Tableof

Table ofContents
Contents

4 Meet NewEra
5 Executive Summary
6 Audiences
7 Situation Analysis
8 SWOT Analysis
10 Key Message Platform
11 Research Method
12 Key Insights
14 Goals, Objectives & Tactics
25 Appendix:
A. Budget
B. Timeline
C. E-Mail Blast
D. Campus Representative Sign-Up
E. SoC Snapchat Filter
F. Sample COM Week Table
G. Sample COM Week E-Mail Sign-Up
H. Vidette Testimonial Articles
I. PR Package Contact List
J. PR Pamphlet Recipient List
K. Vidette Testimonial Articles
LetterofofContents
Table Transmittal
November 21, 2019
School of Communication
304 S. University Street
Normal, IL 61761

Dear Ms. Chupp,

The NewEra Public Relations team would like to thank you for considering our firm to represent
the School of Communication. Throughout this book, you will find the layout for the School
of Communication campaign. During the first meeting, you emphasized how the School of
Communication wants to increase enrollment rates among the four different departments, so this
plan was based off of that request. The proposed campaign includes key insights from research,
objectives, strategies, and tactics developed by NewEra Public Relations based on a $5,000 budget
to increase the School of Communication enrollment rate.

The intention of this campaign is to utilize events, social media, and word of mouth strategies to
reach the target demographics as well as help reach goals for the campaign. In the pages to follow,
information regarding how each objective should be carried out and details about the tactics
involved is displayed.

Based on the extensive research, this plan will help you achieve higher enrollment rates for the
School of Communication. We look forward to presenting our ideas in person on November 21,
2019 at Illinois State University, Fell Room 280.

Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding any questions or concerns regarding our book at
Haley Wolfe’s e-mail which is listed below.

Sincerely,

NewEra Public Relations

hcwolfe@ilstu.edu

Maria Galuppo Jeremy Rodgers Brianna Hebior

Annie Crawford Haley Wolfe Mary Ann Rasmussen

 NewEra
Table Team
of Contents
Digital Communications Director

Haley Wolfe

Jeremy Rodgers
Account Manager
Account Manager

Annie Crawford

Maria Galuppo
Account Manager

Public Relations Specialist

Brianna Hebior

Mary Ann Rasmussen

Public Relations Specialist
 Executive
stnetnoCSummary
fo elbaT

The overarching goal for this campaign is to increase awareness and promotion of all
majors offered by the School of Communication in order to increase enrollment of incoming
freshmen, transfer students, and major transfers within Illinois State University.

The College of Business, Education, and Mennonite College of Nursing are all doing
well in terms of enrollment, why isn’t the School of Communication? The SoC needs an
established University-wide reputation. People can’t know a major within the SoC is right for
them if they don’t even know what the SoC has to offer. The number of students enrolled in
the SoC has dropped by 100+ individuals within the past few years, so we did some research to
find out what could peak different target audiences interest in the SoC.

We have taken a distinctive route with our tactics and objectives, barely including any
social media work. Many people would disagree with this strategy due to how much our world
revolves around social media nowadays. We have analytically precise and individual data to
support all of our techniques to show how our plan will work once in action.

New Era will be using media relations, influencer relations, and research to raise
awareness and raise enrollment numbers within the SoC. From PR packages being sent to top
community colleges from which a majority of our transfer populations come from, to email
blasts, we are implementing tactics that are easy to execute and highly credible. Our tactics
also don’t require any large reallocation of resources, which a full social plan would.

We carefully selected our tactics to be carried out efficiently and the cost will be
relatively minimal. Cost effectiveness enables finances to be used elsewhere. Efforts to
increase SoC enrollment, as well as awareness having been planned out carefully to ensure
maximum and plentiful results.

Our team has worked diligently to create a strategy of status that uses eccentric tactics
working persistently towards increasing enrollment. We truly value the reputation of the SoC.
We are energetic and passionate about the School of Communication and want to refute the
many stereotypes that people tend to have about communications majors.

