Celeste Shanahan

Celeste has been a Publicity and Promotion Coordinator at the University of Illinois Extension Office Serving Livingston, McLean, and Woodford Counties since June 2022. At Extension, Celeste appreciates the opportunity to communicate the word of all of our programming here at Extension. Growing up, Celeste was a 4-H member in Piatt County and owes all of her growth and developmental skills to Extension. 

Celeste graduated from Illinois State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Middle-Level Education in English Language Arts and Social Sciences in December of 2020. Celeste also graduated from Illinois State University in 2022 with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on psychology, 1-8 education, counseling, human resources, and communications.  Celeste has experience with not only educating youth in the community, but also with several businesses in the community to promote and work with youth education, continuing adult education, academic advisement, and coaching.

 Celeste has also served as a professional development coordinator and a Better Together Leadership liaison to the state and unit Marcom staff. During that time, Celeste facilitated trainings, oversaw communication, and supported the University of Illinois Extension's statewide MarComm policies and procedures to provide educational communication to the state and the field. 

She is currently studying  M.S. in Academic Advisement and Career Readiness with an emphasis on Communication and Educational Leadership at the University of Illinois Springfield. Celeste is set to graduate in May of 2026. 

Outside of work, Celeste enjoys spending time with her husband, and their two dogs. They enjoy concert hopping, watching their favorite sports teams, the Los Angeles Rams and the St. Louis Cardinals, trying new foods, and spoiling their nieces and nephew. 

Certifications: 

Data & Analytics: Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate (Google Skillshop)

Comprehensive Digital Marketing: AMA Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) in Digital Marketing (covers high-level strategy)

Public Relations & Strategy: PRSA Integrated Marketing and Communications, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Web Accessibility Specialist: IAAP

State-held Professional Positions: 

Better Together (Marcomm Extension Communications Team) Professional Development Coordinator: Feb of 2025 to Feb of 2026 (1-year terms are appointed by the director, who refers individuals for this position)