When Rossier launched the MAT@USC online program in 2009, it set a national benchmark for online learning. Our school’s innovative thinking extends to having the first dedicated Social Media Strategist. I am thrilled to hold this position. Not only do I love using new technologies to connect with people, but I am honored to work for a school that has such a positive impact on students’ lives. My eclectic background as a website designer, social media expert, alumni volunteer and five-time PTA president helps me in all aspects of this position.
My main goals in this position are as follows:
• To inform people of the research and achievements of Rossier faculty, students and alumni;
• To keep the Rossier community up-to-date regarding the latest educational news and trends, and;
• To facilitate networking within the Rossier community.
I target prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, staff, supporters, and the media with my work. I want students to want to come here, and to feel proud when they do. I want people to know what others are working on, so they can find synergies with their own work. And I want anyone associated with Rossier to be the most informed person in the room about not only what we do, but about the latest education developments.
Thankfully, I have many tools at my disposal. The one I’m most excited about is the Show and Tell portal
LINK: http://www.uscrossier.org/news/
I created. Although it went live only a few months ago, it already has over 200 posts about the research and achievements of Rossier faculty, students and alumni. I link to Show and Tell from Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, which all help us to engage with our community. Show and Tell also provides us with a repository of interlinking posts that help readers to learn more about a topic or an individual’s work.
The key tool that I use to inform the Rossier community about the latest education-related news is the Daily News Digest. I scour the web for the most relevant articles and posts, and include about a dozen in an email that I send to over 5,000 people. The feedback I’ve received about this has been very positive. Doctoral students have told me that they’ve used articles they’ve read in the Daily Digest in their research, and others have told me they’re “addicted” to this email. Click here
to subscribe. The most exciting project that I’m working on is our alumni portal. We’re developing software that will allow alumni and current students to network about best classroom practices and job opportunities. This site will also provide a document repository for classroom materials and personal portfolios, and will provide professional development. We will start developing this in 2012, so stand by for progress reports.
As you can tell, being the Social Media Strategist involves much more than posting to Facebook and Twitter. Besides the projects I’ve mentioned, I’ve also enjoyed teaching people how to use social media tools and have brainstormed with them about how new tools can be used at Rossier and in the classroom. If you ever have a social media question or would like to share an exciting program or app, please stop by WPH 503B or send me an email! LINK: mailto:kchernan@usc.edu
- Kathy Hernandez
