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National Graduate Student Appreciation Week as a Marketing Tool Andrea Golato, Dean & Paula S. Williamson, Associate Dean The Graduate College, Texas State University • When is it? • April 7-13, 2014 • Which Off-Campus Units are Partners? • Chamber of Commerce • Governor’s Office • Individual Companies as Sponsors • Local Businesses • Mayor’s Office (Mayor Proclamation) • Tenants Union • What Materials are Useful? • Create text that can be used for soliciting donations / discounts • Create a display that vendors can put in windows • Create a website that lists all activities • Maintain a list of sponsors and donors – display their logos on the website • Create a press release text • Have photographer on hand during the week • Advertise early and continuously • Use social media to advertise events • Provide give-aways and door-prizes to graduate students attending events Graphics printed with permission from: Boston College, The University of Oklahoma, Fordham University, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Texas State University • What is it? • Created in 1993 by the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students • Since then celebrated widely by Graduate Colleges across the United States • Supports and appreciates graduate and professional students • Celebrates the contributions, impact, and value of graduate and professional students • Logo / Graphic for Your Event? • Campus Design Contest • Work with University Marketing • Hire design student or involve students in a design course • Use the graphic on website and all other promotional materials • Why do it? • Brings visibility to graduate education • Visibility helps with recruitment and donations • Involves the entire campus community • Allows for networking with units across campus • It is fun for students and organizers! • What Types of Activities? • Social Events • Graduate student socials • Wine and cheese reception • Films of interest to students • Receptions for students on fellowships and donors who funded such fellowships • Sports- and wellness activities • Recreational activities for students and families • Academic Events • Lectures • Research conference • 3MT competition • Awards ceremony • Professional Development Activities • Career exploration workshops • Brownbags • Fellowship and grantsmanshipworkshops • Financial literacy workshops • Work-life balance workshops • Stress management sessions • Discounts: • Campus food vendors • Local coffee shops • Local attraction (for students and their families) • Local merchants • Gift certificates / coupons / gifts as door prizes at events • Which On-Campus Units are Partners? • Alumni Association • Career Services Center • Community Relations Office • Counseling Center • Dean of Students Office • Equity and Access Office • Financial Aid Office • Housing Office • International Student Office • Library • Recreational Centers • Provost’s / President’s Office • Sponsored Programs Office • Student Affairs Office • Student Government • University Advancement • University Marketing / Communications Officer / News Services • Wellness Center • Writing Center • How to do it? • Start planning early – minimally a semester before • Check out the website of the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students for helpful tips on organizing a successful appreciation week • Get buy-in from university administration • Designate an assistant or associate dean as the lead • Work on graphic / logo first • Reserve many rooms across campus to hold for potential events by your office and those of participating units (don’t forget to release unneeded rooms) • Contact on-campus and off-campus partners, provide ideas for what they may want to do • Create a master plan of the week and note all events – don’t create competition for your own events • Create a website for the event • Maintain a list of contributors and sponsors and include them on your website • Attend the events • After the event, write thank-you-notes. Try to get commitment for the following year! Contact information Andrea Golato: agolato@txtste.edu Paula S. Williamson: pw04@txstate.edu