5
 Table of Contents
Audiences

Target Audiences

Illinois State Major

Transfer Students

High School
Seniors

External Transfer
Students

6
 sSituation
tnetnoCAnalysis
fo elbaT
The School of Communication
offers a diverse selection of
prestigious majors designed to
enhance knowledge and prepare
students for careers in their
selected field. The SoC majors
include: Journalism, Public
Relations, Mass Media and
Communication Studies.The SoC
offers many career preparation
assets such as clubs, internships,
the SMACC Lab, CIC, WZND
radio station, and The Vidette In 2014, the peak SoC enrollment
newspaper. numbers were at 981 students,
while the numbers in 2019 are
currently at 848. NewEra PR has
a goal to raise those numbers
back to the peak amount and to
increase awareness of the School
of Communication to those who
overlook it. We also would like
to show students the fun and
exciting aspects of being a student
in the School of Communication,
and the many potential successes
that come with enrolling.

7
 TableSWOT
of Contents
Analysis
  Aspects
Strengths School of Communication offers a
radio station, TV station, and PRSSA.
Professors in the School of
Communications are dedicated to
undergraduate students.
Strong connections to Chicago and St.
Louis.
Students that are first applying
to college have no minimum
GPA requirements and can be
directly admitted into the School
of Communication if they apply.
Transfer students are required to have
a minimum of a 2.7 GPA. On-campus
major transfers are required to have a
minimum of a 2.0 GPA.
Weaknesses Not as understood as other
majors such as business, nursing and
education majors at Illinois State.
There is a standing reputation that the
School of Communication only offers
easy majors.
Generally, people are not educated in
how applicable communication (in all
aspects) is to our everyday lives, the
workforce and continuing education.
8
Implications
Students will have opportunities
for world experience while they
learn. Radio station and TV station
offer jobs for students. PRSSA gives
students the chance to go on agency
tours and listen to different speakers.
Professors focus their time and
efforts into making sure that
students are prepared and excited for
their futures.
 
Most students will continue their
career path by gravitating towards
major cities. It is important to the
School of Communication that they
give their students great connections
to find their careers.
The School of Communication is not
extremely difficult to get into.
Department only offers easy majors
Illinois State students have the
perception that students in the
School of Communication are not as
smart as others, and will potentially
make less money in a career than
other students.
Many people may think
communications is a narrow and
one-dimensional field of study.
Possible Actions
Reach out to radio station and TV
station to record an advertisement that
will help to get the word out about the
School of Communication to potential
major transfers.
Show incoming students that the
School of Communication will provide
them with top-notch education
experiences by having current students
talk to incoming students about the
close relationships they have built with
their professors.
Students will have a solid chance at
finding a job directly after graduation
in an area that they are interested in.
Students that are looking to join the
major should not have extensive
grade barriers that are holding them
back from getting into the School of
Communication.
Break down this stigma and show
students the career possibilities that
they could have in the future.
Show incoming and transferring
students testimonials of current
School of Communication students
and graduates, in order to display
real students love for the School of
Communication and their success
stories.
Target publics that do not necessarily
value communications as important
in their potential area of study, but
wish to pursue fields where effective
communication is imminent
 SWOT Analysis
stnetnoC fo elbaT
Aspects
Opportunities Generally, incoming freshman
  students are not educated well
enough how applicable all areas of
communication are to everyday
life, the workforce and continuing
education.
A degree in communications
from an esteemed and respected
university is valuable to
community college transfer
students when they are looked at
by prospective jobs. 
In-major transfers wish to readily
succeed into their new major.
Threats The national perception is
that people have a diminished
perspective on their ability to
communicate effectively, thus
affecting their decision to not go
into the communications field.
People may not see the value
in communicating effectively
and believing that it will not
afford them well-endowed job
opportunities post-graduation.
Described above are the Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that the School of
Communication will confront. This information was found through New Era’s primary and
secondary research tactics. The SWOT analysis demonstrates areas for growth, concerns, and
successes that the School of Communication should be aware of.
Implications Possible Actions
Freshman students may think Improve marketing toward
communications is a narrow and incoming freshman students
one-dimensional field of study. that do not necessarily value
communications as important in
their potential area of study, but
wish to pursue fields where effective
communication is imminent.
Prospective community college Advertise to community college
students should know that students who wish to transfer to a
they have access to a host of 4 year university to readily prepare
resources  if accepted into the themselves for the workforce post-
school of communications.  graduation.
In-major transfers should Develop testimonials from students
know that the School of that have transferred from other
Communications encourages majors. 
and endorses kinship, as well
as assisting them representing
themselves in the best way
possible.
If people do not see themselves Attempt to improve national
as good communicators, they perceptions about communications
will not want to pursue a career majors by creating a promotional
(or major) in the School of video featuring current
Communications. communications students. 
People may look at the Inform publics about job and
Communications major as being networking opportunities
“easy,” when in reality there is available to them if they chose to
a lot of work and dedication become a part of the School of
going into this respectable field Communications.
of work.
9
 Table of Contents
Key Message Platform

