Chris Coplan

Chris Coplan, MBA, serves as the Director of Media Relations and Strategic Communications at Illinois State University since January 2024. With extensive experience in communications, Chris previously held roles at COUNTRY Financial®, including Content Strategy Supervisor and Sr. Public Relations Specialist, where responsibilities encompassed content creation, crisis management, and media relations. At Peoria Public Schools, Chris advanced communication efforts as Director of Communications and Community Engagement, conducting media outreach for the district's campuses and leading strategic initiatives. A background in journalism includes positions at WEEK TV and KOMU 8, where Chris honed skills in news production and reporting. Academic credentials include an MBA from Illinois State University and a Bachelor's in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.