With 100% of college admissions offices using some form of social media, you’re probably already attuned to the power of online communication. And that’s great because college students are currently some of the biggest consumers of media. What all of this means for you is that your students are congregating on the social web, and there’s no better time to gain insight into their discussions.

1. Higher Education
With 100% of college admissions offices using
some form of social media, you’re probably already
attuned to the power of online communication.
And that’s great because college students are
currently some of the biggest consumers of media.
What all of this means for you is that your students universities, Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University
are congregating on the social web, and there’s no understands the importance of student outreach.
better time to gain insight into their discussions. Hosting a page on their website that lists where
you can find them across various social channels,
Current and potential students are gathered they also feature a blog written by JHU Insiders -
electronically right now, discussing everything from current students who act as student ambassadors
campus dining options to course selection. And and share their experiences on campus with those
those comments are just some of the things you who are both considering, and have already been
could be listening for. How about building stronger accepted to, Johns Hopkins. These conversational
connections with alumni or learning what potential outreaches help to develop strong community ties
students are saying about other schools? Social before students even arrive on campus.
listening can help with that, too. Whatever your
reason for getting involved, we’re here and we’re
eager to help. The conversations are happening; Handle a Crisis
don’t you want to know what’s being said?
Being engaged on the social web gives you
another outlet to share information with students
Help Students Find the Right Fit during emergency situations. Use online channels
to share information on campus evacuations,
When it comes to choosing your ultimate fire drills, as well as any suspicious or dangerous
destination for higher education, it’s all about fit. activity. Different social channels will help you
Students want to know that when they arrive on interact with your followers in different ways –
campus they’ll feel like they’re coming home. Twitter encourages real-time, brief messaging,
Use your various social media profiles to show while YouTube is more useful for longer messages
students your institution is the right place for them. that do not carry the same sense of urgency.
Prospective students are increasingly turning Once you’ve decided on the best channel for your
away from promotional materials, and instead messaging, you’ll be set to share.
focusing on getting advice from friends, family and
the social web. Word of mouth is playing a large Sharing messages online is an effective method of
role in choosing the perfect school, meaning your working through a crisis – but wouldn’t it be great
institution cannot afford to miss out on perception- to stop a situation before it escalates? Monitoring
shaping conversations. social channels can give your campus administrators
and security a heads up when it comes to potentially
Frequently ranked as one of the top social dangerous situations. Staff members at Des Moines
www.radian6.com
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2. Higher Education
Area Community College understand the importance or to aid support services in responding to an on-
of effective monitoring. Noticing that a student had campus e-request. Students want to engage with
stated online that he planned to bring a gun to one of you using their preferred social channels – get out
the campuses, and was looking for someone to do there and meet them where they’re gathering online.
the same at another location, the college was able
to intervene before the situation became potentially Tufts University excels at connecting students to
deadly. They credit social monitoring for their ability numerous departments across the campus, via a
to rectify the issue in such an expedient manner. number of social channels. Actively engaging on
everything from Twitter and blogs to Foursquare and
LinkedIn, Tufts gives their students the opportunity
Bring Social into the Classroom to not only see what is going on behind the scenes
at the school, but to also get their questions
Your school might already be aware of how social addressed in a quick and convenient manner.
can enhance your online profile, but have you
thought much about the positive impact it can have
on classroom learning? Go ahead and surprise your Strengthen Alumni Connections
students – encourage them to use social in the
classroom. And no, we don’t mean getting them to Higher education communities are usually some
spend your hour long lecture surfing their favourite of the strongest we’ll ever belong to – just ask
social networks. There are many benefits to be anyone who’s ever attended a college or university.
gained from exploring the interdisciplinary learning When a student crosses the stage at convocation it
environment of the social web. doesn’t mean the relationship is over – they’re just
transitioning into a different role in your community.
Understanding the positive impact that integrating
social media into the classroom could have on Happy students become happy alumni. And
students from all disciplines, Clemson University the social web is a great way to maintain those
founded their Social Media Command Center. The connections. Reach out to alumni on social
Command Center gives students the opportunity to channels to overcome the obstacle of lapsed
conduct their own independent research, exploring contact information. DeVry University excels
the topics that are of interest to them and honing at creating connections between their current
their critical thinking skills. One such group was able students and alumni. Through various channels,
to use online conversations to predict movements in including LinkedIn, the school has succeeded at
the foreign exchange market, giving them a learning promoting networking events that have created a
experience they definitely would not have obtained real sense of community.
in a standard classroom.
Remaining engaged with your alumni through the
social web is one of the best ways to maintain
Social Service is the New Marketing the already strong sense of community, fostering
pride in your school that could translate to donor
Engagement on the social web is all about getting opportunities in the future.
the right conversations to the people that matter,
helping to bring an already tight-knit campus Interested in building your online presence in the
community even closer together. Use social to help field of higher education? Contact us to get started
your admissions office field questions over the web, with Salesforce Radian6 today.
www.radian6.com
1 888 6RADIAN (1 888 672-3426) Copyright © 2012 - Radian6