Team

The first and last name in higher ed research, marketing, and branding.

We’ve had nearly every job in the industry. We're market researchers, data lovers, writers, math majors, psychologists, and avid karaoke and trivia night enthusiasts. We hail from every part of the country. Most of all, we’re proud, professional students—curious by nature, compassionate by choice, and constantly working to build higher ed brands that inspire and endure.

Let's talk about your brand

Partners

Elizabeth Scarborough Johnson

Jason Simon

Elizabeth Scarborough Johnson

Chairman & Partner

Elizabeth Johnson founded SimpsonScarborough in 2006 with the vision of creating a higher ed marketing agency that puts research at the center of marketing strategies. Over the last 30 years, Elizabeth has helped more than 300 institutions research, develop, and implement plans to increase visibility, strengthen enrollment, raise money, and advance higher ed brands — from flagship universities and Ivy League institutions to small liberal arts colleges and regional state schools.

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Elizabeth Scarborough Johnson

Chairman & Partner

She is a staunch advocate for the role of CMO within higher ed and the need to integrate marketing across the enterprise for colleges and universities to thrive despite the many challenges facing the industry. Elizabeth is a trusted resource within the higher education marketing community, having presented more than 200 workshops and papers at a veritable alphabet soup of higher education-related conferences and symposia, and chairing the American Marketing Association's Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education from 2007-2011.

Her work is fueled by an enduring belief that higher ed changes the world, and that US colleges and universities play an essential role in solving the world's most pressing problems — like curing cancer, alleviating poverty, and ending systemic racism.

James Madison University (B.S. in Mathematics)
Fordham University (M.B.A with a concentration in Marketing)

Jason Simon

CEO & Partner

Jason loves figuring out complex organizations, telling their stories, and driving change and examination. With more than 15 years of experience leading marketing efforts in higher education, his expertise in brand strategy and positioning was recognized by the American Marketing Association (AMA) when he was named Higher Education Marketer of the Year in 2013.

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Jason Simon

CEO & Partner

In addition to corporate and agency branding experience, Jason previously served in marketing communications leadership roles for the University of California System and North Carolina State University. In both roles, he launched ground-up efforts to build a case for marketing, assemble and guide successful internal teams, and establish brand and positioning strategies.

North Carolina State University (B.A. in Communication)

Our team

Kristen leads institutions through complex integrated projects, shaping research studies, revealing the hearts of brands and developing strategies that allow them to reach the right audiences.

As a high school senior, Kristen applied to Randolph-Macon College because she was impressed by the theme of its viewbook. Fifteen years later, she found herself working with the person who had been the admissions director in charge of developing that very viewbook. That’s when she knew she was doing what she was meant to do.

Northwestern University (M.S. Journalism)
James Madison University (B.A. Communications)

Kristen Creighton

VP, Accounts

Nik uses data-driven design to help clients effectively share their stories with the world.

Nik's stand out college memory is winning the Homecoming Logo Competition and seeing it displayed across the town and university. The foreshadowing isn't lost on him.

Ohio University (B.B.A. Marketing)

Nik Williams

Senior Designer

Andrea leads research, strategy, and creative projects that help clients make decisions based on data-driven insight.

Andrea’s practice of waking up every morning to run has taught her the importance of a strong mind, hard work, and dedication.

American University (M.A. Public Communications)
University of Alabama, Huntsville (B.A. Communications and Spanish)

Andrea Kruszka

Account Director

Meredith leverages custom research that leads to meaningful and actionable data to solve problems, answer difficult questions, and drive strategic decision-making.

When Meredith was high school yearbook editor, she thought it would be cool to create profiles of different school classes - thus her first survey was born. The rest is history.

University of Richmond (B.S. in Business Administration)

Meredith Simpson

VP, Research

Mary Beth supports our operations team, using her organizational skills and design background to keep digital projects on time and within budget through detailed project management.

Mary Beth thought she wanted to be a vet until she discovered her love of graphic design in high school. Now she has the best of both worlds, with a career in marketing and a pack of four rescue pets at home.

University of Georgia, B.A. in Journalism

Mary Beth Oakey

Digital Project Manager

As a writer, Jason naturally believes in choosing words carefully. He labors to understand the human factors that guide how people think and feel – the better to help clients speak straight to the heart.

One of the best things about college? Not having to apologize for turning up the volume (or the distortion) on the guitar amp after 9 p.m.

Northwestern University (M.S in Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications) The Ohio State University (B.A. in English)

Jason Shough

Director, Copy & Content

Chelsea keeps our processes on point and timelines on track. She manages internal teams, plans resources and traffic company-wide, and thinks through any technology and innovation needs.

