enrollment.
She counseled presidents on policies, priorities and conflict resolution for all levels of universities, including work with trustees, students, parents, faculty, staff and alumni. She also managed the process for and participated in major campus restructuring.
Messina-Boyer served as Assistant to the President at Rider University where she directed the university’s communications efforts and was the first female vice president at Muhlenberg College in her role as VP of Public Relations.
She has logged many hours as an adjunct professor of public relations, media relations and lobbying.
Most recently, Messina-Boyer spent five years at Cooper University Hospital working with the CEO to develop and execute a comprehensive strategic internal communications plan. Her award-winning social media strategy led to increased patient appointments, physician visibility and health information dissemination. Messina-Boyer’s expertise in crisis communications was tested with the trauma hospital admission of then-Governor Jon Corzine. During his 18 days as a patient, 11 in intensive care, she led the crisis team in its response to 24/7 media inquiries.
She also worked as Director of Public Affairs at Millennium Cell on new energy issues, and was Chief of Staff to a U.S. Congressman.
Messina-Boyer is devoted to assisting women to understand their own health care needs as well as those of their family members. She created two women’s health resource centers, one in Pennsylvania and one in New Jersey, and served on the board of a number of women’s health and education organizations, including establishing a 501c3, the City of Alexandria, Virginia’s Commission for Women.
Messina-Boyer holds an M.A. in Government from John Hopkins University and a B.A. in Communications and Public Relations from St. Louis University.
Contact information:
- 1129 20th St NW, Suite 200,
Washington, DC 20036
Phone 202.667.0901
Fax 202.667.0902
