Marketing and Communications

The Digital Services team manages the college’s main public-facing website, as well as the Express Online intranet, the online Handbooks and Catalogue, News.Rhodes.edu, and the collection of office, initiative, and research-based microsites branded as Sites@Rhodes. Digital Services staff work with stakeholders and subject matter experts across the college, reviewing content to determine how it will best fit into the college’s websites and sees to the day-to-day management of content and architecture. 

For content that needs its own independent navigation or which does not directly fit the mission of the college’s other sites, the Division of Marketing and Communications offers college-branded sites for all faculty, offices, and programs through Sites@Rhodes. Digital Services staff will consult on matters of architecture, design, and layout, set up and populate the site, and provide individual or small group training, handing off routine, minor content updates to the content owners. To initiate a college-branded site, please submit a Web Request.

We encourage the Rhodes community to take advantage of our services, available at no cost to the user. Maintaining integrity of design is important to our various audiences to provide a consistently excellent user experience and to conform to the college’s branding, as well as to guarantee accessibility as required by law and in accordance with the mission and vision of the college.

In cases where an outside vendor must be used to host web content, the proposed vendor must consult with the Marketing and Communications office about workflow, branding, integration, accessibility, and other guidelines before signing a contract or agreeing to any terms of service for web properties that will in any way bear the college’s name or branding.

The Rhodes flagship social media accounts are run by Marketing and Communications and are one of the primary channels we use to elevate stories and key messages. Our social media accounts make use of video, photography, and print media. Official Rhodes accounts appear on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

With approval from the relevant vice president, other channels may be run by Rhodes affiliates, such as academic and administrative departments, but are not under the purview of the Division of Marketing and Communications. Use of the Rhodes Brand Standards Guide is required for all accounts representing Rhodes College divisions, offices, departments, or programs.

The Division of Marketing & Communications assists with the promotion of major college events such as Commencement, Opening Convocation, Family Weekend, Homecoming, large-scale admission programs, and other events designated by the Rhodes College President. 

Marketing & Communications publishes Rhodes This Week, an internal newsletter highlighting campus news and upcoming events. Rhodes This Week is published on Tuesday and Friday mornings when classes are in session. The events listed in Rhodes This Week are drawn from the college’s public events calendar. 

Due to limited resources, the office is unable to assist with the planning of departmental or program-level events. For assistance with events, contact the Office of College Events.

Video is a key component of the college’s communications strategy. The Division of Marketing and Communications produces video content to share the college’s story and promote key college initiatives. Video projects can be found on the college’s YouTube channel. 

Livestreaming video is an important tool used to share the college’s story with internal and external audiences. Marketing and Communications oversees the livestreaming of major college events and other events designated by the president and senior leadership. 

The office is unable to assist with instructional video production. The college’s instructional technology team is available to assist with these needs.

To propose a video project, submit a General Communications Request.

The Division of Marketing and Communications captures photography to support strategic goals in all areas of the college. Photography appears in admission materials, internal news, on the website, on social media, and elsewhere. The Rhodes Brand Standards Guide addresses how best for photography to support the identity and messaging of the college. 

The office accepts requests for photography that are aligned with its mission, but is unable to schedule photography for departmental or program-level events

The Marketing and Communications Creative Services team is primarily focused on supporting admission recruiting projects and development and alumni relations initiatives. The team is also able to consult on and provide design services for major college initiatives and events. 

The team is also available to consult and answer questions on the proper use of the college’s brand and visual identity standards. 

Submit a General Communications Request

The Division of Marketing & Communications handles media relations for the college. The vice president of marketing and communications is the college’s primary spokesperson. 

The office regularly publishes news about the college, faculty accomplishments, and student success stories. (See the “Stories” section for more information.) In addition, the office is available to assist faculty as they work with members of the news media. This includes facilitating expert interviews with reporters and correspondents, advising on the development and pitching of editorial pieces, and training faculty members how to best share their research and scholarship with news organizations. 

Members of the media are welcome on campus to cover events open to the general public. Permission must be given in advance before media can access the campus to conduct interviews or capture video or photography. Contact the vice president of marketing and communications to request permission to come on campus. Once permission is granted, the office will notify Campus Safety to ensure access to campus is granted.

The division of Marketing and Communications regularly publishes news about the college, faculty accomplishments, and student success stories. These are based on the college’s strategic priorities and are developed in concert with the relevant departments and divisions. 

The office welcomes relevant pitches for story ideas from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of the college. Although the Division of Marketing and Communications will not publish every idea, serious consideration will be given to all. Please direct your pitches to the vice president of marketing & communications. 

Rhodes Magazine is published biannually for alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of the college. It contains news and profiles of alumni, faculty, and students, along with a lengthy alumni news section. To submit story suggestions or comments, contact Tracy Patterson, director of alumni relations, at pattersont@rhodes.edu or (901) 843-3856

To submit alumni news (including marriages, births, and obituaries) or to update your contact information, contact Tracy Patterson, director of alumni relations, at pattersont@rhodes.edu or (901) 843-3856. You may also send your information to alumni@rhodes.edu.

For information or inquiries regarding athletics, contact Phil Chinnery, sports information director, at chinneryp@rhodes.edu or (901) 843-3063.

To promote or inquire about alumni activities, contact Tracy Patterson, director of alumni relations, at pattersont@rhodes.edu or (901) 843-3856.