Have you ever wanted to better understand reels?
What makes a compelling video? How do other higher-ed social media staff think about content creation as it relates to higher-ed?
What tools do I need?
In this session, I hope to equip you with some fundamentals, talk about some tools and styles for producing engaging reels.

Discover how Episcopal cultivated a powerful alliance between our institution's advancement office and the Black Alumni Network. This session will explore strategic approaches to foster meaningful connections, enhance alumni engagement, and leverage the unique strengths of Black alumni for mutual growth and success. Attendees will gain insights into collaborative initiatives, effective communication strategies, and innovative programs that drive alumni satisfaction and institutional advancement. Join us to learn how to create a synergistic partnership that empowers Black alumni and propels your institution forward.

What does the modern marketing and communications workload look like in a small shop? Is it possible to work beyond the limits of small shop staff? Having a local partner to help engage with the local community is vital to the process. Two years ago, Northwest Mississippi Community College changed its marketing tactics and gained a great partnership within its own community, a local television studio that became a true partner in the college's marketing plan. That plan spans generic enrollment ads, athletic events, weather updates and weekly custom created segments for broadcast and socials.

Learn about the sustained success of William & Mary's Society of 1918 women's philanthropy initiative. Beginning its 7th year, the Society continues to grow in numbers and impact and is now comprised of over 600 women who are philanthropically committed to W&M. The success of the Society is borne out of existing research and 6 proven principles derived from Kathleen Loehr's Gender Matters: A Guide to Growing Women's Philanthropy. We will share both our successes and lessons learned along the way. This session is a fit for you whether you are exploring the potential return on investment, currently launching or striving to sustain and grow your women's philanthropy initiative.

1 in 9 people ages 65+ is showing some sign of cognitive impairment, which is also the same age as the average major gift donor in the United States. Encountering an elderly donor in cognitive decline is inevitable as advancement staff, yet few know how to ethically and legally handle this situation when it arises. Is your institution prepared? This session will teach attendees how to spot the signs of cognitive impairment and what best practices their team should implement when faced with an older donor who has cognitive impairment issues.

A strong alumni program leads with a diverse menu of options – events, volunteer opportunities, digital presence, etc. How can you create multiple opportunities for your alumni while they are scattered around the world? How can you develop opportunities that enhance your digital presence and encourage interaction with alumni? What content will inspire institutional pride and encourage interaction - all while reaching a broader audience? This session will explore answers to these questions while giving specific examples of successful digital engagement initiatives led by the Duke Sanford School of Public Policy. Want to learn more about our recent summer initiative #DogDaysOfSummer where we asked alumni to share their policy stories and photos with us? How did we launch ‘100 Hours of Service for 100 Years of Duke” and reach over 2,000 hours within the first few months? I look forward to sharing these initiatives with you as we take a deep dive into these concepts, data, and takeaways that will inspire your school to enhance your alumni digital experience. What opportunities can you create that: highlight your school priorities, encourage engagement within the alumni network, increase alumni engagement, and lift up the successes of your school? Let’s create!

Participants will learn how to create an audio/video podcast featuring alumni. The session will detail the production, promotion, and benefits of the podcast.

This session will offer insight into how an Advancement events team and Athletics fundraisers and event planners can collaborate to make event magic happen! We'll discuss how to divide and conquer, how Athletics donors may require us to slightly stray from the norm of donor events, and how to ensure that your event has just the right level of pep!

Catawba College located in Salisbury, NC was the 13th college in the country to reach Carbon Neutrality. This was achieved 7 years ahead of schedule and was done very intentionally. Catawba's development staff, working with the Center for the Environment's staff has raised over $160M in endowed and non-endowed gifts in recent years for geo-thermal systems, solar systems, sustainable building renovations and many other initiatives. We are creating a living laboratory on our campus to teach our students, faculty, staff and our community how we can change our world using our built environment and campus grounds.

Learn from two leaders who have successfully raised funds for sustainability projects. Learn more about the potential impacts for campus and donors and why this is a critical path forward for colleges and universities ongoing sustainability and climate action efforts for both operations and academics.

By collaborating with Licensing to develop unique ODU-branded products like beer, barbecue sauce, ice cream, and the 1930 Collection clothing line, Old Dominion University (ODU) Alumni Relations has successfully engaged new audiences, strengthened alumni connections, and enhanced brand visibility. This session will focus on how ODU Alumni Relations has partnered with Licensing to develop and promote these products, fostering loyalty, increasing pride, and deepening engagement. Join us to learn how to work with Licensing, make the most of these partnerships, and effectively use your marketing and communications team to bring these ideas to life.