Communication is a two-way street

University Communications, formerly known as News and Information, communicates the goals, priorities, news and public information about the University to a wide variety of audiences. We do this by providing a consistent message through media relations, public relations, internal communication, photography and multimedia, and online communication, including social media.

We report to and support Kindra Strupp, assistant vice president for Marketing and Communications, with branding and marketing efforts, and work with deans and department chairs across the colleges to review strategy and raise the profile and awareness of the University and its brand internally and externally.

Communication Management

Our valiant leader is John Farless, director of University Communications. He oversees and guides our team and its strategic vision, as well as leading efforts in planning and implementing crisis communications for the University. He maintains the Editor's Manual to ensure consistent use of the University brand in communications materials including the USI website.

John is available as a resource to individuals and departments across the University to assist with creating a consistent message for the University.

What he needs from you:

• Become familiar with and be a champion of the USI brand and editorial guidelines.
• Update the USI Calendar with events including descriptions.
• Review and follow the University's Media Policy. Share stories of knowledge, success, pride and community that can be used to showcase the University and its programs in a positive light.

Contact: jafarless@usi.edu or 812-228-5157

Internal Communications

Employees are an integral part of the University. Internal communications is meant to engage employees, educate them on the goals and mission of the University, make them aware of resources available to them, disseminate news about the campus community, promote events, and foster personal connections with colleagues through shared stories.

Angie O'Nan, administrative associate, handles the internal communications efforts. She maintains the faculty/staff webpage, and serves as the writer and editor for USI Today and the Weekly Wrap-up.

"I want to know how members of the USI family are contributing to the community and engaging students in real-world, creative endeavors. I want to share the University's history and evolution, introduce people and departments and engage readers with some interactive fun, as well as improving the way we communicate internally and encouraging a sense of comradery and collaboration."

Angie is available to meet and discuss ways to work together to improve internal communication across campus.

What she needs from you:

• Submit all information using the department's online submission forms.
• Feedback. You have ownership in USI Today and its webpage, it is intended for you. Angie's job is to keep you informed and engaged. Tell her how she can help facilitate the flow of information.
• Notify her of events, so she can add these to community calendars and in USI Today's Announcements.
• Email her the names of new hires in your department, as well as promotions, so they may be introduced or congratulated.
• Send her story ideas about faculty and staff contributing to the community or exceling in their job. Make sure you answer the 5 W's(who, what, when, where and why).
• Nominate a colleague for a "Getting To Know You" story or an employee spotlight.
• Send her faculty and staff recognitions, awards or published research to include in Faculty/Staff Achievements.
• Submit photos; include the names of those in the image and the backstory for Campus Snapshots.
• Share tips you've found useful: how to increase productivity, time management techniques, how to be a better supervisor or ways to reduce stress on the job.

Contact: amonan@usi.edu or 812-465-7005. Submit information online

Media Relations and Social Media

Ben Luttrull, media relations specialist, serves as a liaison between the University community and news media. He writes and distributes news releases, pitches stories to media outlets and connects reporters to on-campus experts.

"We encourage people not to talk to media until they've spoken to University Communications first, because we need to track coverage and make sure the message is on point and clear."

Ben also serves as the official voice of the University's primary social media accounts. He sets the University's social media strategy, and provides information to the University on social media news, developments and opportunities. He also provides guidance to the University's subsidiary accounts.

"I want our internal community to be aware of how important social media and the role it plays is. It's the front door of our University in the social media world."

What he needs from you:

• A 30-day advance notice before an event is planned. This allows time to write a release, send to media and follow-up with direct pitches.
• To draft a news release and pitch a story, Ben must have the 5 W's (who, what when, where and why). Be able to explain why the information is useful to the audience and why they should care.  
• If you are hosting a speaker on campus, ask him or her in advance if they are open to speaking to media, and if they have any restrictions related to recording or other coverage of the event.
• If media contact you directly, or if you have something to relay to media, notify Ben. Follow the guidelines outlined in the Media Policy.
• Be willing to speak with media or know who in your department is willing to. If you are uncertain, Ben can walk you through the process.
• Be familiar with the Social Media Guidelines for the University.
• If you manage social media accounts for any campus departments or groups, join the Social Media Administrators Group.

Ben is always available to help with media relations and social media questions and strategy.

Contact: bluttrull@usi.edu, USIMedia@usi.edu or 812-461-5259

Publications

Connie Stambush, editor/senior writer, produces two annual alumni magazines, and oversees and collaborates with key players in the four colleges on their college newsletters, which feature news, updates and other information.

"The stories in the magazine showcase the University's dedication to scholarly excellence, community collaboration, faculty academic rigor and devotion to teaching, alumni successes achieved as a result of their USI education, current student perspectives and the University's overall advancements."

What she needs from you:

• Great stories - send ideas as they occur to you. Include the 5 W's (who, what, when, where and why). Submit stories online or at USI.editor@usi.edu.

Magazine and newsletter planning layout is a long process. Once the writing and editing is complete, there's another six to eight weeks of production time. Last minute items cannot be included. Features are often planned four to five months in advance.

• Send names of faculty, students and accomplishments to spotlight in the magazine and newsletters, and tell her why they should be featured.

Contact: clstambush@usi.edu USI.editor@usi.edu or 812-465-7020. Submit Story Ideas

Photography and Multimedia

Photography and Multimedia is another unit within University Communications and supports much of the work described above. We are planning a separate feature about their work at a later date.

Thank you for continuing to work with University Communications to tell the USI story. Without each of you, there would be no story!