This checklist is intended to support the promotion of academic programs to current UWM students, including majors, minors, graduate programs and certificates. It is not intended for the promotion of individual courses.
We recommend promoting courses as part of a broader academic program whenever possible, helping students understand how individual classes connect to a larger pathway, credential or outcome.
Communications & Outreach
Focus on internal channels and direct engagement with students, advisors and campus partners.
Advisors & Academic Support
Connect with faculty, academic advisors and recruiters who can help you promote the program.
- Signage in Union gold frames
- Signage in Union digital monitors
- Concourse banner
- Window clings
- Elevator clings
College Marketing Support
Contact your college’s marketing manager to explore opportunities for promotion within appropriate academic buildings, including:
- Wall clings
- Elevator clings
- Pop-up banners
- Other short-term signage
Open House
Consider hosting an open house or other event to showcase the academic program.
- Present information on job outcomes, internship opportunities and research opportunities.
- Invite an alum of the program to speak. Or, for new programs, invite someone working in the field to talk about their job.
- Consider giveaways or challenges to attract interest and engagement. (“Learn more about [Program] — win Panther Gear!”).
Student & Family Newsletters
There are two student newsletters that you may be able to get announcements in:
- Union Marketing produces Student News N’Stuff, which is distributed on Sundays during the academic year. To submit an item, email news-stuff@uwm.edu.
- MarComm has a student newsletter called UWM: In Session that is sent every other Thursday during the school year. Use this form to submit an announcement.
- MarComm can also help you get an announcement in the Panther Family Portal to reach families of current and incoming students.
- To reach incoming students, connect with the Office of Student Enrollment Communications.
Student Organizations
Connect with student organizations related to the major or academic discipline to see if they will help promote the program to their members. Need help identifying relevant student organizations? Email Student Involvement at activities@uwm.edu for assistance.
Union Marketing
Union Marketing can help you create a promotion plan that includes:
- Provide a flyer that advisors and others can hang on their doors or bulletin boards.
- Create an e-flyer that advisors can post in Navigate and faculty can post on relevant Canvas sites. Make sure it meets digital accessibility standards!
- Create a digital monitor slide and send it to digital display managers to post in their buildings.
Union Marketing also can help you connect with other Student Affairs units, including Housing, which may have opportunities to promote your program.
Social Media
College or Department Accounts
Collaborate with your college’s marketing manager, and if applicable, the manager of your department’s social media accounts to promote your program. Here are a few ideas:
- Share program highlight videos or short reels on college or department social media accounts.
- Partner with student ambassadors, tour guides, athletes and other students active in your department to promote to their social networks.
University Accounts
MarComm manages UWM’s flagship social media accounts, with opportunities for individual units to engage.
- For new programs, request an Instagram story (note: individual courses are not promoted on main UWM accounts).
- Encourage a student from the program to apply as a content creator when openings are available. Content creators often produce videos that showcase their major and activities.
- Nominate a student from the program as a UWM Brand Ambassador. MarComm shares Brand Ambassador images and other assets with colleges for their use on social media.
Please note that digital advertising aimed at current UWM students to promote a single academic program is not permitted. This includes paid social media.