Communications Presentation

to Northwest Agriculture and Forestry

University

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Advancement Role of University Communications

• Making friends in a variety of environments

• Highlighting university news in the context of its mission, strengths, and challenges.

• Creating opportunities to strengthen the university’s image, build loyalty and support, and position university assets.

www.newsdesk.umd.edu

Advancement Role of University Communications

• Helping the university achieve the objectives of its strategic plan.

• Positioning the university in a positive way in front of its critical audiences.

• Supporting the university’s alumni, fundraising and government relations efforts.

http://www.umd.edu/strat_plan/exec_summary908.pptx

University Communications

• Media are a major tool -- but not the only tool

• Partnerships with other institutions and organizations

• Collaboration with community, student, alumni and parent groups

• Support for advocacy efforts

University Communications(Media Relations)

Cultivating relationships with various mediato reach broad general audiences. • Print• TV and Radio • Magazines • Trade publications • Web

University Communications(Organizational Partnerships)

Working closely with other organizations to accomplish shared or complementary goals.

• The Science Coalition• National Academies of Science • Association of American Universities• Universities Space Research Association

Today's Scientists Point to the Next Frontiers

"Perhaps more than anything, we need to address the scientific challenge of providing more effective, efficient and diverse sources of energy to drive the global economy, its citizens, and its infrastructure," said William McDonough, professor of geology at the University of Maryland.

http://www.sciencecoalition.org/images/assets/Man%20on%20the%20Moon%20Release%20FINAL%20071509.doc

University Communications(Collaborating With Groups)

Public affairs collaboration with groups often accomplishes mutual goals, creates shared experiences and develops a sense of goodwill.

• National, state, local public safety groups• College Park City Council and citizen groups • UM Student Government Association• Alumni groups

Senior Director for Public Affairs Strategy Millree Williams takes part in the FEMA exercise. (Photo courtesy Frederick News Post)

University Communications(Advocacy Support)

Support for advocacy efforts often brings broad successes

• University System of Maryland Legislative Advocacy

• Task Force on the Future of American Innovation

University Communications

Positioning the University of Maryland through its:

• Research and teaching strengths • Distinctive student experiences • Commitment to serving the state’s

economic and workforce development needs

• Ability to tackle the nation’s “big issues”