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 25 years. Before joining West Plains Schools, Snodgras spent nine 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, writer, and past president of the Missouri School Public Relations Association.

Lana lives in West Plains with her daughter.

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

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• • Awards

  • 2024 - Missouri School Public Relations Association Spirit Award - 
    2023 - National School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence - Marketing Materials
    2022 - National School Public Relations Association Award of Excellence - 2022 - Hermes Gold Award - #ChooseToBeAZizzer Marketing Campaign
    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  

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    Presentations
    · Missouri School Public Relations Association, March 2024 - Decades of Wisdom: 37 Years & 37 Essential Communication Strategies
    - Missouri School Public Relations Association, March 2023 - 19 School Communication Tips from 19 + Years in the Trenches- 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

   

  Books & Articles

  • Social Media For Schools, Andrea Gribble - Chapter 2 - Social Media Policy by Lana Snodgras
    National Communications Report Article, Show the Value of Your School’s PR Program. 

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