Brand Updates

Boost your skills in marketing and communications

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Whatever your role is on campus, recruiting and retaining students is at the forefront of Missouri State’s (and your) mission. It’s all about using effective marketing and communications strategies to reach those students (and their parents) where they are.

That’s why the division of marketing and communications is offering a series of free training sessions on campus that will explore best practices to improve your skills in design, social media, writing, videography and more.

Faculty and staff members are invited to MarCom Training Week, Feb. 27-March 2, 2023.

How to register

Registration is required in My Learning Connection at my.missouristate.edu.

  • Go to your profile tab.
  • Find the Professional Development box.
  • Select My Learning Connection.
  • Search for this session.
  • Sign up.

Event schedule

You can access details for each event on the university calendar.

Feb. 27

How to look like Missouri State
9-10 a.m., Glass Hall 486

Hello Omni CMS, goodbye WebPress!
1-3 p.m., Glass Hall 486

Feb. 28

Q&A panel: Making your statement with photo and video
9-10 a.m., Glass Hall 486

March 1

How to sound like Missouri State
9-10 a.m., Glass Hall 486

Digital marketing: reach your audience anywhere, online
10:30-11:30 a.m., Zoom

Hello Omni CMS, goodbye WebPress!
1-3 p.m., Glass Hall 486

March 2

Lights, camera short form video
9-10 a.m., Glass Hall 486

Mastering media interviews – level 1
1-3 p.m., Glass Hall 486

Meet the presenters

Access the new Missouri State Web Design System

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The Missouri State Web Design System was officially launched August 22, 2022. 

This system provides guidance to those who collectively support Missouri State’s web presence. 

Within this system, you will find:

  • The Missouri State brand toolkit for the web.
  • How to structure your page with templates and grids.  
  • A guide to the elements and patterns available; in what form they are offered in Omni CMS; and how they may be best used. 
  • Guidance for incorporating images, videos, icons and charts within your page layout. 

To further serve you, training is available through the following: 

Training is still provided through the web support help desk via phone, Zoom or in person (by appointment.)

If you have any design questions, contact Valerie Cummings at 417-836-5670 or VCummings@MissouriState.edu.

 

Latest Associated Press style updates

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The AP Stylebook, the style guide the university follows for most of its communication, has updated sections on sex and gender.

Highlights

  • Transgender: This term describes someone whose gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth. Some nonbinary people also consider themselves transgender.  
  • When writing about sex, use the term sex assigned at birth when referring to someone who does not identify with the assigned gender.  
  • When writing about pregnancy, use pregnant women or women seeking abortions. Pregnant people is also acceptable for people who do not identify as women.  
  • Don’t refer to male or female hormones. Instead, name the specific hormone.  
  • Use a transgender person’s previous name, or deadname, very rarely. You should only use it if required to understand the news or if requested by the person.  
  • Avoid terms like biological male or female. 
  • Use LGBTQ where appropriate.  

Pronouns

  • Instead of saying someone has preferred or chosen pronouns when writing, say phrases like the pronouns they use, whose pronouns are, who uses are, etc. If you are uncertain which pronouns to use, it’s OK to ask. 
  • Growing numbers of people, including some transgender, nonbinary, agender or gender-fluid people, use they/them/their as a gender-neutral singular personal pronoun. 

Sports

  • Avoid phrasing that misgenders people or implies doubt, such as former men’s swimmer or currently competes as a woman. It’s best to rephrase to formerly competed with men or current member of the women’s team, etc. 
  • When writing about transgender players that  are banned from playing on teams in line with their gender, choose phrasing that accurately describes this restriction.  

 

Missouri State is hiring a content strategist

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Missouri State University is hiring a content strategist for the Marketing and Communications team. 

The content strategist will manage, or help manage, university-level social media accounts.  

This person will also perform other public relations and marketing functions for the office of strategic communication. This includes writing and editing for many high-profile websites and publications.  

The content strategist also contributes to many projects that elevate the reputation of MSU and help the university meet its recruitment and retention goals. 

Check out the posting

Benefits

Work-life balance is a priority for Missouri State University and the office of strategic communication. 

The university offers very generous paid leave including vacation, sick leave, personal days and holidays. 

Benefits include: 

  • Four weeks of vacation annually. 
  • 12 days of sick leave annually. 
  • Generous staff holidays. 
  • Health and dental insurance. 
  • Retirement through the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System. 
  • Credit and noncredit fee waivers. 

Inquiries can be sent to NickiDonnelson@MissouriState.edu. 

Missouri State hiring director of web strategy and development

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Missouri State University is hiring a director of web strategy and development.

The web director is part of the leadership team for the Marketing and Communication division. He/she will:

  • Provide system-wide leadership in planning, optimizing, and directing the design, functionality, and security of the university’s website.
  • Oversee the coordinated development, communication, and implementation of web projects, policies, and procedures and accessibility of the university’s website.
  • Ensure the website is optimized for student recruitment.
  • Ensure analytics and web page destinations are in place to measure organic and paid marketing efforts.
  • Offer guidance and training to content editors.
  • Collaborate with various units and groups to audit website performance, provide guidance and offer consulting services.

Learn more and apply

Benefits

Missouri State offers competitive benefits, including generous paid leave.

Benefits include:

  • Four weeks of vacation annually.
  • 12 days of sick leave annually.
  • Generous staff holidays.
  • Health and dental insurance.
  • Retirement through the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System.
  • Credit and noncredit fee waivers.

Inquiries can be sent to AndreaMostyn@MissouriState.edu.