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About UIS Strategic Communication
We lead strategic organizational communication, marketing, media and digital efforts to promote the university’s mission and enhance its reputation.
Media Strategy
Serves as the university’s official voice through traditional media relations and social media integration.
Marketing & Brand Strategy
Develops data-driven, comprehensive strategies and omni-channel marketing campaigns for all areas of the university.
Web & Digital Strategy
Oversees and maintains the UIS.edu website and UIS mobile app and designs, programs and develops web-accessible, user-focused websites that follow industry best practices.
Web and Digital Strategy Updates
Accessibility Compliance Deadline: April 24, 2026
UIS website editors have made great progress with accessibility updates across the site! We are almost to our compliance goal of 88%, which is the benchmark industry standard. Most of the remaining issues are related to PDFs, so please review your Siteimprove reports and remediate any unresolved issues. If you need assistance, please reach out to the Office of Web & Digital Strategy.
New Web Advisory Council
We launched the UIS Web Advisory Council (WAC), a new campus-wide group focused on improving the quality, accessibility, usability and consistency of UIS websites. Council meetings will provide a forum to share updates on new features, policies and guidelines, discuss accessibility initiatives, and give employees an opportunity to provide feedback and share challenges or opportunities related to the UIS web environment. Participation in WAC is open to anyone who manages or contributes to UIS web content.
March Moments
Media Strategy Updates
Social Media Accessibility
Ahead of the April 24 deadline from the U.S. Department of Justice to enhance digital accessibility for people with disabilities, all UIS departments should ensure they are using alternative text to describe photos and adding closed captioning to videos. Review our resource about the requirements and watch our training video.
Social Media Guidelines
A reminder that the UIS Social Media Guidelines require department social media accounts to:
- Post to each social platform at least once per month
- Maintain at least two social media managers per account
- Keep manager names current with Media Strategy in the shared Box folder
Please email Blake Wood at bwood8@uis.edu with questions.
Marketing and Brand Strategy Updates
Enrollment-Recruitment Ad Campaigns
Marketing and Brand Strategy’s digital recruitment ad campaigns delivered a strong overall performance across graduate, transfer and first-year audiences in February. Search advertising continued to exceed expectations with high click-through rates and costs remaining below industry benchmarks, while YouTube, display and geofencing tactics maintained consistent engagement and awareness. Paid social campaigns on Snapchat and TikTok generated significant impressions and clicks, with messaging highlighting alumni outcomes performing especially well.
As campaigns continue into the spring, we have refreshed our ad creative and messaging to optimize our strategic approach and further strengthen our reach and impact among prospective students.
Recent Prairie Perspectives Articles
Authored by the Marketing team and graduate assistants
Make the Most of Your Campus Visit
Visiting a college campus can be helpful in deciding what school is the right fit for you. As a tour guide and current student at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), these are my tips to make the most of your campus visit that go beyond the standard tour.
Written by student Cassie Goudreau
Why You Should Live on Campus
Living on campus at UIS is more than just having a place to sleep, it’s about being in the heart of campus life. From my first days as a freshman to my time as a graduate student, the convenience of being just minutes away from everything has made life at UIS not only more manageable but genuinely enjoyable.
Written by GA Mitch Olenick
Employee Communication Resources
UIS Update
Semimonthly newsletter from the Chancellor for faculty and staff.
UIS in the News
Daily email news summary that highlights UIS mentions in radio, TV and newspaper stories.
UIS Mobile App
All-in-one access to academic platforms, safety notifications, news and events, swipe door access and other resources.
Orbit
UIS employee news hub for announcements, HR resources info, department newsletters, links to services, employee events and more.
Important Dates
Events supported by Strategic Communication
- 4/3, 4/13, 4/29: Website Editor Training
- 4/7: Retirement and Recognition Ceremony
- 4/7: Chancellor's Thinkers Series: Authentic Leadership
- 5/9, Commencement
Gold Stars
Congrats to Ashley Earnest, assistant director of media strategy, who was recently honored with the 2026 Chancellor’s Award to Recognize Excellence in Civil Service (CARE). Earnest helped launch the UIS Social Media Squad, a student content creator program designed to give students hands-on experience producing digital content while sharing authentic stories about campus life.
Contact
Learn more about Strategic Communication or request support on the Strategic Communication Website.