As Printed in the Marlboro College Graduate Center Online Publication: The G See, February 2006.

Front and Center, Cheri Cross

Cheri Cross, ISM '99, is the personification of what can happen when a Grad Center education is combined with talent and a positive attitude. Currently, she is both a Strategist and Project Manager for Slate Roof Studio. She and Tim Toffoli established Slate Roof Studio in 2002. SRS develops marketing-communications solutions for their clients in all forms of media. The company specializes in developing electronic communications (CD-ROMs, DVDs, websites) for institutions to support their advancement efforts in admissions and fund raising. Recent clients include Amherst, Bates, Middlebury, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges; and Indiana University Foundation. Their commercial clients include international wine and liquor importer, Schieffelin & Somerset, and the international property-management company, GVA Grimley.

Cheri is quick to credit the Grad Center with helping her prepare for this success. "I entered the program knowing NOTHING about the Web. Nothing. Zip. My masters made it possible for me to grasp the concepts of what was emerging and, most important, to be able to talk to people who were on the front of the curve. This led to my being able to land a big corporate job in Boston at Viant, which was one of the leading companies that developed "digital businesses" for corporations. To paraphrase what a friend of mine said to me once, I got my masters at Marlboro and my doctorate at Viant. I now make my living in the Internet space, which I thoroughly enjoy. Marlboro made that possible."

"I now make my living in the Internet space, which I thoroughly enjoy. Marlboro made that possible."

This dynamic alum is a communications professional with more than 30 years' experience. She is recognized nationally for developing comprehensive integrated marketing programs. Cheri served as a client partner at the international Internet consultancy, Viant Corporation, where she managed engagements with Polaroid Corporation and International Data Corporation. Her experience includes serving as national director of publications for Price Waterhouse and as an art director for Corporate Annual Reports (now Addison) where her accounts included Texaco and Salomon Brothers. In addition, she was director of communications for Northfield Mount Hermon School (NMH) and for Mount Holyoke College. During her time at NMH Cheri's work garnered than 25 national awards, including four CASE Grand Gold awards, which recognize the highest achievement among all educational institutions nationally.

For her Capstone, Cheri worked with UNESCO at their headquarters in Paris to restructure and, with Tim, to redesign their Communications & Information Sector website. Regarding her Capstone, Cheri says: "One thing that stands out for me is the wonderful effect that I garnered from allowing myself to set my sights high. I'm a firm believer that if you put your intentions "out there," you will attract a match. Sure enough, after a couple of false leads, I got an email from this guy at UNESCO in Paris who knew someone who knew someone, etc. who had heard that I'd like to work with a humanitarian organization. Eventually, that led to a group of four of us from the Grad Center, including my fabulous Capstone partner, Reta Chaffee, going to Paris to meet with folks there, do some user research that involved UNESCO field staff in more than a dozen countries, and propose a redesign for a section on the UNESCO site. I learned the value of going after what you really want and of working collaboratively to create something bigger and better than anything I could have done on my own."

Three cheers for you, Cheri, for all you have accomplished. We are proud to call you a member of the Grad Center community.