A SmallFest Success
Congratulations to the entire FallFest Planning Committee for pulling off this year’s virtual version of FallFest, aka SmallFest! Since March, the committee created scenarios for multiple versions of FallFest, rolling with changing information, and working with student organizations and the campus community to figure out ways to create an engaging event.
As the situation on campus evolved, the team decided to transition SmallFest to an entirely virtual campus involvement fair and series of events from August 24-28. SmallFest Films, featuring recruitment messages from student organizations on YouTube (go.unc.edu/SmallFestFilms), launched throughout the week. Then on Friday, Student Life & Leadership hosted The SmallFest Student Organization Showcase on HeelLife that brought students and student organizations together.
So let’s check out a few numbers!
- More than 200 Student Organizations participated in SmallFest or SmallFest Films
- 597 students met with student organizations
- 6,560 video views for SmallFest Films, from 700 unique viewers
- 62,699 impressions on SmallFest social media posts, meaning there was a lively conversation happening around student involvement!
CCS also overhauled the FallFest (SmallFest) website, giving it a modernized look via SAIT’s new WordPress platform. Check it out at fallfest.unc.edu. The new platform has lots of cool capabilities, and CCS is looking forward to partnering with SAIT on more projects like this one!
Meet the New Board
Congratulations to the Board of Directors and chair Darian Abernathy for kicking off the year with their first board meeting being held virtually! There are lots of new board members this year, and we’re excited to see this group help lead the Union through an unprecedented year! Learn more about Darian and her vision for the upcoming year at the Union here.
SLL Programming Continues
Quick reminder that Student Life & Leadership continues to host great virtual programming. Please tune into their podcast, HeelTalks, at anchor.fm/heeltalksunc and check out their LEAD Challenge Series at go.unc.edu/lead-diy. Both programs are great for students and staff, so please recommend to anyone who might be interested in great leadership trainings and stories!
We’ll Miss You, Shauna!
A warm Union farewell to Dr. Shauna Harris, who has taken on the position of Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at UNC’s School of Education. Shauna, we are so grateful for all you have done for the Union. We wish you success in your new role and know that you will continue to make a meaningful impact on students’ lives! And come visit us!
Reopening Communications
As mentioned, this issue of SOTCU is spotlighting the Communications & Creative Services Team. So let’s start by thanking them for their hard work preparing building communications that ensured a smooth re-opening. CCS staff designed and produced signage, created graphics and messages for social media, and filmed no less than 9 videos to help make sure all employees and visitors understood building procedures and safety measures.
CCS Students Landing Jobs
CCS is proud that so many of its students and graduating seniors found great internships and jobs over the summer! Part of CCS’s mission is to provide experiences for students that position them for job opportunities. Photographer Vanesa Cuevas landed a summer internship with Microsoft (and has already been invited back!) Comms assistant Meg O’Shaughnessy got an internship in publishing with Algonquin Books. Videographer Jeremiah Rhodes spent the summer as a fellow with the Texas Tribune. And videographer Spencer Zachary recently landed a fulltime job with Cary-based Broadcast Experts.
The students credit CCS for helping them hone marketable skills that are attractive to employers. Jeremiah Rhodes said: “My career in video production and film had always been focused on me and my ideas and passions. Working at the Union was a chance to really get client experience, where you are focused the story of others. It was doing things that were not just mine to keep but for other people, other groups. There’s a beautiful lesson in versatility in that.”
Augmented Reality Expert
Graphic Designer Keven Lewis has been hard at work honing his skills with motion graphics and Facebooks augmented reality software, and it has paid off with several social media filters that have been launched at Union events. The Union had a special cupcake filter at the spring Treat Yo’Self and also created a filter for SmallFest. Give CCS a shout if you want a custom filter for your next event!
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New GPSF Partners
The CCS team was also excited to earn praise from their new clients/friends at the Graduate and Professional Student Federation for their recent videography and photography shoot. The short video told the story of GPSF’s agenda for this year and is posted on their website: gpsf.unc.edu/
Award Winners!
CCS took home Honorable Mention in ACUI’s “Steal This Idea” competition for multiple-page publications category! The winning piece showcased CCS’s design and photography services as we highlighted five years of work at the Carolina Union. The Five-Year Review publication was a true team effort, with many of the CCS professional and student staff contributing!
CCS Says Thank You Ops
The CSS team also wants to give a special shout to the operations and housekeeping teams, as well as all employees who helped with our building’s reopening. We consider ourselves lucky to work with a group of professionals who keep us safe!
Birthdays!
A few staff members recently celebrated their big day or have one coming up! Send a virtual cupcake to:
• The’Shaun Jones (9/5)
• Bonita Brown (8/19)
• Anthony Wright (8/9)
Work-a-versaries!
Say congratulations to the following for recently celebrating their work anniversaries:
• Victoria Boykin
• Shakeya Ducksworth
• Drew Guiteras
• Keith Hines
• Yolanda Jefferson
• Bobby Kunstman
• Zoila Rivas
• Erick Twaite
• Jared Ward