Communications & Marketing

Student Affairs Communications and Marketing is a dynamic unit of full-time professionals dedicated to supporting the over 30 units and programs in Student Affairs. 

• Project Managers
  Our project management team serves as the point of contact for unit requests and ensures a seamless transition from planning and strategy to design and implementation. Each project request is assigned a PM to serve as a primary contact.
• Graphic Designers
  The graphic design team employs full-time professionals with extensive experience in design, brand management, and accessibility. Our design team works to create dynamic materials while honoring the Penn State and Student Affairs brand vision.
• Social Media Specialists
  Our social media specialist oversees our marquee Student Affairs accounts across a variety of platforms and provides guidance and strategy for existing legacy handles.

Our team tackles a little bit of everything. Connect with us to see how we can support, what resources we can connect you to, or how we can meet your needs in a creative and impactful way.

• Creative Campaigns: We design and implement marketing campaigns that drive awareness of Student Affairs programs and events.
• Content Development: xFrom social media to email newsletters and websites, we create content tailored to Penn State’s diverse student body.
• Branding: We ensure consistent use of Penn State's branding and messaging across all Student Affairs communications.
• Event Promotion: Our team supports campus-wide events, helping students stay informed and engaged.
• Strategic Planning: Through research and data-driven insights, we optimize communication strategies to effectively reach students.
• Website Management: We develop, maintain, and optimize our most visible resources to ensure they are accessible, user-friendly, and aligned with Penn State’s branding and editorial standards.

Our team accepts project requests on a rolling basis. Staff are encouraged to submit project requests early and with appropriate lead time to ensure quality work that meets our standards and staff needs.

• Meet
  Once you submit a project request form, a project manager will reach out to you to verify details and ask any needed questions. This is your time to provide goals, thoughts, and ideas. Depending on the scale of the project this could be a Teams chat, Zoom call, or client meeting.
• Plan
  Depending on needs, your project manager will craft a communications plan for your project. This will include outlining key details like audience and goals while clearly defining timelines and responsibilities between Communications and Marketing and the client.
• Design
  Once the plan is in place our team will work to update existing materials or create a mood board to concept feel and design. Clients will have a chance to provide up to three rounds of feedback to ensure we are building something suitable for the brand and the client.
• Launch
  Needed assets are built and provided in final form to the client in a digital folder. Your project manager will coordinate asset placement based on the agreed communications plan.