Meet the Marketing and Communications Team: BJ Riley

BJ Riley ’16

Director of Marketing
Office of Marketing and Communications

1. Explain your role at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College? (What’s your daily routine, what’s your role in big events on campus, what is your role with students, etc.)

I tell everyone that I have the second-best job at SMWC besides President King because I get to help tell the great stories of The Woods. My job is to find ways to story-tell why students choose SMWC, the great things they do while at SMWC and the great things they do after leaving SMWC. We also highlight faculty and staff and help our community understand more about their accomplishments and commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience.

2. What do you enjoy most about SMWC?

I love coming to work each day and being a part of this great institution. I have enjoyed reading about the history of SMWC and the impact it has had on people over the last 180-plus years. We are presently writing the history of the College that people in the future will read, and it is exciting to be a part of that.

3. Tell us more about yourself? (Hobbies, family, community involvement, etc.)

I am originally from southern West Virginia but have lived in Indiana for about 23 years. I have lived in Terre Haute for 13 years and really love being here. I am on the board of the United Way of the Wabash Valley and support the work that they are doing in the community. My wife Mary works for the Sisters of Providence and I have four sons, Jeffery and Michael in Florida, Jacob in Indianapolis and Elijah, who is a senior at ISU. I have an adorable granddaughter, Delaney Eliza, who is also in Florida. I am an avid WVU fan and a Dallas Cowboys fan (don’t judge). I am a Woods Online graduate in 2016 and am working to complete my MLD next year.

4. Why should people become engaged with The Woods?

The rich history of The Woods gives you a glimpse into the past. You can envision the students living in Guerin Hall in 1913, the excitement in Le Fer when students walked into the building for the first time in 1923, as well as the many performances over the past century in the Conservatory of Music. But you also get a glimpse into the future. You get to see students find their voices and prepare themselves for their futures with leadership opportunities and the discovery of their true beings, it is very fulfilling.