News media relations

A key role of the Communications and Marketing Office is overseeing news media relations. We produce and provide stories about Goshen College and work to publicize them through the news media and online information sources, thus increasing Goshen’s visibility.

To do this, we:

• Distribute information and stories about GC to media outlets (newspapers, magazines, radio, television and online information sites).
• Cultivate relationships with reporters and media outlets. We work to connect reporters with faculty experts on campus. (Want to know what to do when a reporter calls? Contact our office).
• Develop stories about GC.
• Monitor the news to find the right fit for stories we place and identify new stories about GC.
• Provide photography for website and publications as well as to accompany news releases, including coverage of newsworthy campus events.
• Write content for and maintain GC’s news web site

Talking to the media during a crisis or other institutional matter

Faculty and staff are always welcome to talk to reporters about topics within their area of expertise. However, when faculty or staff members are asked to comment on an institutional question or an issue that relates to the college as a whole, such as human resources concerns or general institutional policies, the reporter should always be referred to the Communications and Marketing Office, which will determine the appropriate spokesperson for Goshen College. Com-Mar will refer the reporter to the appropriate source for comment or issue a statement on behalf of GC. See tips for when you’re being interviewed.

About Your Area of Expertise

If you have an informed opinion on a subject area, let’s get it out there! Faculty members make wonderful commentators, and they provide great opportunities to raise the visibility of GC. Consider writing op-ed pieces on current affairs and newsworthy topics, letters to the editor, commentaries and guest columns. We can help plan them and get them placed.

Op-eds appear in general-circulation newspapers and are designed for all audiences. The writing level of an op-ed page may be slightly above that of news pages (generally seventh to ninth grade level), but not much higher. Op-eds usually have an 800 word limit. Com-Mar can assist by providing helpful information about journalistic style, suggesting topics, narrowing a topic, editing and other tasks.

If a member of the news media contacts you to comment on a topic within your area of expertise, feel free to answer their questions and let Com-Mar know. However, if you prefer to give some thought to the questions before answering, or if you have questions about the interview and how to respond, take the reporter’s telephone number and return the call as soon as possible.

In this situation, please consult Com-Mar, who can share information about the reporter, the angle the story is likely to take, other stories the reporter may be researching or writing at the time and any other background information that may be helpful in advance of the interview. Com-Mar can also help you prepare for an interview.

Com-Mar should be informed about all interviews conducted by faculty and staff. Please send an email to us to let us know that you participated or plan to participate in an interview. See tips for when you’re being interviewed.

Other ways faculty and staff can help us

• Share your story ideas, either for us to pass on to the news media or to develop our own news release. We rely on faculty and staff members to be our eyes and ears, and to bring us story ideas we might otherwise miss about compelling research, high-profile public service, can’t-miss events and great stories about faculty, staff, alumni and students. Please don’t assume that we know about your news and events. What makes news? A story must be timely or say something new about a topic that has been covered before, and must be somewhat unique in order to catch an editor’s eye or ear. It must be relevant to the lives of their readers, viewers or listeners.
• Pass on a quick news or update items we can post on the Goshen College’s social media accounts.
• Suggest a story for The Bulletin, the college’s magazine, which is mailed to about 25,000 alumni and friends and also is available online.
• For the best publicity of events, please give us about four weeks advance notice, because we need to distribute news releases at least two weeks before an event.
• Always give us as much information as possible. That helps us write a better story and meet our deadlines.
• We frequently receive inquiries from local or national media about campus experts on current topics. We also seek to proactively make media aware of possible experts on campus for their stories. To do this most effectively, we need your help. Let us know what your areas of expertise are.