Marathana Prothro joined the staff of Hesston College in mid December as director of marketing and communications. Prothro works closely with the Advancement, Admissions and Alumni teams as well as departments across campus as she leads the college’s marketing and communication efforts and she directs the Communications office staff.

Yvonne Sieber, vice president of advancement and Prothro’s supervisor, is impressed with Prothro’s early efforts. “Marathana has connected well with her staff and colleagues across campus in the days before Christmas break. Her personality and creative ideas attract others to her cause and will contribute to her success here.

“This role is key to the future of the college,” Sieber continued, “and we asked Marathana to meet with a broad range of people across campus in the interview process. Without exception people were impressed with her educational background, interactive style and the ideas and plans she presented for moving the college forward. Marathana’s ability to see the broader picture and draw others to the effort will serve her well in this role. I’m excited to see how her efforts and leadership will help the college reach its goals in attracting students, connecting with alumni and inviting others to support the college.”

Prothro previously served as identity director for Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership at the denomination’s Newton, Kan., office from 2005 to 2009. In that role she facilitated and oversaw development of communication and brand strategies for the national denomination and its church-wide conventions, directed team creative process and oversaw the organization’s first social media plan. From 2003 to 2005 Prothro was news editor for the Newton Kansan, a daily newspaper.

A graduate of Southwestern College, Winfield, Kan., Prothro will complete a master’s degree in communication in May 2010 at Wichita (Kan.) State University.