Q&A with Leah Mundy

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga GO MOCS! – BS in Psychology and Minor in Art History.

My degree has influenced my career in countless ways—not just through earning it, but through the classes and experiences along the way. Taking speech courses helped me build the confidence to deliver strong presentations, several psychology classes prepared me to work effectively with different personalities, and art courses taught me how to bring creativity into the workplace. Those are just a few examples, but they stand out as the most impactful.

My favorite part of the job is building connections with new people in the Higher Ed community and supporting them in their success. I love the conversations where we can slow down, reflect on the incredible work they’re already doing, celebrate their impact, and explore ways to make an even bigger difference together. For me, it’s about building genuine partnerships that make a real difference, both for the institutions and the students they serve.

The two things I hear about the most are staffing challenges and the enrollment cliff. A lot of schools are short-staffed, which makes it tough to keep up with everything they need to do. And then there’s the pressure of declining enrollment—it’s definitely top of mind for almost everyone I talk to. Those two issues often go hand-in-hand, so the conversations usually focus on finding ways to work smarter and making the most out of the resources we can provide with our partnership.

Clients are going to love working with me because I strive to make partnerships feel easy and impactful. I take time to understand each client’s unique challenges and goals, so every solution feels tailored for them. Clients appreciate my approachable style, quick responsiveness, and ability to turn complex ideas into clear, actionable steps. At the end of the day, I aim to be a trusted partner who makes the process not only successful but enjoyable.

Moon Pie’s Alien Ad Campaign (“Marketing to Extraterrestrials”)

MoonPie launched a global campaign aimed at aliens after U.S. congressional hearings on UFOs. They created billboards, airplane banners, and even a drone show over the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico—all written in a language called Lincos, designed for extraterrestrial communication. The campaign included a dedicated website inviting aliens to become “Alien-fluencers.” This quirky, tongue-in-cheek approach generated massive buzz and positioned Moon Pie as the first brand to advertise to non-humans. I loved the creativity and out of the box (world) approach.

Favorite Podcast

The Mel Robbins Podcast

I like The Mel Robbins Podcast because it always feels real and grounded. She has a way of breaking down everyday challenges, motivation, confidence, feeling stuck—in a way that helps me reset. Her advice is practical and backed by real stories and research, so I walk away with something I can use. The mix of honesty, energy, and clarity makes it feel like a quick mindset shift every time I listen.