Lana Snodgras, director of communications, oversees the strategic communications and marketing for the West Plains School District in Missouri. She is an award-winning public relations strategist and writer with extensive professional experience in the public education sector. She has been working in communications and marketing for more than 18 years. Before joining West Plains Schools, Snodgras spent eight years in radio marketing. Snodgras received her degrees from Missouri State University and William Woods University. In addition to her work, Snodgras is a frequent public speaker, presenter, and a past president of the Missouri School Public Relations Association.

Lana lives in West Plains with her two daughters.

"It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln

Awards
2021 - National School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence - #ChooseToBeAZizzer Marketing Campaign
2021 - National School Public Relations Association Award of Merit - R.E.D. Magazine
2021 - National School Public Relations Association Honorable Mention- ZizzerPride E-News
2021 - National School Public Relations Association Honorable Mention- Printed marketing materials
2020 - Hermes Creative Gold Award Winner - Video Marketing
2020 - Hermes Creative Gold Honorable Mention- Print Publication
2020 - Hermes Creative Gold Award Winner - West Plains Schools Instagram Account
2019 - Missouri School Public Relations Gold Award - Marketing
2018 - National School Public Relations Association Award of Merit - Public and Digital Media
2018 - Hermes Creative Gold Award Winner - West Plains Schools Instagram Account
2018 - Marcom Award Winner - West Plains School Instagram Account
2015 - Recipient of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) "35 Under 35"
2014 - National School Public Relations Association Honorable Mention - District Magazine
2014 - Missouri School Public Relations Association - Marketing Materials
2013 - National School Public Relations Association Honorable Mention - District Magazine
2011 - Missouri School Public Relations Association "Rookie of the Year"
2011 - National School Public Relations Association Foundation Scholarship Recipient  

Presentations
·National School Public Relations Association, July 2022 - Showing the Value of Your School PR Program 2.0
·Missouri School Public Relations Association, April 2022 - Showing the Value of Your School PR Program
·Social School For Edu, December 2021 - Showing the Value of Your School PR Program
·National School Public Relations Association, July 2021 - Showing the Value of Your School PR Program
·National School Public Relations Association, July 2020 - Thirsty? Here's A Firehouse
·Missouri School Board Association, September 2020 - Why All School Districts Should Have a Public Relations Program
·Blackboard Communications, August 2020 - Thirsty? Here's A Firehouse
·National School Public Relations Association, July 2020 - Thirsty? Here's A Firehouse
·Oklahome School Public Relations Association, April 2019 - Thirsty? Here's A Firehouse
·Missouri School Board Association, September 2018 - I Wish I Would Have Known
·National School Public Relations Association, July 2018 - Who Lives on Your Sesame Street?
·Missouri School Public Relations Association, April 2018 - Who Lives on Your Sesame Street?
·Missouri School Board Association Leadership Summit, June 2018 - Fake News
·MOSPRA, March 2018 - Who Lives on Your Sesame Street?
·MOSPRA, March 2018 - I Wish I Would Have Known
·NSPRA, July 2017 - Dancing in the World of School PR
·TSPRA, February 2017- to Get it Right: Developing Effective Key Messages
·Blackboard World Conference, Las Vegas July 2016 - Telling Your District's Story
·Webinar, October 2016 - Telling Your District's Story
·Blackboard World Conference, Las Vegas July 2016 - Telling Your District's Story
·MOASBO, April 2014 – 10 Lessons Learned from a Pair of PR Rookies
·MASA/MOSPRA Spring Conference, March 2013 – Lessons Learned from a Pair of PR Rookies
·Missouri School Board Association, October 2013 – Universal Breakfast
·NSPRA Conference, July 2013 – Rookie Round-UP:  Sharing Lessons and Getting Started on the Right Foot
·NSPRA Conference, July 2013 – Setting Up An Advertising Program in Your District
·MASA Conference, Spring 2012 – R.E.D. – West Plains School District Magazine
·MASA Conference, Fall 2012 - 10 Lessons Learned from a Pair of PR Rookies
·NSPRA Conference, July 2012- 10 Lessons Learned from a Pair of PR Rookies
·MOSPRA Spring Conference 2012 – Gold Mine Session on 10 Lessons Learned from a Pair of PR Rookies
·MOASBO Conference, Spring 2011 – News You Can Use

• Immediate Past President of the Missouri School Public Relations Association
• Board Search Chair for the National School Public Relations Association
• West Plains Chamber of Commerce Board Member
• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
• West Plains Noon Rotary Club
• West Plains Schools Education Foundation Liaison
• MSU Young Alumni Committee Member