Niall O’Donnell
Niall is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Christendom College. He graduated from Christendom College in 2003, majoring in English language and literature with a minor in history. He then spent three years in Rome, Italy, studying communications at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. He graduated in 2006 earning his licentiate graduate degree in institutional social communications, specializing in documentary production. While in the Eternal City, he was able to take advantage of all the opportunities the city and the university offered, developing skills in radio production, web design, desktop publishing, media relations, crisis communications, video production, and more. He came to work at Christendom in 2006 and has enjoyed developing these skills further while overseeing the design and development of the college’s websites, video productions, and major publications, including its magazine, Instaurare. Niall coordinated the launch of Radio Christendom (local FM stations) and serves as the station’s programming manager. Holding an FAA Remote Pilot License, he flies the college’s drone capturing photos and videos. With over 15 years of experience, Niall is a StoryBrand Certified Guide and loves working to advance the noble mission of Christendom College. He and his wife, Sherry, live with their 6 children in Front Royal, Virginia.
Zach Smith
Zach is the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications at Christendom College. After graduating from Christendom in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in history, Zach worked for the Walt Disney Company in Attraction Operations while taking marketing classes through Disney University. Following his time at Disney, Zach returned to Christendom to take on the newly created role of Public Relations Specialist, helping promote the college across social media, external media publications, and more. Zach has a wide range of experience in helping with the marketing of non-profit organizations, including serving as Director of Marketing for the Chris Long Foundation, where he worked with NFL and NBA players to bring clean water to East Africa. Since 2020, Zach has served as the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications at Christendom, furthering the mission of the college through writing press releases, managing social media, digital advertising, crisis communications, and enhancing the overall brand image of the college.
Julie Wells
Julie, originally from Louisville, KY, is the Creative Services and Communications Specialist at Christendom College. As a child, Julie began networking with her favorite children’s book authors, emailing those she most admired. To her delight, many of them responded with helpful tips and advice, helping her lay the groundwork for her future career in illustration. During her time at Christendom, Julie helped manage a set crew of designers for the college productions. Graduating from Christendom College in 2015 with a degree in English Literature, she launched her own illustration brand and has since illustrated eight children’s books, including Magnificent Meg, Henry’s Harvest, and A Little Reminder. After graduation, she worked as a travel nanny and tutor for a large family and had the opportunity to travel to many different countries. These adventures inspire her illustrations. Julie currently manages a team of student photographers on campus and is our main contact for requests regarding graphic design, web design, and photography.