Have you ever wondered who was in charge of the billboards you see on your drive to campus, or the social media of College of the Sequoias? That person is Lauren Fishback, who has been working at COS since 2016 and changing what it means to be a marketing director.
Fishback went to college at California State University Long Beach where she got her BA in fashion merchandising. She had planned to work in the fashion industry, earning experience at Nordstrom, district manager for Equinox, and managing retail stores from Irvine to Santa Monica. She then decided to move to Visalia. She stated, “People always say ‘you gave up San Diego to live here?’. It’s a mindset you get to choose, there are a lot of blessings in living in a small town. You have to shift your mindset.”
Having heard that COS was hiring, Fishback was eventually hired on to the team here. However, being the marketing director is just surface level, as Fishback strives to connect people to the college and help represent the community. She said:
“I think, first of all, a community college is part of the community. We have open enrollment, which means anyone can come take classes no matter your background or past educational experience. So I think providing that; community and partnership, is super important because it also brings awareness to what we do here.”
She continued:
“The second part is showcasing to our current student population there is somewhere on all three campuses you belong, whether it is the library, a club, or getting coffee. There is some place you belong.”
In the time she has been here, Fishback has continually evolved and changed the way that marketing is approached here at COS. She commented on the industry as a whole, saying:
“I love that the industry is always changing the media marketing industry is always changing. I love the challenge, the flow that it forces you to be in as an employee I am forced not to be married to one thing. I am forced to ever change with the demand or the need of the student population. It allows you to push yourself to the edge of your learning ability.”
If you wish to tell your story, feature a program, or if you as a student feel something isn’t being showcased, feel free to email Lauren Fishback at:
And be sure to follow COS on Instagram: @COSGiant