Key Message Platform
There is a lot of opportunity to build a future career here in the School of Communication.
In addition, there are many resources the School of Communication has to offer
including seasoned professors, PRSSA, networking, internships, TV-10, and WZND. We
want people to understand that the misconceptions of the School of Communication
are inaccurate. There are a lot of opportunities within this school. There are different
connections to Chicago and St. Louis. Along with all of these positive attributions, the
School of Communication has teachers that are dedicated to their students.

Slogan
Communication, the language of success.

Mission Statement
Our mission is to enhance the State of Illinois’ societal and economic conditions by
providing comprehensive undergraduate and graduate degrees, research, and service
initiatives that are at the cutting edge of theory and translate into viable applications.

Vision Statement
To have a plentiful incoming class, for years to come.

10
 stnKey
etnMessages
oC fo elbaT

SoC students are overall

These majors are often
high spirited students. With
perceived as being easy,
a SoC degree our students
however, we want the target
are setting themselves up to
audiences to know that
be happy with their future
there is a certain work ethic
career paths in the industry
required to succeed in the
that they are interested and
SoC majors.
excited about.

NewEra wants the

potential applicants to
know that they can have
a successful future with a
SoC degree.

We believe with the

With a SoC degree, future
careers can be involved
in many industries.
Communication skills are
essential for any career
path.
different resources offered
that the students have a
chance to gain real world
experience that will ensure
success in the workforce
post-graduation.

11
 sResearch
tnetnoCMethod
fo elbaT
Research Questions
What other schools are in What stereotypes exist about the
R1 direct competition with
Illinois State?
R4 School of Communication on
Illinois State’s campus?

What other majors are in What are the main community

R2 direct competition with the R5 colleges that transfer students are
School of Communication? applying from?

Why are incoming students Does COM Week have an impact

R3 applying for the majors that R6 on School of Communication

applicants?
they are?

Research Gathering
Primary Research
We administered two surveys with
a total of 48 survey recipients. One
for transfer students at Illinois State
Unviersity, the other was given to
School of Communication students
about how they enjoy the speicifc
major they are in.
Secondary Research
We used articles from the Vidette
detailing enrollment rates, and SoC
budget and revenue information to
better gauge that promotion efforts
are being appropriately funded.

12
 sResearch
tnetnoCResults
fo elbaT
Schools also considered when applying to Illinois State:

14.5% 8.3% 12.5% 27%

(Only considered ISU)

Majors of majority of transfer students:

27% 18.7%

12.5% of survey takers said they 95.8% of survey takers have

have heard people say that the not attended COM Week.
SoC encompasses easy majors.

32% of our current

77.1% of Illinois State transfer
undergraduate population in
students come from community
the SoC are transfer students.
colleges throughout Illinois.

13
 TableKey Insights
of Contents
Students apply for
majors with increased
likelihood of career
positions directly after COM Week has little
graduation. effect on those in
majors outside of
the SoC and transfer
students.

The SoC has a

reputation of having
majors that are easy.
14
Students are highly
interested in getting
career experience
opportunities from
the school that they
apply to.
Goals and
Table of Objectives
Contents
The overarching goal for this campaign is to increase awareness and
promotion of all majors offered by the School of Communication in order
to increase enrollment of high school seniors, transfer students, and major
transfers within Illinois State University.

Objectives
Increase high school seniors’
awareness of the School of
Communication at Illinois
State by 11% of students that Increase the amount of
show potential interest in awareness and promotion
specific SoC majors by August provided for students that are
1st, 2020. transferring from community
colleges to Illinois State
University by 7% by August
Grow the enrollment with 1st, 2020.
major transfers to balance all
prospective groups (Incoming
freshmen and external school
transfers) within Illinois State
University by 50% of students
by August 1st, 2020.

