As SUNY New Paltz ambassadors, we all play a role in building pride in our community. One way we can share all of the great things happening at New Paltz is through storytelling across our various online and print platforms.
Whether you’re trying to get the word out about an event on campus, alumni success story, student achievement or faculty research, this guide is designed to help members of our community craft and share stories that remind our internal and external audiences of the inspiring things that are happening here at New Paltz.
The New Paltz story is a collective representation of the consistent themes that set our institution apart from other colleges and universities.
We tell the New Paltz story by showcasing the many successes and diverse characteristics of people and departments across the institution. We publish on various digital and print platforms.
Our Brand Attributes help differentiate New Paltz and offer clear themes for what stories we tell:
A Degree... and an Education
New Paltz students earn a degree that opens doors to lifelong career opportunities. With that degree comes an education – a true preparation that goes beyond the piece of paper.
Example: More than 70 students showcase capstone projects at largest Engineering Design EXPO yet
Engagement through impassioned Teaching
The love of learning and a lifelong passion for intellectual and professional growth come from the experiences a student has in close collaboration with an outstanding faculty.
Example: Student Research Symposium: 100+ students from 16 majors present original scholarship
Creative Environment of Discovery
The learning atmosphere at New Paltz has an air of imaginative inquiry that bridges all academic endeavors in and out of the classroom.
Example: Evolutionary Studies series asks: Why does the sunlight in Wooster Hall matter?
A Location for Life
SUNY New Paltz is located in a dynamic community in a stunning natural setting, surrounded by the history and culture of the American story and 90 minutes from New York City.
Example: “A must-visit:” New Paltz at #3 on Buzzfeed “Best Small Towns in America” list
Come As You Are
New Paltz warmly welcomes students of diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and ambitions.
Example: Music as Medicine: The China Connection at SUNY New Paltz
Modern Spaces
Our campus provides students, faculty and community members with access to cutting-edge technological equipment housed in contemporary, comfortable buildings.
Example: SUNY New Paltz cuts ribbon on new Engineering Innovation Hub
Engagement on Campus and in the Community
SUNY New Paltz encourages students, faculty and staff to get out and make positive contributions through service, volunteer work and other activities.
Example: Hundreds of student volunteers help community agencies on Make a Difference Day
New Paltz is a creative, diverse, challenging and supportive learning environment, with an uncommonly wide array of high-quality departments and majors. As a nationally-ranked public university, New Paltz is widely recognized as one of the best value universities in the nation.
Storytelling is a great way to publicize the hard work and achievements of students, faculty and alumni, and to bolster a sense of New Paltz pride across campus and beyond.
The Office of Communication and Marketing is here to help you share the New Paltz story through its various communication vehicles including print, web, video, photography, media relations, internal communication and alumni publications, social media, marketing and advertising.
If you have a story in mind you can fill out a news or event request at my.newpaltz.edu.
Need more guidance?
Your OCM liaison is here to help guide you. The Liaison Model allows the Office of Communication & Marketing to gain deeper knowledge of unit programs and people and in turn, units gain better understanding of the tools and expertise available to tell their stories.
The Office of Communication & Marketing is at the center of the effort to get the word out about SUNY New Paltz, its people and its programs to a variety of audiences.
Our team of professionals has expertise in writing, editing, media relations, social media, photography, and videography, who strive for clarity, consistency and timeliness as we share information about campus news and events.
We also use a variety of digital and traditional platforms to tell the New Paltz story, and can guide you to find the appropriate platform(s) to reach your intended audiences. Some options include:
The News Hub is updated almost daily with interesting stories from around campus, which are also collected in a weekly newsletter sent to on-campus audiences.
Suggest a story for the News Hub by using the “Submit News” tool on my.newpaltz.edu under “Communication & Marketing,” or by talking to your OCM liaison.
New Paltz Magazine & Connect e-Newsletter
Our bi-annual Alumni Magazine and monthly Connect e-newsletter highlight stories of interest to graduates from throughout the University’s history.
If you have an idea for an alumni story, or if you have updates about alumni to share for our Class Notes feature, please let us know at magazine@newpaltz.edu, or submit story pitches using this form: www.newpaltz.edu/magazine-fall-2018/alumniform.html.
Our Marketing and Social Media Manager works with units across campus to plan campaigns on several social media platforms. We also have a team of trained student ambassadors to help their peers stay connected and informed about what’s happening on campus.
Check out our “Best Practices” guide to Social Media for more information.
Merit
Merit is a web-based platform that allows the University to congratulate students on remarkable achievements in and out of the classroom, and makes it easy for students to share these shout-outs within their own social networks.
Please use this form to let us know about exceptional student achievements in your area of campus.
Press Releases
In some cases, major institutional news will call for a press release to our network of regional and national media contacts. A successful news release requires planning in advance, early drafting and multiple revisions.
Click here to learn more about the University’s media relations policy.
To begin a conversation about crafting and distributing a press release, please contact Director of Communication Melissa Kaczmarek at kaczmarm@newpaltz.edu.
The Office of Communication & Marketing is happy to provide additional resources and materials to support your work as an ambassador of the University’s story.
Use these links for immediate access to some of the storytelling services we can offer:
If you still have questions, we’d love to have a conversation with you. Contact us to set up a consultation today:
Office of Communication & Marketing
Haggerty Administration Building, 4th Floor
(845) 257-3245
communication@newpaltz.edu
