Social Media Update: Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher Leading the Largest Collaborative Discussion of Public Higher Education in the Country

Albany - By convening thought leaders from around the country to discuss the challenges facing public higher education today, Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher is leading the largest collaborative discussion about public higher education in the country.
 
Through a series of statewide, public “conversations,” Zimpher is soliciting the public, policymakers, SUNY parents, students, faculty and alumni for ideas that will guide SUNY for the next five years and advise its development for the next decade. At a time when public higher education is at a crossroads in the United States, this type of public dialogue is unprecedented.
 
Harnessing an impressive array of social media tools to engage what she has branded, “Generation SUNY,” Chancellor Zimpher plans to use Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, webstreaming, blogs, and e-mail updates, to connect with everyone who has an interest in the future of SUNY.
 
Holding these statewide “conversations” in a highly collaborative and transparent way is a key piece of Zimpher’s strategy and she encourages everyone to become a part of “Generation SUNY” by:

Friending SUNY – <http://www.facebook.com/generationsuny>
Following SUNY – <http://www.twitter.com/generationsuny>
Watching SUNY – <http://www.youtube.com/generationsuny>

The first of seven statewide conversations took place at Hudson Valley Community College and focused on the theme of ensuring economic vitality and quality of life . The second conversation convenes Wednesday and is hosted by the University at Buffalo .
 
Additional information, including the ideas generated by the first conversation are available below.

Chancellor Zimpher blogged our working hypothesis that SUNY can play a central role in New York’s economic transformation and that Phase II of SUNY’s strategic planning efforts are well underway.
 
More than 200 people  converged at Hudson Valley Community College  to talk about a Big Audacious Goal – Economic Development and Quality of Life .

The Boston Foundation’s President and CEO Paul Grogan  discussed the economic impact and social benefit institutions of higher education have on the communities they serve.  
 
The 200 gathered in small groups and reported out the results of the conversation .

Stakeholders saw periodic updates at home ...

...as they watched the live webcast .

Carol Colletta, president and CEO of CEOs for Cities spoke about the education dividend as a way to move the dial and improve quality of life.

and Chancellor Zimpher summarized it all here.

Interested stakeholders can stay engaged in the statewide conversations, including the second one taking place in Buffalo, NY on Wednesday, November 4, by using Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Facebook users can utilize the discussion board found at www.facebook.com/generationsuny.

Twitter users can be a part of the conversations live by tweeting @generationsuny and using the tag #SUNYconvo in their tweets.

YouTube users can tune in after the conversation to see reflections of those who were there and a thorough recap by the Chancellor.

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