15
 Objective
Table One
of Contents

Increase high school seniors’ awareness of the School of

Communication at Illinois State by 21% of students that show
potential interest in specific SoC majors by August 1st, 2020.

BenchMark Rationale Strategy

An increased amount of Online e-mail straegy, as well
High school seniors that
high school seniors must as an advertising strategy.
enroll to the School of
be aware of the School of
Communication prior to
Communication and the
taking any classes at Illinois
majors offered by 21% to
State are approximately 165
ensure an increase potential
students.
amount of applicants to 200
students..

Tactics
E-mail Blast
An e-mail sent out to all Illinois State
students, voicing the amazing attributes that
the School of Communication has to offer.
Attatched to the e-mail will be a promotional
video with testimonials from current SoC
students.
Promotional Video
Promotional video featuring School
of Communication students and their
testimonials. These will be sent out with the
e-mail blast and featured on the School of
Communication’s website.

16
 stneTactic
tnoC fo elbaT
E-Mail Blast

The promotional e-mail blast will be sent from the official

School of Communication e-mail account. It will be sent
out once in the spring semester on April 1st, prior to May
1st (the decision day for high school seniors).

Cost
The cost will come from the
ACT and SAT student lists
that the SoC will purchase.
To purchase the students
information, ACT and SAT
generally charge $0.42 per
student.

For example, see Appendix C on page

17
 Table ofTactic
Contents
Promotional Video

Promotional video featuring School of Communication

students and positive experiences they have had while
being declared to their major. These will be sent out
with the e-mail blast and featured on the School of
Communication’s website. There will be no cost for this
tactic. The video will be sent out with the e-mail blast on
April 1st, 2020.

Cost
The video itself will not
cost any money. Because
the video is attached to the
e-mail, the promotional
video will also use the
same list of names that the
e-mail blast will use.

Video presented during pitch, and can be accessed on YouTube.

18
 Objective
tnetnoC fTwo
sObjective Two
o elbaT

Increase the amount of awareness and promotion

provided for students that are transferring from
community colleges to Illinois State University by 7%.

BenchMark Rationale Strategy

Transfer student enrollment
is currently 32% of the
population of the School of
Communication.
The School of Word of mouth strategy, as
Communication currently well as a Public Relations
prefers a 40% enrollment rate strategy.
of transfer students therefore
awareness must increase by
7% so the SoC achieves a
balanced percentage.

Tactics
Campus Rep. Program
Campus Representatives from Communications
majors (in collaboration with Transfer Redbirds
RSO/University Program Board)
PR Packages
Promotional packages will be sent to an
opinion leader from the top 10 community
colleges that the School of Communication
receives transcripts and application from. The
opinion leaders will be people that students
from these community colleges are likely
to talk to frequently and could potentially
influence students to transfer to the School
of Communication at Illinois State. The PR
boxes will contain SoC materials.

19
 Table ofTactic
Contents

Campus Representative Program

The all-new campus representatives program (in
collaboration with the University Program Board) enables
transfer students to have the smoothest transition possible
into their appropriate communications major. Through
weekly meetings and seminars, students will be able to
further their knowledge on the many opportunities for
growth that will be afforded to them, along with assistance
in advising and coursework. Non-transfer students will be
able to apply for the campus representative position shortly
before Fall 2020 semester begins at ISU.

Cost
Campus Rep. Program will
not require any money.
It will, however, require
time from SoC interns and
professors, in order to meet
with students.

For more information, see Appendix D on page .

20
 stneTactic
tnoC fo elbaT

Promotional Packages
Promotional packages will be sent to an influential staff
members from the top 10 community colleges that the School
of Communication receives transcripts and application from.
We will also send SoC folders with major information and a
pen. The opinion leaders will be people that students from
these community colleges are likely to talk to frequently and
could potentially influence students to transfer to the School
of Communication at Illinois State. The PR boxes will contain
SoC materials listed below.

The PR Packages will include:

• New Illinois State SoC Pennant
(shown in Appendix E)
• SoC Bag
• SoC Cup
• SoC Pen
Cost • A folder containing specific
Costs for PR packages will
major information
come from shipping, tax • A SoC advisor business card
and custom orders for the
SoC promotional materials.

For more information, see Appendices H, I & J.

