UNA preparing for second annual Welcome Week Photo Challenge on Instagram
Aug. 3, 2015
by Shelby Howard, UNA Communications & Marketing Intern
The planning process for the Second annual Instagram Welcome Week Photo Challenge is underway. There have been a few tweaks made to the process, only to ensure student participation and to extend the University of North Alabama outreach. This year the University of North Alabama plans to promote a 7-day photo challenge on the social media platform, Instagram. There will be six daily winners and one grand prize winner at the end of the challenge.
The University of North Alabama’s Goal:
With each passing year there are more students attending the University of North Alabama for the first time. This leaves the university with a student engagement dilemma.
How can the University of North Alabama have a creative impact on student engagement?
With the photo challenge centered on Welcome Week, the biggest week for student involvement, there is a driving factor of getting new students to adventure with campus and the many opportunities that it offers. The photo challenge is designed to get students to participate with each activity that is planned for the week. There are no repeats or events that offer the same experience. Therefore, students are interacting with different people in different settings.
In short, the University of North Alabama has a goal that revolves around reaching students and assisting them in feeling comfortable on campus even if the setting isn’t part of their natural comfort zone. Also, having fun never hurts!
Social Media- Photo Sharing:
The majority of freshmen entering the University of North Alabama have smartphones and have access to accounts on most leading social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and the most popular – Instagram. The University of North Alabama has a presence on most of those social media platforms in an attempt to meet students where they are and engage with them.
The idea of social media and photo sharing is something that has potential to increase student involvement and awareness. For example, if a student isn’t sure about a location on campus or would like to know more about a location, social media is the perfect solution. The task of locating a place on Facebook or Instagram only take seconds with the appropriate hashtags and location settings.
Photo sharing gives students the opportunity to express their creative side and to make others aware of what exciting adventures they are having, especially at college. When searching for the University of North Alabama on Instagram there are dozens of photos of the fountain at the main entrance. Many of the photos say, “No filter needed”. This is a phrase used when the photo is beautiful without enhancement. Not to brag, but the University of North Alabama campus is gorgeous. This is the type of photo sharing that makes students want to adventure on campus and see the beautiful fountain. Also, this is the type of photo sharing that increases the number of incoming freshmen each year.
Photo sharing is important and should be a tool that is used regularly.
The University of North Alabama’s Long Term Goal:
Social media is a platform that will last a long time – with new advances and discoveries happening daily. The University of North Alabama is an institution that will last a long time with an increase in students yearly. The two pair nicely when considering students and the level of engagement that can be achieved. This 7-day photo challenge is one of many ways we are urging incoming freshmen to explore campus and become involved with their new community. With challenges and contests based on social media the usage rates of each platform will increase and the promotion for the campus will continue to thrive.
Ultimately, social media will help students – incoming, present or past stay connected and it will help further their love for the university.
Roar Lions!