Keelen Barlow is in his first year as Assistant Director of Social Media Strategy and Content. He is the direct social media contact for Illinois State women's basketball, soccer and softball and oversees all creative content for the three programs. 

He previously spent three years on the Athletic Communications staff at Illinois State, including in full-time capacity as Assistant Director of Athletic Communications and the women's basketball and soccer media relations contact during the 2024-25 athletic year. Barlow, who joined Illinois State Athletics in July of 2022 as a Graduate Assistant for Athletic Communications, also worked with Illinois State football, men's basketball and swimming and diving during his tenure on the communications staff.  

Barlow graduated from Butler University in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in strategic communication. He also interned with the Brownsburg High School athletic department as a Sports Information Director for three years, overseeing the publicity and promotional efforts for the school's 22 varsity sports programs. 

Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Barlow earned his master's degree at Illinois State in Kinesiology and Recreation.