It is essential to recognize that internal stakeholders within a higher education institution primarily consist of members of the academic community who actively engage in and contribute to the institution’s daily operations and overall functioning. These stakeholders include current students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
The current students are the primary stakeholders in the school—the reason the school exists. The faculty are those directly responsible for student education and creating the environment for the primary stakeholders to learn. The staff contributes to the daily running of the program and institution, and the administrators ensure that the program and institution run efficiently and effectively. All in all, these individuals are vital in shaping the academic environment and advancing the institution’s mission.
To provide clarity and context, consider the following example of an internal stakeholder who would typically be involved in the operations of a higher education program. This example underscores the integral part such stakeholders play in fostering the program’s success and advancing its objectives.
Examples of tangible deliverables below:
Newsletter E-Blast
This communication tool is designed to keep internal stakeholders—such as faculty, staff, and students—well-informed about the program’s ongoing activities, achievements, and updates. By featuring highlights about faculty accomplishments, student milestones, and a personalized message from the department chair or program director, the e-blast fosters a sense of transparency and inclusivity. Such efforts are integral to creating a stronger sense of community and belonging among students while reinforcing their connection to the program. This type of content can be efficiently designed and distributed using various tools, including CANVA, Microsoft Publisher, and other digital platforms, ensuring accessibility and professional presentation.
Social Media Platform(s)
Social media platforms are powerful tools for engaging internal stakeholders, mainly primary stakeholders such as current students. These platforms enable programs to connect with their audience through visually engaging content, fostering a dynamic and interactive online presence. By leveraging social media effectively, programs can share event flyers, highlight achievements, and promote key initiatives, encouraging participation in events and enhancing the program’s visibility within its community.
The ability to visually communicate through social media captures stakeholders’ attention and strengthens their connection to the program by providing timely updates and showcasing the program’s vibrancy. To assist with this process, detailed step-by-step guides are available for setting up program-specific social media pages on popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp. By clicking on each platform name, you will gain access to comprehensive instructions, ensuring a seamless setup that allows your program to fully utilize the potential of these digital tools for stakeholder engagement and program promotion.
Lectures/Forums/Workshop Events
Below are examples of events that a program might organize to actively engage both internal and external stakeholders. These events serve as an opportunity to foster community involvement, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and promote the program’s mission and activities. A key component of effectively marketing such events is creating visually appealing and informative event flyers.
Event flyers are crucial in promoting events by succinctly communicating essential details, such as the event’s purpose, date, time, and location. Additionally, the visual design of a flyer captures attention, enhances event awareness, and serves as a tangible reminder that encourages attendance. Programs can significantly boost participation and engagement by distributing these materials through digital and physical channels.
The tools used to create impactful flyers are comparable to those utilized for crafting professional newsletter e-blasts. Platforms such as CANVA, Microsoft Publisher, Adobe Photoshop, PosterMyWall, and similar design software provide user-friendly interfaces and robust customization options to ensure that event promotional materials are visually compelling and effectively communicate the intended message.
