Disponible en: Español

Office of Communications

The Office of Communications promotes the district’s students, staff and programs by disseminating news releases, photography and videos to local media outlets. In addition, it assists in providing content on the district’s web site and ensuring that the appropriate content is translated from English to Spanish. The department also produces external and internal newsletters and organizes several district-wide special events throughout the year.

General Contact

281.985.7990

Media Inquiries

Mike Keeney, Director of External Communications
Office: 281.985.6213
Cell: 713.248.0378

Media Policy

The Office of Communications team must approve requests for interviews and photographs with teachers, students and staff at all Aldine ISD facilities before scheduling.
Media are not permitted on Aldine ISD property without a Communications team member present.
An Aldine ISD Communications team member will accompany news media at all times on district property.

Public Records

Aldine ISD’s Public Information Office is responsible for ensuring that the Texas Public Information Act is followed at the District and will work with members of the public to help provide public information.

Visit the Aldine ISD Public Information Office website, or contact the office at 281.985.6319 or [email protected].

Resources

Submit a Project Request

Departments

Family and Community Engagement Department

Government Relations and Constituent Services

Stakeholders

Student Ambassadors

Partners of Excellence

Key Communicator Network

Staff

Our Staff

Sheila AdamsChief Communications Officer

Bio

With an impressive 25 years of experience, Sheila Adams brings expertise in marketing, media relations, and strategic communication to Aldine ISD. Before joining the district, she served as the Chief Communications Officer at Lufkin ISD, where she was a key advisor to the superintendent, managed a robust communications team, and played an instrumental role in promoting the district’s mission and initiatives.

Adams holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Stephen F. Austin State University and has been recognized by the Texas School Public Relations Association for her outstanding work. Her career has also included significant roles at the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau, Memorial Health System, The Coalition (a nonprofit), and St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School.

A native of East Texas, Adams is deeply committed to her community. While in Lufkin, Adams actively served on the boards of the Lufkin Education Foundation, United Way, and Harold’s House. Her involvement with professional organizations like TSPRA and the East Texas School Public Relations Association underscores her dedication to professional growth and community service.

Responsibilities

Adams directly supports the superintendent and works with district leadership to implement the district’s strategic plan’s priorities.

Adams is responsible for developing, leading, and executing a comprehensive and strategic communications plan that showcases Aldine ISD’s educational programs and initiatives. That responsibility includes oversight of media relations, internal and external communications, branding, and special events. She also works to elevate AISD’s equity initiatives.

Sylvia Saumell-Baston, MBAExecutive Director of Communications

Office: 281.985.6301

Bio

Sylvia Saumell-Baston joined Aldine ISD in August 2021 and serves as the Executive Director of Communications. She leads a team responsible for communication strategies that support and advance the district’s strategic efforts to ensure students are college and career ready.

Prior to joining AISD, Sylvia served as marketing manager for the Memorial Hermann Health System, where she helped to develop and execute system and local marketing and communication strategies for targeted service lines in the North Houston service area. She also previously worked for HCA Houston Healthcare, Community Health System and the Lone Star College System.

Sylvia has a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Houston and a master’s degree in business from the University of Houston – Downtown. She is a Leadership North Houston alumni (2016 graduate).

Responsibilities

Coming soon

VacantExecutive Assistant

281.985.7990

Bio

Coming soon

Responsibilities

Main task is assisting in all aspects of the communications department especially, district events.

Mike KeeneyDirector of External Communications

Office: 281.985.6213
Cell: 713.248.0378

Bio

During his 22 years with Aldine, Keeney has served as assistant district of public information, director of public information, director of media relations and currently serves as director of external communications.

Keeney earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Texas Tech University where he served as a sports writer/columnist for two years with the University Daily.

Prior to joining Aldine ISD in July of 1998, Keeney had 16 years of experience in the newspaper industry serving as sports editor of the Marshall News Messenger (1982-86), as sports editor of the Mesquite News (1986-1989) and as editor of the Northeast News (1991-98). During his tenure with the Northeast News, he covered Aldine ISD for seven years.

