Strategic Communications PlanGRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH

GSR Overview

Graduate Studies and Research (GSR) was formed in summer 2010 as a Dean-level unit of the Division of Academic Affairs. Areas of positive impact include:

• Pre-award Services• Research Compliance• Post-award Services• Internal Grants Programming• Graduate Program Administration• GSR Communications

GSR Mission Statement

In collaboration with the faculty and staff at Salisbury University, the office of Graduate Studies and Research strives to develop student-centered, advanced degree programs, while recognizing and rewarding outstanding faculty and student achievement in all fields of study. We support individual and collaborative research projects, and implement policies and procedures by which the university is governed. Our goals are to ensure that SU’s graduate programs are of the highest quality, and that the University complies with all federal, state and accreditation guidelines and policies related to education and research. We support and advise on the initiation or transformation of academic programs, advocate for and address the needs of faculty and students in the areas of scholarship as well as creative and research related activities. We disseminate information to SU faculty and students regarding policies related to curriculum and research, facilitate the development of new post-baccalaureate and doctoral degree programs, and assist in the development of faculty research activities.

GSR Mission Statement

… Ensure that SU’s graduate programs are of the highest quality

… Comply with all federal, state and accreditation guidelines and policies related to education and research

… Assist in the development of faculty research activities

Goals & ObjectivesSUPPORTING OUR MISSION

Spanning Two Functions

Graduate Studies Research

Three Overarching Goals:

Increase faculty grant submittals and awards

Ensure research compliance for all projects

Grow SU’s graduate division

Goal #1

Increase grant submittals and awards

• $5.88M Awarded in FY 2012

• 92 Active Grants

• 60 new faculty submittals

Target: Increase new submittals by 1/3rd

Communications Objectives:

• Provide targeted information on available funding opportunities

• Provide informational tools and resources to help faculty acquire and manage funded projects

• Recognize and promote faculty research efforts and achievements

Goal #2

Research Compliance Mandate

• As of January, 2012, all NSF funded researchers must complete RCR training:• Faculty researchers• Student researchers

Target: 100% compliance

Communications Objectives

• Develop and update RCR training modules as needed

• Provide additional compliance training and resources via the GSR website

• Provide ongoing communications about policies and regulations

Goal #3

Increase graduate enrollment

• 14 degree programs

• 10% of total student headcount

• 15% increase since 2001

• Current 3% growth rate

Target: 10% increase in enrollment

Communications Objectives

• Develop targeted marketing and informational materials

• Enhance SU’s online presence through website updates, enhancements and social media

• Promote scholarly activities to appropriate local, regional, state and national audiences

Target AudiencesCOMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIES

Audience: Existing Faculty Researchers

Existing Research

ers

Inform faculty on finding and

managing funded projects

Recognize & promote

achievement in research

Supports goals 1 & 2

Modes of Communications to Reach This Audience:

INFORMATION

• Re: Search e-Newsletter

• GSR Website: funding databases

• Pre-Award informational email blasts

• Targeted funding opportunities listed in SU News

• Training & compliance resources

RECOGNITION

• Re: Search Magazine

• Re: Search e-Newsletter

• GSR Website: faculty research spotlight

• Campus events

Audience: New Faculty Researchers

New Research

ers

Inform faculty on finding and

managing funded projects

Communicate the benefits

of conducting research

Supports goals 1 & 2

Modes of Communications to Reach This Audience:

INFORMATION

• Re: Search e-Newsletter

• GSR Website: faculty research

• Targeted email outreach

• Targeted funding opportunities in SU News

• Compliance training & resources

• Department one sheets, brochures, etc.

RECOGNITION

• Re: Search Magazine

• Re: Search e-Newsletter

• GSR Website: faculty research spotlight

• Campus events

Audience: Current Graduate Students

Existing Students

Inform about grad studies at

SU

Inform about student

research opportunities

Supports goal 3

Modes of Communication to Reach This Audience

•GSR Website: • Graduate Studies

• Student Research

• Social Media

•Graduate Student Handbook

• Informational E-mail Correspondence

Audience: Prospective Graduate Students

Prospective

Students

Inform about grad studies

at SU

Inform about student

research opportunities

Supports goal 3

Modes of Communication to Reach This Audience

• New Graduate Studies Brochure

• GSR Website: • Graduate Studies & Student Research pages

• Strategic Use of Social Media

• Graduate Student Handbook

• Informational E-mail Correspondence

• Research magazine

Modes of Communication

Re: Search Magazine

•Circulation: 7,000

•Audiences:• SU community• USM• Peer institutions• Other targeted colleges &

universities• Local, state and regional legislative

bodies• Targeted high schools

Re: Search E-Newsletter

• Promotes the research achievements of faculty & students

• Provides information and updates from GSR

• Distributed electronically to faculty & staff

• Bi-semester publication

• Archived on the GSR website

GSR Website

•Re-organized in 2011 to strengthen GSR web presence

•Recent enhancements:• Reorganization for better navigation

• Research and graduate studies information organized into two separate sections

• Research information organized into faculty and student sections

• Development of a department mission statement

• Dean’s bio and other staff information pages

Training Resources

• Responsible Conduct of Research Training Modules: • 8 web-based modules with a 9th in the works

• Grants 101• PDF or tutorial PowerPoint provides an overview on how to

apply for and manage a grant or sponsored program.

• Best practices for writing a winning proposal• PDF information sheet offers information on how to

prepare a solid proposal.

Centralized CommunicationsCONSISTENT MESSAGING AND EFFECTIVE ANALYSIS

Advertising & PR

PUBLIC RELATIONS

• Press releases

• Article placements

• Media hits

• Website tracking

ADVERTISING

• Print ads

• Advertorials

• Local cable

• Radio

• Program collateral materials

Consolidate efforts across programs

Funded projects growth100% complianceGraduate programs and enrollment growth

Strategic communications will take us where we need to go:

Thank You