Understanding and Using Social Media on College Campuses: A Practical Guide for Higher Education Professionals

Brandon C. Waite · Darren A. Wheeler

Aug 2016 · Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

About this ebook

The purpose of this book is to help higher education professionals approach social media initiatives strategically. It presents a framework for systematically thinking about the Internet Technology Environments (ITE) in which faculty, staff, and administrators operate. By foregoing a one-size-fits-all approach to social media use on campuses for one that is based upon structured inquiry, individuals can discern their unique campus environment and prepare for the challenges and opportunities they are likely to encounter. In addition to explaining why social media use on college campuses is glaringly inconsistent, the book highlights the approaches faculty and staff might take when designing and implementing social media initiatives, given the type of environment in which they work. It also introduces strategies these actors and administrators can utilize to strengthen their ITEs, ultimately facilitating the successful incorporation of social media technology into campus communications.

About the author

Brandon Waite is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Ball State University where his teaching, research, and service activities focus the use of online technologies for campaigning and organizational communication. He regularly gives presentations about social media to nonprofit organizations and candidates for office on behalf of the Bowen Center for Public Affairs.

Darren Wheeler is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Ball State University where his teaching and research interests include judicial politics, terrorism and homeland security, and social media. He has been teaching online classes at colleges and universities for over ten years.