Killeen ISD Graduate to Lead District’s Communications and Marketing Efforts

A Killeen native who graduated from Ellison High School and dreamed of leading communications efforts for Killeen ISD is coming home.

The KISD leadership is excited to announce Karen Rudolph will soon join the district as executive director for communications and marketing.

She is currently executive director for marketing, recruitment and outreach at Central Texas College and recently was communications specialist at Belton ISD.

In her new position, Rudolph will lead KISD’s communications department in creating content and distributing information to internal and external audiences through print, video, social media and other formats. She will also serve as the district’s primary spokesperson.

“We are thrilled to welcome Karen Rudolph back to her roots in Killeen ISD. With her wealth of experience in education and communications as well as her deep community ties, we are confident she will further elevate our communications and marketing efforts while fostering strong connections with our stakeholders and enhancing our district’s visibility,” Superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Fey shared.

She follows Taina Northington, who was Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for KISD from summer 2019 until Feb. 1. Northington is now vice president of communications for Protect Ed.

Rudolph attended Bellaire and Sugar Loaf elementary schools, Manor Middle School and Ellison High School. Both of her parents retired from KISD.

“Back in the late 90s, as the assistant editor for the student newspaper at Ellison High School, I dreamed of one day having Bob Massey’s job,” said Rudolph, referencing KISD’s coordinator for communications at that time.

Since then, Rudolph has acquired two university degrees and 20 years of job experience in communications, marketing, and public relations.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Ouachita Baptist University, and a master’s degree in public relations from the University of Georgia. She also holds an Accreditation in Public Relations.

Rudolph has worked in several marketing and communications positions, including jobs at McLennan Community College and Baylor University before taking the job at Belton ISD.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Susan Buckley shared, “We are excited to have Karen join our team as the new Executive Director of Communications and Marketing. With her proven track record and passion for our community, she's poised to take our communications efforts to even greater heights."

“It’s a dream,” she said, “to get to work for the school district where I grew up. I have such fond memories of the teachers, friends and activities that shaped my youth. There’s something special about being home.”

She begins in KISD Feb. 20, 2024.