Getting to Know: College Relations

The June Q&A is with Alex Helmbrecht, director of College Relations.

Q: As the director of College Relations, how do you see the role of the department?

I think the role of College Relations at Chadron State College is best defined by a statement my former journalism teacher, LaVida Dickinson, cherished: “Consistency builds credibility.” Everything the department of College Relations does in some way or another ties back to that statement. If the department, and by extension Chadron State, is consistent with all it does, then its messages will be credible. College Relations is a tangible representation of the college and it is the mission of the department to promote and maintain the quality and integrity of Chadron State College through reliable communication and marketing in a variety of mediums.

Of course, CSC has been here for longer than any of us have been alive and it will continue to educate students and serve the region for many years to come. When you embody an institution as important as Chadron State, you want it to be represented in the most positive light and to remain a credible entity.

Q: Could you please explain identity standards and your department’s responsibilities in administering them?

The Identity Standards were created in 2013 to help define a unified visual identity for the college. In the past, several variations of CSC logos – some approved and some unapproved – were often seen throughout Chadron and in the area. A lot of times when dealing with logos or brands, perception is reality. So, in order to build a stable foundation for Chadron State’s brand, the Identity Standards were created.

The Identity Standards are a helpful tool for external agencies who wish to reproduce the CSC logo. The Identity Standards are also used on campus to maintain a consistent brand on all college publications. However, the Identity Standards aren’t limited to only brand governance. The guide also provides an editorial style guide, writing tips, history on former CSC logos and direction for accurate color reproduction.

Q: Can you share how CSC Live provides outreach?

CSC Live has really grown in the past few years, particularly in its ability to produce studio quality broadcasts of live campus events that are readily available on the Internet. Daniel Binkard is chiefly responsible for helping CSC Live grow and he utilizes a large group of student workers in effective ways. Craig Conway has also helped develop the look and feel of the live events by creating original graphics that give the broadcasts a professional touch. The best thing about the broadcasts? They’re all free.

Q: What services does the CSC Print Shop provide the campus community?

The Print Shop is one of the places on campus where a lot of work gets accomplished. Bruce Huckfeldt and Craig Conway are constantly providing campus employees and students with professional printing services. The Print Shop is really the finish line of a lot of services College Relations provides because it sees basically everything that is created on campus for print.

The Print Shop provides standard printing services, including business cards and posters, lamination, finishing work (folding, stapling, spiral binding) and graphic design on just about any project you can imagine. Chances are if you see something on campus with the CSC logo or colors, the Print Shop helped create it.

Q: How do the graphic designers on your staff assist others with their needs for online and print materials?

A former colleague once said about College Relations: “You don’t have one boss – you have several.” In reality, that is a true statement. The graphic designers on staff work with a wide variety of people. Typically, the designers are the ones contacted about a job and they often see the project through from the idea’s conception to the finished product. All of College Relations’ graphic designers – Dewayne Gimeson, Daniel Binkard and Craig Conway – are professional, responsible and well equipped to create original graphics for a variety of mediums. The graphic designers on staff are tasked with balancing the college’s identity, while also providing the customer what they want. Sometimes that can be delicate to maintain, but all of the designers do what is in the best interest of the college and explain those intentions well to the people they collaborate with.

Q: What are your news and marketing strategies to position CSC’s strengths favorably in the media?

The news strategy is fairly straightforward – College Relations will consistently and accurately report on campus events and provide a reliable lens to view the campus through.

As far as marketing goes, Marketing Coordinator Tena Cook innovatively and creatively emphasizes the college’s accessibility and affordability to prospective students. Students get opportunities at Chadron State that are unique to this school and town for a variety of reasons. We advertise, “Build Your Future,” because when a student enters CSC he or she has an unwritten future. Once students are equipped with a valuable education, they have the chance to build their futures however they want.