	December 2010

	Cool Stuff Colleges Are Doing Online

What do students do when they need last minute advice on interviewing questions or salary negotiations? Do not fear, iTCU is here! Texas Christian University‘s Career Service department released six new aspects of their app, which include interviewing, dining etiquette, upcoming events, videos, and career services at TCU. Best of all, the app is free for anyone to use.

University of Dayton has found a new way to connect with prospective students. “What Will You Take Away” is a virtual tour that allows students to learn about the school by viewing the real mementos that represent certain unforgettable parts of the University of Dayton experience. “It’s geared to appeal to a new generation of high school students who explore higher education opportunities online before ever setting foot on a campus,” said social media coordinator Kevin Schultz.

While you’re browsing the web, become a fan of the Marketing for Higher Education group on Facebook! It’s a new community that encourages collaboration and discussion amongst higher ed marketers. Click here to check it out.

	Rider University Launches Website Redesign

	After conducting research at the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010, Rider University has just launched a redesign of their website, www.Rider.edu.

	SimpsonScarborough teamed up with Rider for a research project incorporating two parts: 1) a web assessment that consisted of an expert review of the Rider University website and the websites for the University’s key competitiors, and 2) focus groups with current and prospective students. “The research findings

allowed Rider to gain a better understanding of where the website stood among its users and how the University could improve the overall experience of its website,” said Tara Laposa,

Director of Internet Projects for Rider University. The research set out to assess the strengths and weaknesses of Rider’s website. “Rider was able to identify key objectives for the redesign project, based on these findings, that allowed Rider to explore and implement enhancements based on real findings.”

	Overworked and Understaffed?

	Marketing departments at colleges and universities have seen their budgets drop, but their responsibilities increase dramatically. As a result, it’s become crucial to manage structure, resources, and staffing models effectively.

	Elizabeth Scarborough and Bob Massa, Vice President for Communication at Lafayette College, are hosting an Academic Impressions online webinar

titled “Staffing and Structuring a Successful Marketing Department” on February 22, 2011 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm EST. This webcast is for institutional

	marketing personnel at all levels; development, admissions, and even budgetary leaders will benefit from this session. For more information or to register for the webinar, click here.

	The Newest Members of the SimpsonScarborough Team

SimpsonScarborough is pleased to announce the addition of Allison Akel and Faith Goodiel to our team.

Allison joins us as a recent graduate from the University of Florida, where she studied Business Administration and Marketing. Allison hails from Jacksonville, Florida and in her free time enjoys wakeboarding, going to the beach and traveling.

Prior to joing us, Allison interned with TOMS Shoes. In her role at SimpsonScarborough as Project Assistant, she will be working on the day-to-day aspects of research projects and other administrative tasks.

Faith was born and raised in Fairfax, VA, but now lives in

Falls Church with her fiance, Adam, and their dog Orson Welles. When she is not at SimpsonScarborough, you can find Faith watching Star Wars and eating Mexican food.

Faith comes from PBS, where she worked for over four years. As a Project Manager at SimpsonScarborough, Faith will manage key marketing and branding projects. She will coordinate and organize the resources to bring about the completion of project objectives.

	SimpsonScarborough Book Club

	Upcoming Speaking Engagements

This month, SimpsonScarborough is getting cozy with “Marketing Mix Decisions: New Perspectives and Practices.” In this informative book, seven different authors offer their professional input on the challenges that businesses face in the marketplace.

The Board of Directors of the American Marketing Association formed a coalition of top academics and senior marketing executives to drive the development and dissemination of marketing knowledge that will help marketing managemers address key challenges and opportunities in the marketplace and determine the appropriate marketing mix.