Susy Daria entered the communication field in the mid-90s working primarily in graphic design and corporate communication. One of her first positions was at a local sign manufacturer where she produced original artwork and branded promotional materials for the company and its clients. She assisted in the redesign and management of organizational communication pieces and worked with companies such as Books-A-Million, Bancorp South and Regions Bank.
Later, she worked as a designer for the University of Alabama’s University Relations. While there, she collaborated to redesign the faculty newsletter, Dialog and jointly-won a 2001 Award of Excellence from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education along with three American Advertising Federation-Tuscaloosa Citations of Excellence for the cover design of the 2001 Law School Catalog, and the design of the University’s Distressed Students Brochure and the 2001 K–12 Summer Programs self-mailer.
Daria has offered marketing, advertising and public relations consultation for JVC, Ziegler, Birmingham’s WYSF-94.5, the Real Estate Book of Tuscaloosa, the Alabama Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Youth for Christ-Birmingham and Petro Center for Plastic Surgery. Her concept/design of a book cover for Sex in Advertising, by Reichert and Lambiase won an AAF-Tuscaloosa Silver Addy in 2003.
Currently, she enjoys teaching junior- and senior-level courses in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. She co-directs departmental advising efforts and also serves as the faculty adviser to the Capstone Student Advertising Federation. She received the 2004 Kappa Tau Alpha Commitment to Teaching Award and was named one of UA’s 2010-11 Faculty Fellows in Service Learning.
She was awarded the 2011 American Advertising Federation, 7th District, Donald G. Hileman Award, which recognizes a college educator for outstanding teaching and service to advertising students and professional groups. This award covers the five-state area of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Daria is also an honorary member of the 17th Order of the XXXI, women’s honor society.
Daria considers it an honor and a pleasure to be able to play a small part in the development of her students who, she is sure, will be future industry leaders.
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