He is part of the communications team of Aldine ISD that has won numerous awards from the Texas School Public Relations Association. He won documentary writing awards from Harte Hanks Communications in 1987, 1985 and 1982. In 1984, he won a first-place award from the Associated Press Managing Editor Award in feature writing.

Keeney is a member of the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) and served a four-year term on TSPRA’s Executive Committee representing the Houston-Beaumont region and is also a member of the Houston Area School Public Relations Association (HASPRA).

He and his wife Sharon reside in Humble. He has three stepchildren, and three grandchildren.

Keeney is a native of Corsicana, TX.

Responsibilities

Mike Keeney serves as Director of External Communications for Aldine ISD. In his role with the district, Keeney handles media requests from Houston-area media (print and electronic), provides statements to the Houston-area media, coordinates media events for the district, writes and disseminates press releases to community newspapers, and write internal publications.

In addition, he provides content for Aldine ISD’s website, helps coordinate special events with his fellow Communications Departments employees and edits district publications. He also writes the script for the district’s annual Employee Awards Banquet, coordinates the district’s charitable undertakings, represents the district at community meetings and serves as the back-up photographer.

Leticia FehlingDirector of Internal Communications

281.985.6214

Bio

Leticia is the daughter of immigrants from Mexico. Although born in East Los Angeles, she spent most of her childhood in East Texas (San Augustine and Center) growing up on farms, before moving to Houston in 1983.

Her father believed in the power of education. He was a voracious reader and instilled in Leticia a love of books — she is still an avid reader. He also gave Leticia a love of art, philosophy, politics, writing, heritage, history, and debate. He also made sure she did well in school. His dream was for Leticia to attend college and rise above the low-income status. Although he did not get to see her graduate from high school, Leticia did fulfill his dreams for her.

Leticia is a public school advocate. She is a graduate of MacArthur High School in Aldine ISD and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston-Main Campus.

When Leticia is not working, she loves to read mysteries, thrillers, and sci-fi, cook, bake, watch movies, binge-watch favorite series, and play with her two dogs.

Responsibilities

Leticia ensures that all messaging carries the district’s voice. She works with schools and departments to create cultural clarity and build the district’s brand messaging. She helps grow a culture of care across all departments and schools. Leticia, who serves as a lead writer and editor, supports the district’s ongoing continuous improvement efforts. She gathers and analyzes information to write and edit various print and electronic communications. It can include newspapers, brochures, new releases, news tips, web content, social media content, marketing materials, reports, and others as required. She supports school, departmental, and program staff in developing and implementing communication strategies for programs and events through collaboration.

Leticia has won over 100 Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) Star Awards — Best of Category, Gold, Silver, and Bronze — in several categories over her 20 years with the district. Award-winning projects include feature stories about students, district programs, school programs, and photography, and Spanish translation. Her stories and pitches have generated media coverage such as the Houston Chronicle, Univisión, Telemundo, and Texas School Business.

Chris LabodDirector of Brand Communications

281.985.6215

Bio

Before he moved to the U.S. in 1999, Chris worked for several major advertising agencies in Germany with clients like R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Rothschild Winery, and several government entities. He built desktop publishing departments for two of those agencies from the ground up and spearheaded multi-media projects and Web development for those agencies.

Chris has worked for Aldine ISD’s Communication Office since 2000. He lead major projects including district branding, re-design of all district and campus websites, and publications. Over the years, he has won numerous awards from the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) — Best of Category, Gold, Silver, and Bronze — in several categories.

Responsibilities

Chris Labod develops and maintains district’s visual and brand strategy across products, platforms, and marketing channels. He integrates his expertise of more than 30 years in design, web, interactive, video, photography, and digital media production.

Bryant StevensMultimedia Specialist

281.985.7561

Bio

Bryant Stevens joined Aldine ISD as the Multimedia Specialist in October 2023. He is responsible for sharing the Aldine story by producing engaging and innovative multimedia content for the district website, social media, and internal and external communications.