By making friends and learning to hang drywall while on a Habitat for Humanity spring break trip, Chelsea learned the importance of service and craftsmanship.

Georgetown University (B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing)

Chelsea Woodard

AVP, Operations

Deb analyzes and reports on survey data, helping to turn data points into insights.

In college, Deb loved her work-study as a tutor at the Writing & Reading Center. There she found she especially loved tutoring for rhetorical theory and working with international students.

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (B.A. in Literature and Writing)

Deb Gere

Assistant Director of Research

Alex informs complex client needs by harnessing innovative and novel forms of data analysis.

Alex was shaped by living in Madagascar for two years before starting college, which started his passion for development and behavioral economics.

American University (B.S. in Economics)

R. Alexander Ahlstrom

Research Analyst

Sara analyzes and reports on survey data and works with the project team to develop key findings for clients.

Sara’s fondest memories from college are from having participated in cultural shows and festivities with GMU's Persian Club.

George Mason University (B.S. in Marketing)

Sara Abtahi

Research Analyst

Ben brings extensive experience in front-end development as well as Web and CMS strategy. He works with university stakeholders to understand their website goals and develops custom solutions.

After graduating from college, Ben traveled across the country with his alma mater. He captured hundreds of alumni stories on video and managed a blog to document the experience.

Wittenberg University (B.A. in Business Marketing)

Ben McCombs

Senior Engineer / Developer

Mike drives creative solutions that enable colleges and universities of every size to communicate their unique brands in novel and powerful ways.

Mike’s superpower is the ability to dance so well super villains freeze in their tracks in utter astonishment. He also knows every word to every song by The Smiths.

University of Notre Dame (B.A. in Marketing)

Mike Roe

VP, Executive Creative Director

Dan executes creative and tactics for campaigns and clients, producing strategy-driven brand content.

With time spent on stage as a comedic improviser, Dan's got a keen sense of what's a riot or a flop.

Ohio University (B.S. in Journalism - Advertising and Public Relations)

Dan Moore

Content Specialist

Perrie drives operational excellence within the creative and digital teams.

A favorite college memory of Perrie's is her time spent exploring the small town of Delaware by bike. She had never seen anything like it; cornfields, pastures, and a bunch of nothing-ness. Simply gorgeous.

Ohio Wesleyan University (BA Sociology & Anthropology; Environmental Science)

Perrie Howes

Director, Project Management Office

Maddie helps our teams through detail-oriented project management, and also assists the research and creative processes.

Maddie's favorite college memory is when ESPN's College Game Day came to JMU and our football team won! She loved seeing the school come together and celebrate, Go Dukes!

James Madison University (B.S. in Communications)

Maddie Smith

Project Coordinator

Cole oversees visual design for print, digital, and environmental mediums, and she specializes in branding and identity, splitting her time between art direction and design.

Cole’s favorite memory from college was her freshman year when she stayed up all night in the dorm lobby discussing philosophy and fell in love every week.

Columbus College of Art and Design (B.F.A. in Advertising & Graphic Design)

Cole Londeree

AVP, Creative Director

Sara analyzes insights developed from brand research to understand the impact on the consumer journey. She then translates that into effective marketing and media plans and campaigns.

College introduced Sara to the world of travel and building cultural connections. She was able to travel abroad to expand, learn more, and meet new people.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges
SUNY Oswego

Sara Wallace

Director, Marketing & Media Strategy

Meredith helps drive new business and the growth of SimpsonScarborough by crafting proposals anticipating potential clients' needs and specifications.

Meredith's favorite college memories include zip-lining across Lake Matoaka, serving as an Orientation Aide, and learning to play rugby.

William & Mary (B.A. in Psychology & Community Studies)

Meredith Randle

Business Development Manager

Bob works with colleges and universities to advance their digital communications goals.

While Strauss and Howe might disagree, Bob considers himself a millennial. He was also the first digital intern in the marketing and communications office at his alma mater. Back then digital was called “new media”.

Wittenberg University (B.A. in Political Science)

Bob Rafferty

VP, Digital

Julia works on the Account and Strategy team as a point of contact for clients, and she supports research and project management.

Julia's favorite college memories were the weekend road trips to new cities, learning new things every day, and of course, cheering on the dawgs at Hinkle Fieldhouse!

Butler University (B.A. in Marketing)

Julia Telari

Project Coordinator

Matt works at the intersection of research and creative. He helps to distill qualitative and quantitative data into actionable brand strategies and makes them ready to be brought to life.