21
 Objective Three

Grow the enrollment with major transfers to balance all

prospective groups (high school seniors and external school
transfers) within Illinois State University by 41% of students by
August 1st, 2020.

BenchMark Rationale Strategy

The School of
Communication currently
takes anywhere from 70-90
major transfers annually.
Major transfers are important to Word of mouth strategy,
increase interactions with because as well as an advertising
they are open to opportunities at strategy.
Illinois State. Ideally, the School
of Communication would like to
balance all prospective groups. To
do this, we must increase major
transfers to the SoC by 41% to
meet a balanced number of 120
students enrolled.

Tactics
COM Week
We plan to harness the power of COM Week
by using the week to help recruit students. We
have created a Snapchat geofilter for the event,
a redesigned table, pennants to hand out, and a
sign-up sheet for our Campus Representatives
Program.
Vidette Testimonials
We have interviewed four School of
Communication students about their
experiences and successes that have come
from having a major within the SoC. We
have written short blurbs that will be
featured within the Vidette once a month for
four months

22
 Tactic

Harnessing the Power of COM Week

COM Week is an opportune place for students to network,
learn and grow through hearing others’ professional
experiences. During COM Week, we will set up an attractive
SoC table in front of Fell Hall. At the table, there will be
SoC students and faculty volunteers to talk about the majors
with those who are interested as well as a sign-up sheet to
be informed on SoC updates such as application dates and
upcoming events. There will also be promotional materials
for potential major transfers to keep.

Cost
We will need money for the
promotional materials that
are set out on the table, and
for food to draw students
towards the table. We will
also need money for the SoC
Snapchat filter.

For more information, see Appendices E, F & G.

23
 TacticThree
Objective

Vidette Testimonial Articles

Testimonials feature general information about the School of
Communication and one major within the SoC per edition
with an short feature in it, giving the whole University a
better understanding of what the SoC can offer. This will peak
interest in students currently declared, who are considering
changing their major or offer a home for students who are still
undeclared.

Cost
There will be no costs
required for this tactic
because the stories are feature
stories. These are ran for free For more information, see Appendix K.
at the Vidette.

24
 School of Communication Projected Budget (Monthly)
Tactic Items Accountablility Time Needed Price Per Unit Item Source Amount Needed Total Price
Mug Supervisor ** $13.56 Zazzle 10 $135.60
Bag Supervisor ** $5.00 Custom Earth Promos 10 $50.00
Pamphlet Supervisor ** $0.00 print 10 $0.00
Pamphlet Envelope/Shipping Supervisor ** $3.84 Post Office 10 $38.40
Business Cards Intern ** $0.00 Career Center 10 $0.00
Pen Supervisor ** $4.00 Zazzle 10 $45.10
School of Comm Pennant Supervisor ** $0.85 4imprint.com 10 $8.50
Personalized Letter Supervisor 1 hr $0.00 existing stock 10 $0.00
Filler Paper Intern ** N/A Bags & Bows 800 Sheets $57.09
Boxes Intern ** $3.89 Post Office 10 $38.90
Budget

PR Box Box Shipping Supervisor 1-2 days $7.85 Post Office 10 $78.50
Total Cost $452.09
Pamphlet Supervisor ** $0.00 print 50 $0.00
Pens Supervisor ** $4.00 Zazzle 50 $240.00
Appendix A

Personalized Letter Supervisor 1 hr $0.00 existing stock 50 $0.00

Pamphlet Send out Envelope/ Shipping Supervisor 1-2 Days $3.84 Post Office 50 $192.00
Total Cost $432.00
UPB President Meeting Supervisor 1 hr $0.00 N/A N/A $0.00
Interview for Campus Rep Internship Supervisor 30 min per person $0.00 N/A N/A $0.00
Campus Rep Progam Send out Campus Rep Sheets Intern ** $0.00 print N/A $0.00

Community College Transfers

 Total Cost $0.00
Table Setup/Work Intern 3 hr, 5 Days,1 Wk $0.00 existing stock 1 $0.00
School of Comm Pennant Supervisor ** $0.85 4impirint.com 500 $425.00
Pamphlet Supervisor ** $0.00 existing stock 200 $0.00
Snapchat Filter Intern 5 days $215.00 Snapchat.com 1 $252.00
Balloons Intern ** $1.00 Dollar Tree 6 $8.00
Food (Donuts/Bagels) Intern ** N/A Dunkin Donuts N/A $200.00
Comm Week Table Cloth Intern ** $0.00 existing stock 1 $0.00
Total Cost $885.00
Space Within the Paper Supervisor ** $0.00 Vidette 1 per month $0.00
Testimonials Intern 2 hours $0.00 ISU Students 3+ per month $0.00
Vidette Writing Intern 2 Hours $0.00 ** N/A $0.00

