Sonja Bennett-Bellamy

Sonja Bennett-Bellamy is currently the VP of Institutional Advancement and External Affairs at South Carolina State University. Prior to their current role, they served as the Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Shaw University from January 2016 to May 2017. From August 2013 to January 2016, they were the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and University Relations at South Carolina State University. From January 2011 to August 2013, they were the Assistant VP of Communications and Marketing at Claflin University. In this role, they were in charge of formulating and executing a comprehensive communications strategy in compliance with the University’s long range strategic plan to increase global visibility of the institution. Sonja also supervised university communications staff in implementation of short term and long range marketing and communications goals, served as the crisis communications manager, and collaborated with graphic designers to conceptualize art for marketing collateral. In addition, they managed all communications components of the University, including publications, website, campus communications and promotions.

Sonja Bennett-Bellamy has a Master of Strategic Public Relations from American University and a Masters in Business Administration from Strayer University-Maryland. Sonja also has a BA in Journalism from Indiana University Bloomington.

Their manager is James E. Clark, President. They are on a team with Delbert T. Foster - Associate Administrator of 1890 Research and Extension, Shondra F. Abraham - Chief of Staff, and Learie B. Luke - VP, Academic Affairs.