Samford University marcomm reorganization strengthens brand
By Sharon Aschaiek | Jan. 30, 2019
A strong organizational brand depends on integration and consistency—something that can be difficult to achieve at higher education institutions, where there can be a clash between the priorities of central marcomm and individual schools and departments.
Crisis communications in action at Sheridan College
By Sharon Aschaiek | Jan. 16, 2019
Dealing with issues and emergencies is a core part of communications at all organizations. But sometimes, higher education institutions face issues that require them to throw out their crisis communications handbook and draft a whole new set of rules.
UCalgary’s outstanding marketing work nets prestigious AMA award
By Sharon Aschaiek | Jan. 9, 2018
How does a university marketing department that’s just six years old win the American Marketing Association’s Higher Education Marketer of the Year Team Award? That stunning victory was achieved by Alberta, Canada’s University of Calgary at this year’s AMA Awards.
UBC Library creates award-winning university report
By Sharon Aschaiek | Dec. 5, 2018
A big part of excelling in higher education communications means effectively telling the success stories of your institution. That’s something that the communications and marketing team at UBC Library, the University of British Columbia, understands very well.
Higher education communications: resource roundup
By Sharon Aschaiek | Nov. 28, 2018
Resources to help you function better as a higher education communicator are everywhere. I’ve rounded up a few new and valuable ones to provide inspiration and to help you improve your communication work for your university or college.
Highlighting higher ed successes on social
By Sharon Aschaiek | Nov. 21, 2018
We can use social media to help our higher education institutions shine by sharing school achievements and successes. But exactly what kind of content works best, in which formats and on which platforms? And how do you align the members of your social/digital team?
Improve Life = improved brand for University of Guelph
By Sharon Aschaiek | Nov. 7, 2018
What makes for a successful brand refresh of a higher education institution? Communicators can gain useful insights from the approach taken by the University of Guelph, which won a Silver Leaf Award from IABC Canada for its new brand, Improve Life.
Being reactive in higher ed communications
By Sharon Aschaiek | Oct. 31, 2018
As communicators, we tend to focus mainly on planning content ahead of time. But how do we share meaningful content about developments happening right now? That’s what Ema Gilmartin and Daniel Marrable addressed at the 2018 ContentEd conference.
Dissecting an award-winning donor report
By Sharon Aschaiek | Oct. 24, 2018
Earlier this year, I blogged about the higher education winners of IABC/Toronto’s 2018 Ovation Awards. One project that received an Award of Excellence was the University of Toronto Faculty of Arts & Science’s 2016-17 donor report, The ArtSci Effect.
Higher ed communications and cybersecurity
By Sharon Aschaiek | Oct. 17, 2018
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, which spreads global awareness about digital crime and online safety. How much does this have to do with higher education and, specifically, your communications work? More than you might think.