Major Transfers
Total Cost $0.00
ACT/SAT Score Purchasing Supervisor 1/2 hr N/A ACT/SAT Website N/A $1,200.00
Appendix

Recruiting Measures Email Blast Supervisor 1 hr $0.00 N/A N/A $0.00

Budget Continued

Total Cost $1,200.00

A

Camera Intern ** $0.00 existing stock 1 $0.00

Filming Students Intern 1 hr $0.00 student needed 4 students $0.00
Promotional Video Video Editing Supervisor 3 hrs $0.00 N/A N/A $0.00

High School Students

Total Cost $0.00
Objective Three

GRAND TOTAL: $2,970.00

 Timeline 2020 February March April May June July

Objective 1: Increase Freshman

Class awareness of School of
Communication by 9% of
students that show potential
interest in the different School
of Communication majors.

Tactic 1: Email Blast

Step A: Send email blast to high
school senior's
Tactic 2: Promotional Video
Step A: Attach video to email
and post on SoC website

Objective 2: Increase the

amount of awareness and
promotion provided for the
students that are transferring
Timeline

from community colleges to

Illinois State University by 7%.

Tactic 1: RSO Group set up

Appendix B

Step A: Mtg with UPB Pres.

Step B: Interview campus reps.

Step C: Select campus reps.

Step D: Sign up sheets

distributed

Step E: COM Week

Step F: Informational Mtg

Step G: Sign up closes

 Tactic 2: PR Package
Step A: PR Boxes assembled
Step B: PR Boxes sent out
Objective 3: Grow the
enrollment with major
transfers to balance all
prospective groups (high
school seniors and external
school transfers)within
Illinois State University by
50% of students by Fall
2020.
Tactic 1: Vidette Articles
Timeline Continued
Appendix B

Step A: Every month a new

article will be released
Tactic 2: COM Week
Objective Three

Step A: Prepare all supplies

for COM Week
Step B: COM Week
 Appendix C

Dear Prospective Student,

Pursuing your undergraduate degree is both exciting and daunting! Illinois State University
welcomes you to start exploring our campus and the opportunities that we offer to you.

One of the amazing programs that our institution offers is the School of Communication. The
SoC provides 4 different major departments including journalism, public relations, radio,
television production, interactive media, media management, interpersonal communica-
tion, organizational and leadership communication, and political communication.

Along with these different majors and classes that are offered the SoC is known for the many
different clubs and organizations that stem from our program. Each of these organizations pro-
vide students with real work experiences that help them grow academically and personally.

The staff in the SoC is extremely proactive in the growth of their students. These teachers not
only provide help in the classroom, but they encourage us to reach out to different connec-
tions that they and past SoC students have created in Chicago and St. Louis. Along with these
many different opportunities that come from the SoC, incoming freshman students have no
GPA requirement to become enrolled in the program. High school seniors are encouraged to
get further involved and reach out to the SoC if they have any questions regarding their
future as a RedBird.

Apply today to the School of Communication here, https://communication.illinoisstate.edu/un-

dergrad/applyNow/ we’d love to have you!

Please enjoy this video created by students of the SoC, as they discuss their experience over the
past four years of education at Illinois State University.
Sincerely,

The School of Communication

29
 AppendixThree
Objective D

Campus Representatives Program Sign-up Sheet

Did you know that nearly half of the Illinois State student body is composed of transfer
students?

The all-new transfer campus representatives programs enables transfer students to have the
smoothest transition possible into their appropriate communications major. Providing guidance and
mentorship to students, we wish to ultimately integrate transfer students into their desired career fields
as soon as possible. We understand that transitioning from another school and major can be a tedious
process and we want to make it easier for students to not only fully immerse themselves in the full ISU
experience, but enjoy tremendous successes in their coursework.

