Shekina Mullen is an innovative and passion-driven marketer hailing from North Carolina. She attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, a fellow land-grant institution, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in sports science and fitness management. Later, she earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing from Louisiana State University-Shreveport to pivot her career. 

With her diversified background in health-related fields and volunteer-driven nonprofit organizations, she is conscious of the impact on the community. Embracing the community and supporting improvements in social determinants of health are in alignment with her core values and in harmony with the mission of Illinois Extension. 

Shekina’s eclectic experiences and skill set in project management, strategic thinking, content creation, communication, and problem-solving support her ability to create captivating content for various audiences. She joined Illinois Extension as a media communications coordinator, specifically for the Master Gardeners and Master Naturalist programs, to support the significance of the programs and to amplify the voices of the volunteers and their beneficiaries.