Columbus State University

Department of Continuing and Professional Education

Media Relations Program

Arranged by Scott Berson

CPEs Mission:

The Department of Continuing and Professional Education at Columbus State University strives

to provide convenient, valuable and affordable educational activities to the Chattahoochee

Valley. Our programs in business, medical technology, leadership, design, dance, photography

and dozens of other disciplines aim to serve our customers and prepare our students for a

successful and fulfilling career or hobby.

Media and Communication Guidelines:

In general, staff members are encouraged to respond to any media or information requests as

their expertise befits them.

Here are some things to keep in mind when speaking with reporters or other media professionals:

Feel free to take some time and think about answers before giving them. Reporters want to get

the story right.

Bring up any other information you think the reporter may be interested in knowing about

upcoming programs.
Do not give out specific information unless you are sure it is correct. If you arent sure, say that

you arent sure and that you will call back when you find out the correct answer. Do not feel

pressured to say everything at once.

Refer reporters to other staff members if you think they would be better equipped to answer any

questions.

For sensitive topics or when you are asked to represent the entire department, refer all

questions to Susan Wirt, executive director. When you are asked a question that relates to the

University at-large, direct all questions to University Relations.

Social Media Policy:

Only the marketing/UX manager and executive director will have administrative privileges over

departmental social media accounts, though they may create moderators or other positions with

publishing rights.

Employees are encouraged to share departmental news, photos or other content to the

departments social media accounts and to share those items on their personal profiles as well.

Run plans by the UX/marketing manager or the executive director first.

Use basic good judgement with personal social media posts, as you are considered a

representative of both the department and Columbus State University. Manage privacy settings

so that your posts are only available to those you specifically choose.
Organizational Goals and Planning:

Rapidly develop a more conducive and integral relationship with the

University, its students and campus life.

a) Hold at least two outreach events on Main Campus by the end of the 2017-18
academic year.
-Have our project management class undertake a real-life project to beautify the campus
-Host a free sewing workshop in the Davidson Center
-Hold a graphic design contest with multiple small prizes. Display work at CE headquarters
and in Davidson
b) Appear in two CSU-wide publications by the end of the 2017-18 academic year.
-Pitch a story about voice-over class to the Saber newspaper
-Reconnect with five memorable students and see where they are with their careers post-ed.
Pitch at least two stories to CSU alumni magazine.
-Connect with UR department and increase the frequency with which IntheKnow emails run
CPE news and events.
c) Leverage our event spaces to host at least two major student-created events by the
end of the 2017-18 academic year.
-Contact representatives from Greek councils and advertise the Rankin Space for formal
events
- Contact the Student Activity Council as soon as possible to make them aware of CEs new
spaces like the Livery.
-Consider dramatic discounts to student groups for student-run events. Analyze cost/benefits
and see how steep a cut we could take for more visibility.

1) Broaden our recognition within the Chattahoochee Valley community as a

viable and valuable option for professional development and unique

educational options
a) Increase our social media following by 25 percent by April 2018
-Post at least once a day
-Boost at least one rich-media post a week for $15
 -Film at least one video a week, subtitled for native viewing
b) Increase enrollment by 15 percent by the end of the 2017-18 academic year
- Cut out direct mail costs and redirect to targeted online marketing
- Audit the department website and clean up registration ease-of-use issues
- Target two new classes for extensive advertisement, not standbys like real estate.
c) Create two marketing campaigns to tie CPEs adult-education opportunities with the
Activ8 Summer Camp program.
-Include prominent banner ads for CPE programs in Activ8 catalog
-Advertise SAT/ACT classes prominently during Activ8 period, possibly in catalog
- Work with marketing to explore connecting career development with family stability
and prosperity.

2) Actively pursue unique and innovative instructors and courses that customers

cannot find anywhere else.

a) Create 10 new, viable courses by the end of the 2017-18 academic year.
-Revisit the bartending class
-Move hard into video production courses
-Move hard into coding, CompSci and engineering courses
b) Reduce the rate of class cancellation by 30 percent by the end of the 2017-18
academic year
-Make a marketing plan for a course before approving it
-Enlist the instructors help to sell the course
-Check-in with students, track previous courses and direct market based on personal
interests
c) Audit current class offerings and remove at least five courses that are no longer
relevant to our customers.
-Explore other options for contracted online-educators (i.e. get rid of WorldEd and
Ed2Go. There must be better options).
- Remove confusing doubled-up classes like project management or medical coding
- Move resources away from photography and toward videography.
MEDIA LIST:

WTVM News Leader 9

Shawn Reynolds, News Director for WTVM: shawnreynolds@wtvm.com

The most popular network for older working adults in Columbus. Reserve this for news that will

likely resonate with older audiences and is sufficiently interesting or newsworthy.

Muscogee Moms

charlotte@muscogeemoms.com

Local forum and news outlet for family activities. Do not use only to market Activ8, look for

opportunities to market any hobby classes, test-prep classes, or other demographically-viable

coruses.

Columbus CEO

No specific names offered: news@thecolumbusceo.com

Run as a service of Georgia Southern University, has a relatively large following in the business

community. Reserve for professional development news.

The Saber

Scottie DeClue, Editor-in-Chief: csusaber@gmail.com

The Saber is your closest and (by far) cheapest way to get eyes on print content related to the

department. Even if they only accept one or two pitches a year, its worth it

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Mark Rice, education reporter: mrice@ledger-enquirer.com

Mark is the main education reporters for the Ledger-Enquirer, the Valleys most prominent
newspaper. Also would not hurt to send major announcements or interesting stories to

newsroom@ledger-enquirer.com. This major listserv will go to all employees.