Kate Derrick, M.Ed., is Complete College America’s communications director. She joined CCA in August 2023, and she leads communications strategy and implementation for the organization. Prior to CCA, she most recently served as assistant vice chancellor for executive communications and institutional projects at Vanderbilt University, where she worked for five years leading communication and strategy for Vanderbilt’s chancellor, provost, and other top university leaders. She also led communications and engagement for major campaigns and initiatives at the university, including a major fundraising campaign, the university’s sesquicentennial celebration, and Vanderbilt’s hosting of the 2023 Clinton Global Initiative University.

Until 2018, she was digital media director in the Office of the Tennessee Governor for then-Governor Bill Haslam. In that role, she led digital and social media strategy for the governor. During her time in the Office of the Governor and while previously serving as external relations director for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Kate led communications related to Governor Haslam’s Drive to 55 educational attainment initiative, including marketing for Tennessee Reconnect, the state’s program to provide tuition-free community college to adults.

Before her time in higher education, Kate was a communications strategist and project manager for tech startups and social entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Wellesley College and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College.