On Saturday, August 13, Dr. Rey Junco, Greg Heiberger, Liz Gross, TJ Logan and Jeanna Mastrodicasa joined me for a Live Video Conversation at the University of Florida.  The panel talked briefly about what “#thinkingsocial” was and the current state of social media in higher education, particularly student affairs, academic affairs, and its role in marketing and building community.  The live broadcast had 49 viewers worldwide and an in-studio audience of 10 people!  While another post will go into detail about my time here at the University of Florida over the past five days, I can tell you that being a part of this panel was a real treat and honor.  These are the premiere social media researchers in the country, and if you are not connected with them yet, I recommend you do and learn from them.  They know their stuff for sure, my friends.

Here is the quick recap, including the #thinkingsocial:

• Infographic (below)
• A fun Storify
• Links to the replay of the video conversation: Part 1 and Part 2
• Twitter Transcript

How do you create community among those on your campus passionate about online community building? How do you move from “thinking social” to “acting social” and “TEACHING Social?”

On June 15, 2011 I sat down with Kenn Elmore from Boston University and discussed Social Media topics in Student Affairs and had a great conversation.  Above is the replay that I hope you enjoy!

A year (and one month) ago, I began the Live Video Interview series on my blog as a way to connect with people from higher education and beyond to talk about social media and technology related items for those who work in Higher Education and Student Affairs.  I’m happy to announce that next week, to celebrate this anniversary, I sat down, once again, with Kenn Elmore (@KennElmore), Dean of Students from Boston University, where Mike Hamilton (@MikeJHamilton) and broadcasted it live.

During our conversation, we talked about what had changed in Social Media over the last year, what Student Affairs professionals in Higher Education should be focused on for the Fall Semester, and tips for Senior Level Student Affairs officers who want to dive in and implement division wide social media efforts.

Bio: Kenneth Elmore has been Dean of Students at Boston University since 2003.  A native of Brooklyn, New York, Dean Elmore has over twenty years of experience in higher education administration.  Dean Elmore has experience in orientation programs, student activities, and residence life.  He also practiced law in the Boston area.

Dean Elmore is especially interested in issues surrounding community development and social justice, and seeks to motivate students to explore such topics through programming and initiatives sponsored by his office.

Find out more about Kenn at his Boston University DOS Blog

IF YOU’VE MISSED ANY OF MY LIVE VIDEO INTERVIEWS, CHECK THEM ALL OUT HERE. THANK YOU!

RESCHEDULED: Monday, June 27 from 8-pm – 9pm
Monday, June 6, 2011 from 8pm – 9pm Monday, May 23 from 8:00pm – 9:00pm EST
Broadcasted over Vokle
Video Hashtag: #SA30

(Due to illness, I had to reschedule this interview.  I guess the semester finally caught up with me!)

I’m excited to announce that I will be sitting down (virtually via Vokle) with the Breakdrink Staff (Jeff Jackson, Laura Pasquini, and Jeff Lail) for my next Live Video Interview!  Breakdrink.com fills an important need for online professional development for student affairs professionals through interactive online conferences, dynamic podcasts, and sharing the best the web has to offer.

During the interview, we will be talking about them about how they got Breakdrink started, where it is today, and where they see Student Affairs’ professional development headed over the next year.  We will also discuss their individual interests in technology, student affairs, and higher education and get to know these educational pioneers better!  I hope you can join us for our conversation!

Bios: Jeff Jackson is currently the Director of Student Life at the University of Texas Health Science Center and the creator of BreakDrink.com. Jeff has worked in higher education for over a decade primarily at The University of Texas and The University of Arizona with a brief stop at OrgSync. Interest in technology is around social media as a learning & communication platform, and has a new love of all things android.

Jeff Lail is currently the Coordinator for Programs in Campus Activities and Programs University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Jeff enjoys economics and sports and is interested in how technology can help us to make better use of all of our resources.

Laura Pasquini is currently an Academic Advisor & Learning Technology doctoral student at the University of North Texas. She enjoys sharing, collaborating and engaging as it is the best way to learn. Laura is passionate about student development, emerging technologies, and utilizing resources to enhance training, learning and student engagement. Her research interests lie in the effects and impacts of social media and open source learning in higher education. (source: breakdrink.com)

What questions do you have for Jeff, Laura, or Jeff? Please leave them in the comment section and I’ll try to incorporate it during the interview!

IF YOU’VE MISSED ANY OF MY LIVE VIDEO INTERVIEWS, CHECK THEM ALL OUT HERE. THANK YOU!

On Friday, April 29th, I sat down (virtually via Vokle) with T.J. Logan, Associate Director of  Housing for Administrative Services at the University of Florida, for a Live Video Interview! In his role at the University of Florida, T. J. oversees an area that includes occupancy management of an 8500+ bed system, marketing and brand management, safety and security, camps and conference administration, and area desk operations.

During the interview, we talked about his role at Florida, his decision to pursue a Doctoral degree in Educational Technology, and his views on online community development, especially through the online internal Residence Life social network he created. It was a great conversation with TJ and one that I hope you get a lot out of!

Bio: In addition to his focus on process efficiency and transparency, T. J. has led the implementation of social media efforts that serve as unique marketing and community building opportunities.  Under his leadership, the Department of Housing & Residence Education at the University of Florida has implemented a Facebook application for roommate matching, taken on unique branding opportunities through social media, and even implemented a private social network for residence hall students.

T. J. earned his B.A. and M.B.A at Kent State University, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Technology at the University of Florida.  His research interests include impacts of social media on student engagement and the use of Web 2.0 tools for community building.

In addition to being a university housing administrator and lifelong student, T. J. is also a husband and father of two (soon to be three).  While work is a major focus for T. J., he enjoys spending free time with his wife and children.

IF YOU’VE MISSED ANY OF MY LIVE VIDEO INTERVIEWS, CHECK THEM ALL OUT HERE. THANK YOU!

I sat down (virtually via Vokle) with the Cronk News Staff for a Live Video Interview in April.  The Cronk of Higher Education is an online faux-magazine founded by editor-in-chief, Leah Wescott, in June 2009 to provide critical and satirical analysis of the current events and daily routines at colleges and universities. (source: cronknews.com/about)

During the interview, I spoke with Leah Wescott, Brody Truce, and THE Irma Pelt about all the work they do with the Cronk, how it has grown in almost two years, and its impact on Student Affairs and Higher Education. It was great conversation and everyone involved had a great time!

To learn more about The Cronk of Higher Education , visit them at their website: http://www.cronknews.com

Bios:

Leah Wescott: Daughter of a school superintendent dad and a newspaper editor-in-chief mom (CronkNews was in her genetic code).  17 years as a higher ed practitioner at public, private, co-ed, single-gender, religious and independent colleges.  Taught full-time for 5 years.  Aggressive idealist

Brody Truce:  Full-time academic dean and curriculum guru; Part-time higher ed fashion critic; Experienced administrator; traditional college and hospital university environment; Hoping the Supreme Court will allow legal marriages between one man and one Microsoft Excel application.

Irma Pelt: Full-time student affairs practitioner; National and regional organizational leader and activist; Published author and editor.  Winner of 1956 Miss Teen America pageant

What questions do you have for Leah, Brody, or Irma? Please leave them in the comment section and I’ll try to incorporate it during the interview!

IF YOU’VE MISSED ANY OF MY LIVE VIDEO INTERVIEWS, CHECK THEM ALL OUT HERE. THANK YOU!