Social Media today is a necessity in the world of higher education. This presentation walks through how social media in higher education has evolved, how colleges and universities can use it to reach a wide audience base, and how to stay on top as technology continues to evolve.

1. Social Media in Education: An Education

2. This session will cover:

3. This session will cover:
The importance of using social media to stay connected with
alumni.

4. This session will cover:
The importance of using social media to stay connected with
alumni.
Why Social Media is here to stay – and how institutions should
integrate it into the curriculum.

5. This session will cover:
The importance of using social media to stay connected with
alumni.
Why Social Media is here to stay – and how institutions should
integrate it into the curriculum.
Strategic Thinking and your Social Image -- Who maintains your
institution’s Social Image? How do we integrate consumers into
the mix?

6. This session will cover:
The importance of using social media to stay connected with
alumni.
Why Social Media is here to stay – and how institutions should
integrate it into the curriculum.
Strategic Thinking and your Social Image -- Who maintains your
institution’s Social Image? How do we integrate consumers into
the mix?
Plans for Social Media upkeep – staying current with online trends.

7. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni

8. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
Cardinal rule: Keep the “social” in social media!

9. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
Cardinal rule: Keep the “social” in social media!
Consumers are marketers through social media, alumni are
“ambassadors”

10. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
Cardinal rule: Keep the “social” in social media!
Consumers are marketers through social media, alumni are
“ambassadors”
If we build it, will they come?

11. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
Cardinal rule: Keep the “social” in social media!
Consumers are marketers through social media, alumni are
“ambassadors”
If we build it, will they come?
Outreach to key alumni for collaboration – spread the
word amongst their friends

12. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
Cardinal rule: Keep the “social” in social media!
Consumers are marketers through social media, alumni are
“ambassadors”
If we build it, will they come?
Outreach to key alumni for collaboration – spread the
word amongst their friends
Use Social Media as a “gathering place”

13. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
Cardinal rule: Keep the “social” in social media!
Consumers are marketers through social media, alumni are
“ambassadors”
If we build it, will they come?
Outreach to key alumni for collaboration – spread the
word amongst their friends
Use Social Media as a “gathering place”
Reconnect

14. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
Cardinal rule: Keep the “social” in social media!
Consumers are marketers through social media, alumni are
“ambassadors”
If we build it, will they come?
Outreach to key alumni for collaboration – spread the
word amongst their friends
Use Social Media as a “gathering place”
Reconnect
Share information/updates

15. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
Cardinal rule: Keep the “social” in social media!
Consumers are marketers through social media, alumni are
“ambassadors”
If we build it, will they come?
Outreach to key alumni for collaboration – spread the
word amongst their friends
Use Social Media as a “gathering place”
Reconnect
Share information/updates
Plan Events – reunions/homecoming

16. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
Cardinal rule: Keep the “social” in social media!
Consumers are marketers through social media, alumni are
“ambassadors”
If we build it, will they come?
Outreach to key alumni for collaboration – spread the
word amongst their friends
Use Social Media as a “gathering place”
Reconnect
Share information/updates
Plan Events – reunions/homecoming
Cultivation/Prospect Tools

17. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni

18. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
The balance between Alumni and Current Students: Blend
and Separate

19. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
The balance between Alumni and Current Students: Blend
and Separate
Alumni are interested in current students and
happenings on campus

20. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
The balance between Alumni and Current Students: Blend
and Separate
Alumni are interested in current students and
happenings on campus
Alumni also look for a place to congregate as alumni

21. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
The balance between Alumni and Current Students: Blend
and Separate
Alumni are interested in current students and
happenings on campus
Alumni also look for a place to congregate as alumni
While moderating a fan page or group, all audiences must
be accounted for

22. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
The balance between Alumni and Current Students: Blend
and Separate
Alumni are interested in current students and
happenings on campus
Alumni also look for a place to congregate as alumni
While moderating a fan page or group, all audiences must
be accounted for
The sharing of news is always ideal – most every
audience at a higher education institution is interested

23. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
The balance between Alumni and Current Students: Blend
and Separate
Alumni are interested in current students and
happenings on campus
Alumni also look for a place to congregate as alumni
While moderating a fan page or group, all audiences must
be accounted for
The sharing of news is always ideal – most every
audience at a higher education institution is interested
Keep it friendly

24. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
The balance between Alumni and Current Students: Blend
and Separate
Alumni are interested in current students and
happenings on campus
Alumni also look for a place to congregate as alumni
While moderating a fan page or group, all audiences must
be accounted for
The sharing of news is always ideal – most every
audience at a higher education institution is interested
Keep it friendly
In addition to alumni and students, maintain a positive
relationship with the community

25. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
The balance between Alumni and Current Students: Blend
and Separate
Alumni are interested in current students and
happenings on campus
Alumni also look for a place to congregate as alumni
While moderating a fan page or group, all audiences must
be accounted for
The sharing of news is always ideal – most every
audience at a higher education institution is interested
Keep it friendly
In addition to alumni and students, maintain a positive
relationship with the community
Improves “town gown” relations

26. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni

27. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
How can we measure success?

28. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
How can we measure success?
Social media has become the fastest way for colleges
and universities to reconnect with alumni

29. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
How can we measure success?
Social media has become the fastest way for colleges
and universities to reconnect with alumni
Easy to use analytics tools within Social Media sites
monitor growth of groups and pages

30. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
How can we measure success?
Social media has become the fastest way for colleges
and universities to reconnect with alumni
Easy to use analytics tools within Social Media sites
monitor growth of groups and pages
Discussions amongst members can be easily started and
monitored, providing excellent feedback from our
“consumers”

31. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
How can we measure success?
Social media has become the fastest way for colleges
and universities to reconnect with alumni
Easy to use analytics tools within Social Media sites
monitor growth of groups and pages
Discussions amongst members can be easily started and
monitored, providing excellent feedback from our
“consumers”
Social Media allows us to reach out our alumni base,
allowing and encouraging alumni to provide updated
information for our database – resulting in improved data
integrity

32. The importance of using social media to stay
connected with alumni
How can we measure success?
Social media has become the fastest way for colleges
and universities to reconnect with alumni
Easy to use analytics tools within Social Media sites
monitor growth of groups and pages
Discussions amongst members can be easily started and
monitored, providing excellent feedback from our
“consumers”
Social Media allows us to reach out our alumni base,
allowing and encouraging alumni to provide updated
information for our database – resulting in improved data
integrity
Let’s take a look at Westfield State College’s Fan Page and

33. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the

34. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the
Student/faculty connection – how connected is too
connected?

35. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the
Student/faculty connection – how connected is too
connected?

36. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the
Student/faculty connection – how connected is too
connected?
Good uses in the classroom:

37. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the
Student/faculty connection – how connected is too
connected?
Good uses in the classroom:
Create a Facebook group for your classes to interact

38. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the
Student/faculty connection – how connected is too
connected?
Good uses in the classroom:
Create a Facebook group for your classes to interact
Have your students complete an assignment through
use of a Twitter account (extra credit, anyone?)

39. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the
Student/faculty connection – how connected is too
connected?
Good uses in the classroom:
Create a Facebook group for your classes to interact
Have your students complete an assignment through
use of a Twitter account (extra credit, anyone?)
Build an assignment where students create a
LinkedIn page to connect and interview a professional
(alumni?) in their field

40. Why Social Media is here to stay:

41. Why Social Media is here to stay:
Student/faculty connection – how connected is too
connected?

42. Why Social Media is here to stay:
Student/faculty connection – how connected is too
connected?

43. Why Social Media is here to stay:
Student/faculty connection – how connected is too
connected?
Poor uses in the classroom

