Giving Compass' Take:
- Learn strategies higher education institutions can adopt to build campus community, ensuring students are engaged and feel a sense of belonging.
- How can investing in building a thriving campus community help with attracting and retaining students?
- Learn more about key issues in education and how you can help.
- Search our Guide to Good for nonprofits focused on education in your area.
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In the world of higher education, the campus community is one of the most powerful assets a school can offer. A vibrant, inclusive community can make the difference in a student’s decision to enroll and their overall experience. Level up your campus community, enrollment, and engagement with these marketing tips and build campus community.
Highlight What Makes It Unique to Build Campus Community
A sense of belonging is crucial for students. When students feel connected to their campus, they’re more likely to feel comfortable, engaged, and motivated. This can be a significant selling point, and your marketing efforts should reflect this. By highlighting the unique aspects of your campus community, you can attract and retain students looking for a place where they can thrive.
Tailor Content to Different Departments and Programs
Your campus is a diverse ecosystem, with various departments and student programs each attracting a unique type of student. Each of these groups has its own way of engaging with current, prospective, and future enrollees. To build a strong community, it’s essential to understand and enable these differences.
For example, a STEM program might produce content that emphasizes cutting-edge research, hands-on projects, and career opportunities. This content could include detailed blog posts, graphs, and videos showing the latest technology improvements and the successes of current students and alumni.
On the other hand, the athletic department might focus on team spirit, game highlights, and the physical and mental benefits of participating in sports. Their content could be more dynamic, featuring live streams, athlete interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage.
By making your marketing content fit the interests and values of each department, you can make it more personal and interesting for students. This not only helps get the right kind of students, but also helps make a strong community where students from different backgrounds feel valued and connected.
Personalizing Content with Tech
Make students feel seen and valued by personalizing their experience. To best enable individual departments to tell their own stories, universities should consider providing each department with its own email and social media tools to connect with students. The right tools and channels can ensure impactful outreach while maintaining brand consistency.
Read the full article about building campus community at Higher Ed Dive.