The Communications Office coordinates strategic communications efforts at the College, particularly those relating to admissions, advancement, the College’s website, social media, and media relations. In collaboration with other College offices, including Information Technology Services, the Communications Office leads the development and implementation of an overall web strategy for Swarthmore. The office also lends advice and logistical support for film projects at the College.
Communications works with members of the College community to place stories about Swarthmore and its faculty and students in print and electronic media, responds to information requests, and helps reporters find Swarthmore sources for expert commentary. The office also helps students and faculty members publicize special events and provides general information to the public. In addition, it is responsible for producing and maintaining content for key areas of the Swarthmore website, including the homepage and news site, as well as maintaining the Campus Calendar and Classifieds and producing Minding the Light, an e-newsletter distributed to alumni, families, and the campus community.
Communications also creates a variety of printed communications for the Swarthmore community. The quarterly Swarthmore College Bulletin is an award-winning alumni magazine sent to all alumni, parents, faculty, staff, friends of the College, and members of the senior class. Communications provides editorial, photographic, graphic design, and print production services to administrative offices and academic departments and programs across campus. To request any of these services, please contact Lauren McAloon.
Communications manages the College’s primary social media platforms, including its Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. The office also serves as a resource for community members who manage department social media sites.
Communications partners with the admissions and financial aid departments to develop and manage the production of communications in print, web, email, and social media—as well as related to the campus visit experience—that speak to prospective students, their parents, and high school guidance counselors, among others. The goal is to raise awareness about Swarthmore College, communicate what distinguishes the College from other schools, and engage directly with prospective students.
In support of advancement, the office manages and supports all communications focused on the related goals of alumni engagement and raising philanthropic support for the College. This includes developing and implementing communications strategies, crafting proposals to donors, and overseeing the production of occasional videos, including an annual thank-you video to donors. The office also produces an annual calendar sent to all alumni.
