Stephanie Wilbur Ash is the communications director for the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC). She leads the development and implementation of the organization’s communications strategy. She is responsible for shaping key content and messaging, managing content across multiple platforms, and ensuring communications advance MHEC’s mission, strategic priorities, and relationships with member states, policymakers, higher education leaders, partners, and the public.

Stephanie previously served for 10 years in various roles at Gustavus Adolphus College, including as senior director of editorial content, where she developed content and strategy across communication channels, led redesign of the college’s magazine, and advised on a variety of communications.

Prior to her work at Gustavus, Stephanie was senior editor of special sections and sponsored content at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and its affiliated custom agency, where she led content projects on higher education, kids and families, and health and wellness (among other subjects). Very early in her career, she worked in communications for the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

Stephanie earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication and communication studies at the University of Iowa and an MFA in writing from Hamline University.