44. Why Social Media is here to stay:
Student/faculty connection – how connected is too
connected?
Poor uses in the classroom
Faculty becoming Facebook friends with students
while their instructor (use as a way to stay connected
after graduation)

45. Why Social Media is here to stay:
Student/faculty connection – how connected is too
connected?
Poor uses in the classroom
Faculty becoming Facebook friends with students
while their instructor (use as a way to stay connected
after graduation)
Integrating Social Media without having proper
knowledge of how it is used

46. Why Social Media is here to stay:
Student/faculty connection – how connected is too
connected?
Poor uses in the classroom
Faculty becoming Facebook friends with students
while their instructor (use as a way to stay connected
after graduation)
Integrating Social Media without having proper
knowledge of how it is used
Encouraging inappropriate use of Social Media (ex.
Having students “tweet” at a prestigious speaker’s
presentation without understanding “Twittiquette”)

47. Why Social Media is here to stay:
Student/faculty connection – how connected is too
connected?
Poor uses in the classroom
Faculty becoming Facebook friends with students
while their instructor (use as a way to stay connected
after graduation)
Integrating Social Media without having proper
knowledge of how it is used
Encouraging inappropriate use of Social Media (ex.
Having students “tweet” at a prestigious speaker’s
presentation without understanding “Twittiquette”)

48. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the

49. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the
Prospective students are watching – is your institution’s
social image ready?

50. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the
Prospective students are watching – is your institution’s
social image ready?

51. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the
Prospective students are watching – is your institution’s
social image ready?
Students researching colleges and universities will likely
look at a school’s Facebook page

52. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the
Prospective students are watching – is your institution’s
social image ready?
Students researching colleges and universities will likely
look at a school’s Facebook page
If your page is not active and lacks “fans”, students will
notice this – what tone does it set for your school?

53. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the
Prospective students are watching – is your institution’s
social image ready?
Students researching colleges and universities will likely
look at a school’s Facebook page
If your page is not active and lacks “fans”, students will
notice this – what tone does it set for your school?
Keeping your page updated and well maintained

54. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the
Prospective students are watching – is your institution’s
social image ready?
Students researching colleges and universities will likely
look at a school’s Facebook page
If your page is not active and lacks “fans”, students will
notice this – what tone does it set for your school?
Keeping your page updated and well maintained
Schools without a presence on Social Media sites will fall
off the radar

55. Why Social Media is here to stay:
How institutions should integrate it into the
Prospective students are watching – is your institution’s
social image ready?
Students researching colleges and universities will likely
look at a school’s Facebook page
If your page is not active and lacks “fans”, students will
notice this – what tone does it set for your school?
Keeping your page updated and well maintained
Schools without a presence on Social Media sites will fall
off the radar

56. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image

57. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image

58. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image
Who maintains your institution’s Social Image? All hands
on deck!

59. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image
Who maintains your institution’s Social Image? All hands
on deck!

60. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image
Who maintains your institution’s Social Image? All hands
on deck!
Utilize the power of your students – they are savvy, in
the know, and will put your school in a positive light

61. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image
Who maintains your institution’s Social Image? All hands
on deck!
Utilize the power of your students – they are savvy, in
the know, and will put your school in a positive light
Provide an internship or paid part time position for one
or two students with social media maintenance as their
primary focus

62. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image
Who maintains your institution’s Social Image? All hands
on deck!
Utilize the power of your students – they are savvy, in
the know, and will put your school in a positive light
Provide an internship or paid part time position for one
or two students with social media maintenance as their
primary focus
Your pages will have the “feel” of a student’s point of
view but you will have managing authority over the
content

63. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image
Who maintains your institution’s Social Image? All hands
on deck!
Utilize the power of your students – they are savvy, in
the know, and will put your school in a positive light
Provide an internship or paid part time position for one
or two students with social media maintenance as their
primary focus
Your pages will have the “feel” of a student’s point of
view but you will have managing authority over the
content
Use the Power of Three: Consistent, Frequent and

64. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image

65. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image
Integrating “consumers” into the mix – how to maintain a
positive image in the face of negativity

66. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image
Integrating “consumers” into the mix – how to maintain a
positive image in the face of negativity

67. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image
Integrating “consumers” into the mix – how to maintain a
positive image in the face of negativity
Listen to your audience – often upset consumers are
just looking for someone to hear them out

68. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image
Integrating “consumers” into the mix – how to maintain a
positive image in the face of negativity
Listen to your audience – often upset consumers are
just looking for someone to hear them out
Address the issue at hand and make every effort to
“right the wrong”

69. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image
Integrating “consumers” into the mix – how to maintain a
positive image in the face of negativity
Listen to your audience – often upset consumers are
just looking for someone to hear them out
Address the issue at hand and make every effort to
“right the wrong”
Handle the situation individually – don’t make a public
Facebook or Twitter war

70. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image
Integrating “consumers” into the mix – how to maintain a
positive image in the face of negativity
Listen to your audience – often upset consumers are
just looking for someone to hear them out
Address the issue at hand and make every effort to
“right the wrong”
Handle the situation individually – don’t make a public
Facebook or Twitter war
Respond publicly to the post after the issue has been
resolved, and keep it positive and directed toward the
community – stick to the facts

71. Strategic Thinking and your Social
Image
Integrating “consumers” into the mix – how to maintain a
positive image in the face of negativity
Listen to your audience – often upset consumers are
just looking for someone to hear them out
Address the issue at hand and make every effort to
“right the wrong”
Handle the situation individually – don’t make a public
Facebook or Twitter war
Respond publicly to the post after the issue has been
resolved, and keep it positive and directed toward the
community – stick to the facts

72. Plans for Social Media upkeep:
Staying current with online trends

73. Plans for Social Media upkeep:
Staying current with online trends
Stay in the know – always keep an eye and ear out for the
latest trend in Social Media

74. Plans for Social Media upkeep:
Staying current with online trends
Stay in the know – always keep an eye and ear out for the
latest trend in Social Media
Grab your “name” on any new Social Media site – even if
you don’t plan to use it until later, you have the domain

75. Plans for Social Media upkeep:
Staying current with online trends
Stay in the know – always keep an eye and ear out for the
latest trend in Social Media
Grab your “name” on any new Social Media site – even if
you don’t plan to use it until later, you have the domain
Look to savvy students to provide updates on what’s hot in
the Social Media and Communications world

76. Plans for Social Media upkeep:
Staying current with online trends
Stay in the know – always keep an eye and ear out for the
latest trend in Social Media
Grab your “name” on any new Social Media site – even if
you don’t plan to use it until later, you have the domain
Look to savvy students to provide updates on what’s hot in
the Social Media and Communications world
Look to your allies – other institutions – to see what they
are doing to stay current

77. Plans for Social Media upkeep:
Staying current with online trends
Stay in the know – always keep an eye and ear out for the
latest trend in Social Media
Grab your “name” on any new Social Media site – even if
you don’t plan to use it until later, you have the domain
Look to savvy students to provide updates on what’s hot in
the Social Media and Communications world
Look to your allies – other institutions – to see what they
are doing to stay current
Continue to learn through workshops, webinars and more
- check out PodCamp Western Massachusetts 2 on Saturday,
February 6th!

78. Plans for Social Media upkeep:
Staying current with online trends
Stay in the know – always keep an eye and ear out for the
latest trend in Social Media
Grab your “name” on any new Social Media site – even if
you don’t plan to use it until later, you have the domain
Look to savvy students to provide updates on what’s hot in
the Social Media and Communications world
Look to your allies – other institutions – to see what they
are doing to stay current
Continue to learn through workshops, webinars and more
- check out PodCamp Western Massachusetts 2 on Saturday,
February 6th!