Syracuse University’s Division of Marketing and Communications recently launched a new 16-member student advisory committee.

The Student Communications Advisory Committee will meet with Dara Royer, chief marketing and communications officer, twice per semester to address topics like effective listserv emails, according to an SU News release. The group of undergraduate, graduate and law students will then give their opinions on how the university should address these topics.

Robin Evans, a law student and Pat Tillman Scholar, said this group is crucial to the university because of the lack of stories being told about diverse groups on campus.

“Being a black female, veteran, non-traditional and law student, I didn’t see a lot of stories reflected like mine,” she said. “When I saw commercials for the university, it looked like there was one type of student that attends it, which is one that just goes to school and basketball games. Obviously, this isn’t the case.”

Faculty and staff nominated students based on demonstrated leadership, academic achievement and a commitment to advance the mission of the university, committee Chair Juwan Thompson said in an email.

Thompson, a graduate student at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, said the selection committee believes that it chose a group that is representative of the student population.  

He coordinates the meetings, works to set agendas and serves as a liaison between the students and the Marketing and Communications team. The student input will help the division reflect the true Syracuse experience and reach all populations on campus, Thompson said. The group held its first meeting on Oct. 26.

“Our main charge is not necessarily identifying specific stories but instead, ensuring the Division of Marketing and Communications is aware of the great things happening in our community, and what stories are most important to our students, both current and prospective,” he said.

Rikki Sargent, a doctoral student in the College of Arts and Sciences, said the committee’s impact aims to expand the types of communication between the university and the student body to appeal to more than one group.

Not everyone receives the same level of communication through the same channels, so the committee will be effective because it can help figure out what communication strategies work for specific groups, Sargent added.

“I think that might be one of the reasons why this group will be so good,” she said.    

The students on the committee come from various graduate years, colleges, and are a part of many different sectors of the community.

Izmailia Sougoufara, a committee member and senior in Arts and Sciences, said there was a lack of representation for minorities on campus.

“It’s not that they don’t have a voice, but they don’t always get the same platform to tell their story, so the component I hope to contribute is getting underrepresented stories out there,” she said.

She said she noticed at the first meeting how all the members of the group had different ideas to offer to the committee. This is a key aspect for telling as many diverse stories as possible to the division, she said.

Evans believes the effectiveness of the group is based on its diversity. With students from different backgrounds, the committee can ensure the stories are as inclusive as possible.

“All the students add a melting pot flavor to the committee which is what we need if we’re trying to appeal to more than just one type of student,” she said.

Published on November 7, 2018 at 10:11 pm

Contact Abby: akweiss@syr.edu | @abbyweiss_21