Learning Resources

Abstract: Institutions around the world use various social channels—blogs, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and many others—as an integral part of campaigns designed to achieve important outcomes. This article describes some of what the author has learned about using social media as part of a campaign. It also presents three abridged case studies from the book Social Works: How #HigherEd Uses #SocialMedia to Raise Money, Build Awareness, Recruit Students and Get Results (EDUniverse Media 2013):
- College of William & Mary: High school seniors and their families see countless mailings from admissions offices across the country that lack individual impact. Admissions leaders at the College of William & Mary knew this when they tackled a project to create new undergraduate recruitment materials. They needed a solution that stood out from the competition, had immediate visual impact, and drove traffic to the college website. Enter the Ampersandbox, launched in August 2011. This unique campaign concept tells stories about William & Mary through highly interactive print and web components while allowing visitors to share their own stories.
- Florida State University: Three months of planning doesn’t sound long enough to prepare a 36-hour fund-raising campaign to raise $161,000. Yet this was the challenge that faced Florida State University’s then-director of annual giving Chad Warren and his staff of two fund-raisers in 2011. In January 2012, FSU’s annual giving team surpassed that goal and reached $186,000 while attracting hundreds of new donors. This was the “Great Give,” FSU’s first online-only campaign—and its foundation was social media.​
- Missouri University of Science and Technology: When a crisis hits, social media can deliver important messages to many audiences at a rapid pace. However, with all the messaging that occurs on multiple channels, the atmosphere appears ripe for confusion. How can a university or college break through the virtual noise and make sure its constituents are receiving important emergency messages? On May 12, 2011, a remarkable example of social media crisis management began to unfold at Missouri University of Science and Technology when an active shooter drove onto the campus.

Abstract: This article describes planning and design processes between architect and client for renovations and additions to the Brault Administration Building at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) in Annandale, Virginia, a Washington, DC, suburb. Highlighting sustainability through adaptive reuse, this article describes in detail logistical planning for temporary relocation of building occupants, as well as collaborative communication between NOVA officials and architects for achieving design objectives. This article also details the scope of renovations and square footage added to this 1980s-era structure and references Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED), including sustainable practices for obtaining and disposing of building materials. The overall message conveyed by this renovation project is the importance of collaborative communication in terms of both planning and design, which can also offer new paradigms for building modernization and reuse at other community college campuses.

Abstract: Building an institutional strategic plan for transfer students requires a systematic, holistic, integrated, and comprehensive approach rooted in institutional commitment and mission. This article discusses how to prepare and build support for transfer student success in both the administrative and academic “silos” of the institution. Readers will learn how to build campuswide support for their efforts as well as how to foster and sustain critical top leadership support across campus as they proactively address the significant informational, cultural, and economic barriers that stand in the way of community college transfer students.

Abstract: Continuing its efforts to provide engaging spaces for students and promote collaborative education, Southwestern Michigan College had a new vision for what the campus library should be. An interior renovation of the existing library created an inviting atmosphere that is more conducive to today’s active learning. A new space plan encourages social interaction and group activities while providing dedicated areas for quiet study and tutoring. New finishes and updated furnishings revitalized the outdated facility with a warm, contemporary aesthetic. The design team worked closely with the college administration and library staff to achieve their goals within a short time frame and with limited resources.

Abstract: Introducing housing on a community college campus will affect several areas of campus life including dining, security, recreation, and student programming. Unlike four-year institutions, community colleges have limited activity after a certain hour with the exception of library and recreational facilities. Additional programs and services will be needed to support a 24-hour operation, which will have an impact on the overall operating costs of the college. This article is intended to identify the direct and indirect costs involved and assess the overall financial impact of operating student housing.