Reception
Lora Robins Gallery of Design from Nature

Registration & Continental Breakfast
Jepson Hall foyer and faculty lounge

General Session and Keynote, by by Daniel LaVista, executive director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), Public Perceptions of Higher Education

What do Virginians-legislators, parents, the general public-think of higher education in the Commonwealth? Have these perceptions been changing? How and why? What should higher ed communicators consider when crafting their messages? Dr. LaVista, in his present position since 2004, is uniquely positioned to weigh in on the current climate and its implications for how we do our jobs.

Concurrent Sessions

University of Richmond Web Site Redesign - How We Did It

You've decided that you need to redesign your school's Web site. Where do you start? How do you get all the different pieces to coalesce into the end product? Our panel, which includes Tim Roberts, Rachel Beanland, Phillip Gravely and Eric Palmer, will talk about recent redesigns and share insights and best practices that emerged from their experiences.

Target Marketing and the Millennials - Research + Creative = Bigger Slice of Pie

To attract and retain the students most likely to succeed at your institution, you need to do more than understand broad generational characteristics - you must target your efforts to specific segments of the college-bound population. Crista Cabe, associate VP for communication, marketing, and public affairs at Mary Baldwin College, will discuss how Mary Baldwin College has drawn on research to create a constellation of recruitment materials to attract the largest pool of applicants in its history.

Long-Term Effects of National Media Attention

Every so often a college or university is thrust into the national spotlight. Sometimes it is planned, but sometimes it comes by surprise. Sometimes it is controversial, and other times not. Regardless of the circumstances, the attention changes the institution and how it communicates. This panel discussion will address the challenges that come with this national attention. It will include Chuck Steenburgh, formerly of Virginia Military Institute, who was at the school when it became co-ed in the late 1990s, Dan Walsh of George Mason University, who saw the success of the basketball team make the institution a household name, and Teresa Mannix of the University of Mary Washington, which made national news over the firing of the institution's previous president.

Concurrent Sessions

Web Roundtable

Who Is the "Typical College Student"? Are Non-Traditional Adult Students Becoming the New Norm?

The U.S. Department of Labor recently reported that adult learners over age 24 currently comprise about 44 percent of US postsecondary students. This emerging market presents both opportunities and challenges to the traditional higher education system.

This panel will discuss trends in demographics for adult education; the tailoring of academic programs for adult learners, especially in relation to the need for an educated workforce; the necessity for convenient schedules and creative delivery options; and affordability issues. Presenters also will relate how they are recruiting and educating adult learners at their institutions. They are: Chris Domes, vice president of enrollment and student services, Marymount University; James L. Narduzzi, dean of the School of Continuing Studies, University of Richmond; Cathy Ferris McPherson, associate professor of business administration, Richmond Regional Center, Mary Baldwin College; and Susan Swett, director, graduate admissions, College of Humanities and Social Services, George Mason University.

I'm (NOT) Just Asking - Campaign Communications That Do More

Are you tasked with creating campaign communications that do more than just make the ask? This workshop will help you craft development messages that both reinforce - and are reinforced by - your college's particular strengths, and help you identify ways to spread those messages across all your campus communications. The presenters are Michael Kiser, director of development communications, and Amy Ostroth, publications manager, University Development, Virginia Tech.

Concurrent sessions

Keeping the Story in Sight

Complex jargon. Departmental politics. Endless rounds of review. This workshop focuses on how to use traditional journalism techniques to overcome the challenges typical academic environments pose to good storytelling. The presenters are Catherine Doss, communications manager, College of Science, Virginia Tech, and Albert Raboteau, development writer, University Development, Virginia Tech.

Visual Design Trends - What's Hot? What's Not?

VCU Print Design Manager Trina Lambert and VCU Art Director Pam Arnold will discuss the latest trends in visual design. Discover exciting new ideas you can incorporate into your next design project.

Spreading Your News Via Traditional and New Media

This session explores delivery of college news through traditional media outlets as well as blogs, FaceBook, YouTube and other "new media" popular with teens and 20-somethings. You'll hear from news practitioners and professionals familiar with today's new media.