In college, working as a tour guide, orientation counselor, and athletic host, Matt found that it wasn't one singular experience that shaped him, but instead he was shaped by great people.

Auburn University (B.S. in Marketing)

Matt McFadden

VP, Strategy

Eve works with designers and developers crafting creative concepts and brand messaging that help clients connect with audiences and share the stories that make them unique.

Traveling while growing up and her parents' adventurous spirit allowed Eve to inherit an openness to experience. Although a homebody, Eve loves to travel, trying new things & eating new foods!

Edith Cowan University (B.A. in Psychology & Writing, Masters in Psychology)

Eve Scherpenberg

Copywriter

Katie executes informed design across external and internal projects.

Katie spent three semesters focusing on design for social good, participatory design, and healthy creative practices to help shape her view on all forms of creating, for both others and herself.

Columbus College of Art & Design (B.F.A. in Advertising and Graphic Design)

Katie Schwendeman Sakowski

Senior Designer

Emma creates strategic, qualitative, and quantitative survey instruments that bridge the gap between data and strategy while she manages project timelines and client deliverables.

Emma’s favorite part of the college experience was having the opportunity to be a Division I student-athlete and captain of her swim team.

University at Buffalo (B.A. in Communication)

Emma Miller

Strategist

Ryan ensures that the needs of our clients are met while working closely with our internal team to provide the resources they need to deliver great work.

Ryan's never run into a burning building to save someone but likes to think he would if put in the position.

The Ohio State University (B.S. in Communication)

Ryan Rekstis

Account Director

Malachi helps tell the story of SimpsonScarborough and shares our steadfast belief that higher ed changes the world.

Tutoring kids on the south side of Chicago in undergrad exposed Malachi to the incredible power education has to disrupt poverty and injustice in our world.

Georgetown University (M.B.A. In Progress)
Moody Bible Institute (B.A. in Education)

Malachi Koop

Director of Marketing

Lex ensures that the business goals and user needs are aligned, and helps to prioritize the team's attention and resources on solving the right problems for the target audiences.

The practice of watching people interact with paintings and seeing what they like and dislike about them has informed Lex's ability to observe users interactions with websites and apps.

Savannah College of Art and Design (B.F.A. in Painting)

Lex Hade

Director, User Experience

Marguerite uncovers the "why" behind messaging, helping organizations communicate powerfully and memorably.

Study abroad in Paris and Sydney allowed Marguerite to experience communications on a global scale, engage with diverse perspectives, and broaden her scope.

Syracuse University (B.A. in TV-Radio-Film & Sociology)
Loyola University Chicago (M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration)
Emerson College (M.A. in Integrated Marketing and Communications)

Marguerite Moore

Strategist

Hira focuses on survey design, data analysis, and data visualization - delivering strategic recommendations from research findings and in-depth industry knowledge.

Hira is something of an adventurer, her most memorable college experience being the time she bungee jumped on her 21st birthday during her semester abroad in New Zealand.

University of Richmond (B.A. in Leadership Studies and a B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing)

Hira Siddiqui

Research Analyst

Luke oversees the direction, design, and production of all digital projects within the agency.

While in college, the exploration of creative ideas in every medium allowed Luke to develop as an artist and hone his craft as a digital designer.

Columbus College of Art & Design (B.F.A. in Advertising and Graphic Design)

Luke Deady

Associate Creative Director, Digital

Steven builds brands and strategies — turning conversations into research questions, crafting strategies that are both art and science, and linking insights to creative.

As a first-generation college student, Steven’s life was impacted forever by the once-unimaginable experiences that higher ed has afforded him.

William & Mary (M.Ed. in Educational Leadership)
William & Mary (B.A. in Government)

Steven Lovern

Account Director

Jack guides clients through our process - from research through creative - and helps craft strategy allowing institutional brands to form, thrive, and endure.

Jack's college years were transformative from leadership opportunities, academic challenges, and the small spaces to discover who you are. Jack's four times seeing Beyoncé were also transformative.

William & Mary (B.B.A. in Marketing & Sociology)

Jack Edgar

Strategist

Alec supports quantitative and qualitative research, brand strategy deliverables, and ensures that projects are managed to stay on task.

Alec’s memorable college experience was time studying abroad working on a consulting project with Carlsberg Brewery, making him both an academic and a professional with finely brewed grains.

University of South Carolina (B.S. in Business Administration)

Alec Smith

Research Project Manager