The Vision for Collegiate Communications
Watch this 4-minute video of me sharing the vision statement for The Navigators collegiate communications. I’ll also explain what prompted me to write it.
Fall Launch 2015
Right now thousands of students are returning to campus for fall launch (the start of the fall semester) meaning our Nav campus ministries are at their busiest. It’s a key time to make connections with students, particularly with freshmen. It’s critical that our staff at headquarters offer prompt and effective assistance to our campus staff.
As communications director most of the questions I receive revolve around how to create or update campus ministry websites. Over 40 of our campuses use websites built by our IT Department. I help our campus staff get the most out of what they’ve been given.
I encouraged our campus leaders to add the hashtag #NavsFallLaunch to their social media posts during start of the year activities. I’m then able to search for these posts, providing me with a unique, on-the-ground look at how students are being engaged by our staff and student leaders during this critical time of year.
Equipping Our New Navigator Staff
This summer I’ve had the opportunity to teach roughly 100 new Navigator staff joining our EDGE Corps program on the subject of communication best practices. I shared on topics such as the importance of representing The Navigators well in the choices they make on social media and how to properly use Navigator intellectual property like our various logos. I also talked with them about where they can find tutorials to help them effectively and appropriately communicate with their students online.
For many of these staff, working as a campus minister with The Navigators is their first job out of college. They’re confronted for the first time with the necessity to consider the ramifications of their actions as it pertains to their professional reputation and ministry effectiveness. One of the goals I had for my session was to anticipate the potential pitfalls and challenges they may face, then guide them in how to respond well.
In addition to teaching these sessions I was also able to meet with several staff one-on-one to discuss their individual communication strategy with their ministry supporters. I really enjoy building relationships with our staff serving in the field and helping them fulfill their specific ministry needs.
Partnering with The Navigators IT Department
I work closely with our in-house IT department, interacting with their team to create websites and online tools that will benefit our staff serving on college campuses across the country.
Platform Conference 2014
I attended the Platform Conference in Colorado Springs, an event that focuses on how to create a successful online presence.
Collegiate Communications Handbook: Helping Field Staff Communicate Effectively
This month I launched the new Collegiate Communications Handbook website, a resource for our staff that would equip them with the knowledge and tools necessary to carry out a successful communications strategy.