Get to know...
Rachel Pleasant
Rachel Pleasant has written professionally for more than 20 years. She got her start in newspapers, writing for The New York Times Regional Newspaper Group, The Tampa Tribune and the Charleston Regional Business Journal. Since 2011, she’s worked in communications for educational institutions including Polk State College, the University of South Florida, and Polk County Public Schools, Florida's seventh-largest school district.
She is the recipient of the Punch Sulzberger Award, The New York Times’ highest honor for journalism and community service, and a New Yorker cartoon caption contest finalist. She also holds certification from the American Copy Editors Society and has freelanced as a search engine optimization copy writer.
When she’s not writing, she volunteers for the Florida Parks Service and Guardian ad Litem. She is the mother of two children and two cats.
Her favorite book comes straight from her AP English reading list: A Separate Peace by John Knowles.
Skill Set
Writing
Editing
Media Relations
Internal and External Communications
Executive Communications
Speech Writing
Campaign Creation and Execution
Change Management
Fundraising
Website Conceptualization, Design, and Maintenance
Experience
In her two decades of experience, Rachel Pleasant has worked for major publications and educational institutions throughout the Southeast. In 2020, seeking a distraction from the COVID pandemic, she and her business partner founded We Write Inc. Their clients include a university president, pharmaceutical engineer, and community leaders.
We Write Inc.
Co-owner — 2020-Present
Polk County Public Schools
Senior Director of Communications — 2017-Present
The Hoth (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
Freelance search engine optimization content writer — 2016
University of South Florida
Communications and Marketing Manager, Presidential Speechwriter — 2016-17
Polk State College
Adjunct instructor — 2015-16
Polk State College
Director of Communications — 2011-16
The Tampa Tribune
Reporter — 2010-11
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Freelance Contributor — 2010-12
Charleston Regional Business Journal (S.C.)
Reporter — 2005-06
The New York Times Regional Newspaper Group
Reporter and Editor — 2003-10
Education
PhD student, Career and Workforce Education, University of South Florida
2017
The Poynter Institute/American Copy Editors Society — Copy Editing Certification
2017
M.A. Mass Communications, University of South Florida
2016
B.A. Mass Communications, University of South Florida
2003
Awards
SUNSPRA Medallion Award — Overall Brand Image Campaign
2018
Kappa Tau Alpha Top Scholar Award
2016
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society inductee
2015
Association of Florida Colleges’ Communications and Marketing Commission
First Place Brochure, First Place Print Advertising, Second Place Brochure, Second Place Annual Report
2014
Punch Sulzberger Award
2010
Rachel's Work
Writing Samples
Rachel is a skilled and versatile writer, capable of crafting everything from long- and short-form feature stories to executive communications. Here are a few examples of her work:
Logan’s Legacy: What One Baby Taught His Mother and So Many Others
2010 — The Ledger
13-Year-Old is Polk State’s Youngest Student Ever
2012 — Polk State College
Polk State Dean Also Pastor of 400-Member Tampa Church
2012 — Polk State College
Professor is Music Department’s “Missing Piece”
2012 — Polk State College
Polk Nursing Alum Delivers “I Actually Do Care” to Patients at LRMC’s Emergency Department
2014 — Polk State College
Composer to Debut Piece that Breaks New Ground Professionally and Personally at USF
2016 — University of South Florida
Helping the Unseen: USF Faculty, Students and Alumni Apply Their Expertise and Time to Stand Up for the Vulnerable
2016 — University of South Florida
Personal ‘Little House’ adventures for Lakeland mom and daughter
2017 — The Ledger
Scripted video addressing the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School Shootings
2018 — Polk County Public Schools
Executive communication addressing the killing of George Floyd
2020 — Polk County Public Schools
Scripted video regarding impact of COVID-19 on public education
2021 — Polk County Public Schools
Executive communication regarding standardized testing
2021 — Polk County Public Schools
Branding
In 2018, Rachel oversaw the rebranding of Polk County Public Schools. The rebrand received recognition from the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. Learn more about the project.
Publications
Rachel conceptualized, oversaw and wrote the majority of articles for Polk State College's 50th anniversary Report to Community.
Communications Management
Rachel created Polk County Public Schools’ communications plan.
On-Air
Rachel created and served as the first host of Polk County Public Schools' podcast People of PCPS. Here are a few of her favorite episodes: