The University Communications team is always looking to explore new areas, novel solutions, and processes that help ensure creativity, teamwork, and energy. With a nod to the future, the division is well positioned for sustained success. 

Climate Survey and Commitment to Improvement

Along with the University Community, the University Communications team began an important conversation about improving the overall campus climate, as well as that within our own division. Together, we reviewed results and began to chart a course for the future.

Communities of Practice

University Communications organized communities of practice to provide opportunities for in-depth learning, sharing of best practices, generation of new knowledge, and collaborative problem solving in key domains of communications: web communications, social media, written storytelling, and video/design storytelling.

Awards & Accolades

University Communications launched an Awards and Accolades section of Around the O to celebrate employees who strive for excellence in teaching, research, artistic expression, and the generation and application of knowledge. They are frequently honored for their research, scholarship, teaching, leadership, and service that exemplify individual excellence and deliver on our institutional purpose. This new section recognizes and acknowledges their contributions to the UO and their profession and celebrates accomplishments such as grants, honors and fellowships, elections to regional and national boards or committees in professional organizations, and other career awards.

Brand Library

University Communications launched the Brand Library, providing a single home for a full suite of visual and graphic assets and templates for communications professionals across campus. The library embodies our philosophy to provide a digital maker’s space of brand-compliant assets.

 

AI Exploration

University Communications is undertaking a multi-year plan to discover and define ethical applications of AI to marketing, communications, and web work. In 2022-2023, the team launched an exploratory phase with webinars and discussions, setting the stage for the coming year, which will draw upon faculty experts to provide guiding principles, begin to optimize the UO’s digital impact among users of AI and make clear recommendations about specific tools and applications of AI for communicators. 

Media Forums

University Communications launched a series of media forums as part of a strategy to build relationships with journalists and showcase UO expertise on timely issues of public interest. The first of the facilitated panel discussions covered reading and literacy and featured faculty from the UO’s College of Education.