Speakers at the next University Communicator Network meeting will discuss the importance of students getting involved on campus and how that involvement impacts their sense of belonging and persistence/retention.

Join us on Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Alumni House from 3-4:30 p.m. to hear from Aaron Haight, associate vice president for student engagement and dean of students, plus staff from the Office of Student Life as they discuss survey results and a toolkit to encourage student involvement.

More than 135 campus communicators attended the inaugural CommCon on June 17 at the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health. 

All CommCon breakout sessions and keynote presentations are posted on the University Communicator Network website (login needed to access information).

Messages throughout the day focused on authentic communication and practical ways to tell the GVSU story. Imran Mazid, associate professor of advertising and public relations, discussed the challenges and ethical considerations of artificial intelligence in communications. 

President Philomena V. Mantella, during a lunchtime fireside chat, said that communication involves trust and relies on a campus network to carry a message forward.

Thank you to our great presenters, UCN steering committee and volunteers for planning a day full of tactics and networking opportunities!

Submitted by Amanda Rainey, associate director of Admissions and Divisional Marketing & Communications

We're excited to share The Pathways Project Podcast, a new series produced by the Division of Enrollment Development and College Futures and hosted by Vice President B. Donta Truss. The Pathways Project features conversations with leaders across K-12 and higher education who are shaping student success, expanding opportunity and building stronger educational pathways.

Available now, Episode 2 features a conversation with Kyle Smitley, founder and executive director of Detroit Achievement Academy and Detroit Prep. Those schools were founded on the idea that hands-on, collaborative learning with a backbone of social-emotional curriculum creates learners who are civically engaged, joyful citizens. In that conversation, Truss and Smitley discuss student-centered leadership, redefining success beyond test scores and the importance of creating meaningful partnerships between K-12 education and higher education to expand opportunities for students.

Episode 3 will feature a conversation with Danny Velez, associate vice president of Admissions and Recruitment. Truss and Velez will discuss new perspectives on enrollment, student success and educational leadership. Tune in now and catch up on our first two episodes and subscribe to catch the third installment coming soon. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.