Lexington County School District One Interim Superintendent Dr. Gerrita Postlewait announces that Kathryn M. McPhail, the district’s chief communications officer, plans to resign as her husband accepted a new career opportunity which requires her family to move out of state in the fall.
“Though this is an exciting opportunity for the McPhail family, it’s bittersweet news for the Lexington District One family. We will miss what Kathryn brings to the district both professionally and personally. We’ve all come to trust and appreciate the informative, creative and effective communications Kathryn delivers on behalf of the district,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Postlewait.
McPhail joined Lexington District One in January 2020 as communications director. She was promoted to chief communications officer in July 2021. During this time, the communications division earned state and national recognition for its COVID-19 crisis communications efforts; produced numerous stories and videos highlighting the outstanding achievements of our students and staff; launched a new district webpage; increased social media engagement; and, most importantly, ensured families received vital information about student learning and growth in Lexington District One.
Before coming to the district, McPhail spent 13 years leading and supporting public relations for colleges and universities across the Southeast. She served as communications director for the University of South Carolina’s College of Education from 2016–20 and USC’s College of Engineering and Computing from 2012–16.
While at UofSC, McPhail worked to increase visibility and awareness of the colleges’ academic programs, students, faculty, research and alumni. She developed and implemented strategic communications plans to ensure the colleges met goals for enrollment, diversity and inclusion, research, alumni engagement and development. She also oversaw media relations, website development, marketing, social media, publications and advertising.
A native of Georgia, McPhail led public relations at Albany Technical College in Albany, Georgia, as well as The University of Southern Mississippi’s DuBard School for Language Disorders in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, before moving to South Carolina in 2012.
McPhail also spent seven years as a television reporter and news anchor, with most of that time spent at WALB-TV in South Georgia. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism.