Sponsored by the Transfer Redbirds RSO, campus representatives will act as a liaison
for transfer students in communications majors. Through weekly meetings and seminars, students
will be able to gain more knowledge about the communications major(s) and speak with seasoned
professors about the many opportunities for growth that will be afforded to them during their time at
ISU. Students will also be encouraged to attend weekly meetings with other transfer students that may
share similar courses and participation in other RSO’s (such as PRSSA).

Students will be able to apply for the Transfer Campus Representative position shortly before
Fall 2020 semester begins at ISU. The position will be available as an unpaid internship and students
have the option to have the position count for class credit. The only eligibility requirement for the
Campus Rep position is that the student must be a senior on track with current course load in
any communications major.

Please fill out the information below to sign up for the campus representatives program.
The deadline to submit the form is July 15, 2020.

Name: ____________________ Major: __________________

Email: ___________________ Phone: __________________

30
 Appendix E
Sample SnapChat Filter

31
 Appendix F
Objective Three
Sample COM Week Table

COM WEEK
sign up

32
 Appendix G

Sample COM E-Mail Sign Up

Name E-Mail Current Major

33
 Appendix
Objective H
Three
PR Package Contact List
Heartland Community College McHenry County College

1 Rachel Cook
Associate Director, Advisement &
Transfer Coordinator
6 Jay Geller
Communication Studies Department
Chair
(309) 268-8060 (815) 455-8746
rachel.cook@heartland.edu jgeller@mchenry.edu

College of DuPage College of Lake County

2 Ami Chambers
Community Relations Coordinator
(630) 942-3823
chambersa@cod.edu
7 Sue Stock
Dean of Counseling, Advising and Transfers
(847) 543-2359
sstock@clcillinois.edu

Joliet Junior College Harold Washington College

3 Kelly Rohder Tonelli

Executive Director of Communications
and Media Coordinator
8 Ellen Goldberg
Director of Transfers
(312) 553-5778
(815) 280-2915 egoldberg1@ccc.edu
krohder@jjc.edu

Illinois Central College Danville Area Community College

4 Kari Schimmel
Interim Dean of Arts and
Communication
9 Isela Rangel
Academic Advisor
(217) 443-8748
(309) 694-5113 irangel@dacc.edu
kari.schimmel@icc.edu

Parkland College Lincoln Land Community College

Gailyn Draper
5 Julie Weishar
Faculty Chair, Fine & Applied Arts
(217) 351-2404
10 Student Services Admin. Assistant to the VP
(217) 786-2213
jweishar@parkland.edu gailyn.draper@llcc.edu

34
 Appendix I
PR Pamphlet Recipient List
• Harper College
• Oakton Community College
• Waubonsee Community College
• Elgin Community College
• Lewis & Clark Community College
• Illinois Valley Community College
• Moraine Valley Community College
• Carl Sandburg College
• John Wood Community College
• Rock Valley College
• Rend Lake College
• Kaskaskia College
• Lincoln Trail College
• Triton College
• Sauk Valley Community College
• South Suburban College
• Morton College
• Olney Central College
• Black Hawk College
• Kankakee Community College
• Kishwaukee College
• Frontier Community College
• Wabash Valley College
• City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright
College
• Richland Community College
• Spoon River College
• Shawnee Community College
• John A Logan College
• Highland Community College
• Southwestern Illinois College
• City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College
• Southeastern Illinois College
• City Colleges of Chicago - Truman College
• Prairie State College
• City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J. Daley
College
• City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College
• City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King
College
• Capital Area of Practical Nursing
• Beck Area Career Center - Red Bud
• Coyne College
• Fox College
• Gem City College
• Kendall College
• Midstate College
• Rasmussen College-Illinois
• Saint Augustine College
• Taylor Business Institute
• Madison Media Institute-Rockford Career
College
• Midwestern Career College
• Vaterott College-Quincy
35
 Appendix J
Objective Three