Prior to joining AISD, he worked as a freelance videographer and editor, notably filming a YouTube series documentary for Chess.com, and producing a video shown at the 2022 Rotary International Convention. In addition, Bryant has served as a football video assistant at the University of Miami (FL), where he captured practice and gameday highlight video content. He has been involved with various production teams, including ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and as a camera operator for the Tennessee Titans.

Bryant earned his bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).

When he is not working, Bryant serves on the AV team at his local church, and enjoys playing golf and producing music.

Responsibilities

Stevens is responsible for producing a variety of visual media projects that promote the district and its programs.

John HickmanSocial Media Specialist

281.985.7967

Bio

John Hickman joined the communications department in July 2022. In his role, he is responsible for the district social media, story-telling and tasked with production for Aldine’s podcast. Hickman holds a bachelor degree in communications from Lamar University. Hickman has over five years of experience as a credential sports journalist, along with covering the Houston Texans.

Responsibilities

Coming soon

Dylan EsquinaCommunications Specialist

281.985.6287

Bio

Dylan Esquina joined the Aldine ISD Communications team in April 2022. Originally from Chicago, he is a proud graduate of the University of Houston and holds a bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications with a concentration in Public Relations.

During his time at UH, Dylan was an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). He is especially proud to have been selected as the first prize winner for two separate communications projects at the UH Senior Valenti Showcase in 2021. In addition, he also interned for a nonprofit, Engaging Communities of Hispanics/Latinos for Aging Research (ECHAR), where he facilitated a student scriptwriting competition on the UH campus with the goal of producing a telenovela about Alzheimer’s from the winning scripts. Upon graduation, he was offered a position as the organization’s Communications Specialist.

Dylan’s desire to elevate his talents and reach more people, is what led him to transition into K-12 school public relations.

Responsibilities

Coming soon

Sandra Perez ChavianoTranslator

Bio

Sandra P. Chaviano has been the district translator and interpreter for Aldine ISD since October 2022. Originally from Cuba, Sandra holds a bachelor of journalism from the University of Havana.

Prior to joining Aldine ISD, Sandra worked as the press manager for the Havana Film Festival of New York and as a Spanish copywriter for Clarins USA while living in New York City. Her international experience also includes two years in Spain, where she worked for La Opinión de Zamora newspaper.
In 2011, Sandra received the II Prize “Memory of the Castilian and Leonese Emigration” for her work, recognized by the Center for the Study of the Castilian and Leonese Emigration of the UNED and the Junta de Castilla y León. Her research on the history of Castilian and Leonese emigration during the Spanish Civil War was published by UNED.

At Aldine ISD, Sandra brings her diverse background and commitment to linguistic and cultural diversity to strengthen connections within the community through effective communication.

Responsibilities

Coming soon

Who Can Help Me in the Office of Communications?

What do you need?	Contact
Need help with Blackboard Connect?	Leticia Fehling
Do you have a high-level concern or a big idea?	Sylvia Saumell-Baston, MBA
Has a crisis occurred on your campus? (Campus emergency, fight, safety rumors, secure status, student death)	Mike Keeney
Are you using district branding and logos correctly?	Chris Labod
Need details about district events and activities?	Emily Erreguin
Do you need assistance with photos or videos?	Bryant Steven or John Hickman
Does your Campus Key Communicator have a great news story?	Leticia Fehling, Mike Keeney, John Hickman, or Dylan Esquina
Has the media reached out to you or shown up on campus uninvited?	Mike Keeney
Want to share some great news? (School Board News, Athletics)	Mike Keeney
Want to share some great news? (Campus News, Department News, Employee News)	Leticia Fehling
Do you have questions about Facebook, Twitter or Instagram?	John Hickman
Need help ensuring your campus or district website is updated?	Chris Labod
Need help with marketing materials for campus/department/event? (Fliers, brochures, district signage, etc.)	Chris Labod
Need assistance with translation or interpretation?	Carolina Pinales or Sandra Perez Chaviano
Do you have a story idea or lead that might be of interest to local media or industry publications?	Mike Keeney
Do you want to be a volunteer?	Family and Community Engagement Department
Are you looking for parent workshops that can help you help your child at home?	Family and Community Engagement Department
Are you looking for community resources?	Family and Community Engagement Department