Audience Messaging

IC offers both undergraduate and graduate programs, and our five schools differ greatly in their offerings and personalities. Prospective students are not a monolith but generally fall into two different categories: knowing and discovery.

The Knowing Student

This student is clear about their academic and professional direction. They seek to attend the best school in their chosen area of study and want to connect their career directions with their passions. They also know what they are looking for and are likely to be motivated by straightforward outcomes and opportunities to excel.

• How We Hope They’ll Feel: Energized, motivated, and inspired. In communications, we want to recognize and celebrate the knowing student's clarity of purpose and their drive to excel in their chosen field. We want to show that they will join a community where excellence meets opportunity and where their career aspirations will be nurtured, supported, and propelled.
   

The Discovery Student

The discovery student is uncertain about their academic direction and professional path. They are motivated by exploration and crave a college environment where they can truly be themselves in a vibrant community. This community, including dedicated mentorship and hands-on experiences, will help them narrow their academic and career interests.

• How We Hope They’ll Feel: Inspired, supported, and guided. Our goal is to make discovery students feel excited, welcomed, and included in a place where they know they will be able to discover their passions and their potential. We want discovery students to feel empowered by the freedom to explore their future with incredible academic opportunities through the guidance necessary to succeed.
   

For All Prospective Students

• How We Hope They'll Feel: Welcomed, excited, and inspired. They should get a sense of the kind of community and home they’ll find at Ithaca College and in Ithaca. They should be able to see themselves at IC. They will also gain an understanding of how the IC experience can help them reach their greatest potential in academics, community service, career, and every area of life.
• Writing Tips
  • Write informative content that focuses on student experiences, welcoming the reader in and inspiring them to be part of what IC has to offer. Highlight some of the incredible opportunities students will have in your program, event, or organization. If you’re telling a story about an event or student success, make sure to include the fun, excitement, or emotion while always prioritizing academics.

How We Hope They'll Feel

Informed and inspired. We’d like them to feel that information is easy to find and questions are answered without too much searching. They should get a sense that IC is an ideal place to live and learn and that the opportunities available at IC will create an excellent foundation for a student’s future success.

Writing Tips

Be mindful of the kinds of questions prospective parents have during the college search and application process, and make sure those questions are answered up front. Think beyond logistics and highlight value. Why would parents want to send their students to IC? Focus on the unique opportunities and resources available through IC and give examples of inspiring student experiences.

How We Hope They'll Feel

Empowered, acknowledged, and appreciated. Our goal is to empower current students to be natural ambassadors of the IC experience. We want them to feel pleased about and deeply satisfied with their decision to attend IC. They should feel a sense of enthusiasm and connection to the college, eager to share the opportunities they have tapped into within IC’s engaged community and professional networks. Current students should be included in decision-making and respected for sharing their voice. We’d also like them to feel like they have access to everything they need to feel welcome, safe, happy to be here, and empowered to create their own success.

Writing Tips

Be open and honest and ensure that you’ve provided any necessary information in your content (who, what, where, why, when, how, and what’s in it for the audience). Be inclusive and considerate and ensure that your content is welcoming for all students who interact with it.

How We Hope They'll Feel

Acknowledged, appreciated, proud, and relevant. We’d like them to feel like vital and respected members of the IC community who play a major role in the success of the college and students. They should feel as though their voices are heard and their achievements and contributions to the IC experience are recognized. They should not feel frustrated in any search for information.

Writing Tips

Be open and honest and ensure that any vital information needed is included without the need for additional research. Answer questions before they are asked, when possible. Connect positive news with the contributions of groups and individuals when relevant.

How We Hope They'll Feel

Appreciated, always welcome, equipped, and connected. We’d like them to feel thanked for their impact on the college. We want them to know that their involvement makes a difference. By staying active in the IC community, they contribute to the overall success of Ithaca College. We’d also like them to be inspired by some of the awesome things happening at IC today and empowered to give back through volunteering, mentoring, or gifts that will benefit students into the future.

Writing Tips

Engage recent alumni by connecting with their IC experience—what are some common traditions, events, or feelings? Show recent alumni that they make a difference and thank them when they do. Celebrate their successes. Empower them to give back in whatever way they can and communicate the many ways they might remain active in the IC community.

How We Hope They'll Feel

Appreciated, welcome, proud, and engaged. We’d like alumni to fondly remember their time at IC and feel informed about what it’s like today. They should feel appreciated for their influence on the college and be empowered to give back through mentoring, volunteering, or making gifts that benefit current and future students. We’d like them to be excited about the successes coming out of IC and inspired to share the news.

Writing Tips

Connect the current student experience to alumni nostalgia about their own time at IC, when relevant. Communicate the many ways to stay engaged with the IC community—visiting, getting in touch with professors or other alumni, networking and mentoring with current students, volunteering, or making a gift. Share stories of the impressive ways alumni directly influence students to encourage other alumni to get involved.

How We Hope They'll Feel

Informed and considered. We want the school counselor to feel as though information—about logistics, the application process, contact information, and whether IC is the right fit for their students—is easy to find. We’d like them to think of IC as a top-choice school for a variety of student interests and activities.

Writing Tips

Include the most important details. School counselors need to quickly locate contact information and program and cocurricular offerings. Make sure content includes a variety of student interests and aptitudes. Consider the way things that seem very specific (like an event or course offering) could connect with a broader audience in interesting ways.