36
 Appendix K
Vidette Testimonial Articles
Public Relations
Prior to changing my major to public relations, I was an accounting major. I spent my freshman year mainly
taking general education courses and knocking out prerequisites for classes I knew I was going to have to take.
My sophomore year I took my first real accounting class, before the class was over I knew I needed to change my
major. I was overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time. I had always enjoyed numbers when I was in
high school, I also enjoyed a challenge. After figuring out that I wanted to change my major I faced the problem
of actually deciding what major was right for me. I had never anticipated wanting to change my major so I was
overwhelmed at the thought of deciding on something for the rest of my life and I was underwhelmed by how
much I didn’t enjoy accounting in general.
I took an ESFP personality test online and then looked into careers and majors that were compatible for that
personality type and I stumbled on public relations. After that, I reached out to Julie Navickas (an academic
advisor for the School of Com) to set up a meeting to talk about what I needed to do to change my major and
potentially get an override to get into some public relations courses. I was able to then enroll in COM 178 (intro
to pr) and started writing my application essay to get into the school of com within the public relations major.
One thing that really drew me to public relations rather than any other major was the versatility. I liked that there
were so many options for careers post-graduation and I found security in knowing that if I wanted to change
career paths ten years down the road, I could.
Jobs directly related to this degree: agency pr, corporate pr, nonprofit pr, event planning, publicist, social media
specialist, marketing coordinator, promoter, and that’s just scraping the surface of possible jobs.

By: Mary Ann Rasmussen

Mass Media
I declared mass media as my major right out of the gate freshman year. I started getting more into mass media
focused activities my senior year of high school, doing things like radio class and the morning announcements. I
figured I know how to talk to people and it’s one of the things I can comprehend in a classroom setting. It also has so
many different opportunities in the career spectrum of things. My advice to incoming freshman or students thinking
of changing their major is no matter what you decide to change to or go with, just make sure that it’s what you’re
passionate about. Something that you could see yourself doing realistically.
Jobs directly related to this degree: digital marketer, media buyer, media planner, media researcher, music producer,
public relations officer, runner, broadcasting/film/video, social media manager, television/film/video producer, web
content manager.

By: A.J. Cafazza

37
 Appendix K
Objective Three Continued

Journalism
I chose Journalism because I’ve always loved telling stories and hearing about people’s lives, it’s amazing how much
you can learn about a stranger by just going up and asking them a few questions! I knew I wanted to do something
with magazine journalism because I love how you can inspire people by turning someone’s life or accomplishments
into a front page story!
I feel like being a journalism major and the school of Com in general has made me so much more confident in going
up and talking to people and connecting with people on a daily basis as well! I’m really glad I chose this major and
can’t wait to see where my future takes me!

Jobs directly related to this degree: content marketer, copywriter, corporate communications specialist, editor, grant
writer, reporter, public relations specialist, social media specialist, sports information director, technical writer,
broadcast journalist, editorial assistant, magazine features editor, magazine/newspaper journalist, political risk
analyst.

By: Mia Riddell

Communication Studies
I like the business side of communication without having to actually be a business major, there are so many
possibilities. Also, either way I take a lot of diverse classes and am learning a lot so I’m still getting the mix of
communication and business that I want and need.

Jobs directly related to this degree: college alumni and development officer, business executive, human relations
manager, public relations manager, marketing executive, advertising executive, media planner, web content
manager, paralegal.

By: Heather Wind

38
 Appendix K
Continued

More Info About the School of Communication

The School of Communication has more to offer than most people realize. With friendly, helpful, and inviting
staff, the SoC offers a more personalized experience than most colleges within the university. The SoC provides a
number of different and versatile majors with vast possibilities for jobs post-graduation.

The majors offered by the SoC are Public Relations, Mass Media, Journalism, and Communication Studies.
Opportunities made available by the SoC include TV-10 and WZND, giving students the chance to gain real-
world experience with television and radio broadcasting from all angles. A resource provided to students who are
not able to take part in TV-10 or WZND is the Communication Innovation Center (CIC). The CIC is a varied
room, providing ample opportunities to work with technology such as studio booths, microphones, cameras, and
green screens.

A NEW ADDITION to Fell Hall (the home of all things Com) is our new Social Media Analytics Command
Center, or SMACC lab. The SMACC lab is used for research and analytics to further understand criteria and
objectives for client work with advanced technology relevant for post-graduation experience.

To find out more information about individual majors, transfer requirements, and deadlines, visit the SoC website
at www.communication.illinoisstate.edu.

Spring Application Period: September 1 - October 1, 2019

Fall Application Period: February 1 - March 1, 2020

39
 Thank you!

If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to the e-mail listed on pg. 3.
We look forward to hearing your choice!

Sincerely,