Communication Resources & Tools
Whether sharing a story, updating a website, or just trying to find (or take) the right photo—we’ve got you covered. These pages are your go-to spot for Student Affairs tools, tips, and templates to communicate clearly and to promote your activities. This is your shortcut to doing great work more efficiently—and effectively.
Who should use this site?
If you’re a professional or student employee in:
- Student Affairs administration
- Student Success and Belonging
- Student Advocacy
- Other areas of Student Affairs
…then this site was made with you in mind!
Before you get started. Connect with central communications team to create a plan that includes tone, audience, goals, topic areas, and events to elevate. Communication plans are reviewed at each biannual meeting.
Communications Request
Submit a communications request to the Student Affairs Communications team.
Branding
Branding is more than logos—it’s how we communicate who we are and what we stand for. This section connects you to UW–Madison and Student Affairs branding resources, including logos, photos, and guides to maintain consistency across communications.
UW–Madison brand guidelines
Before requesting or creating a new logo: Contact your program’s communicator
Student Affairs branding overview
Media Relations
Media inquiries offer a chance to showcase the positive impact of Student Affairs programs, but they require accurate, timely responses and coordination to ensure stakeholders are informed and staff disruption is minimized.
Student Affairs
If you need help with media relations: Contact your program’s communicator
Website content and management
Your website is often the first impression people have of your department. This section offers guidance on writing for the web, maintaining accessibility, and partnering with Central Communications for reviews and analytics.
Support resources (Central Comms)
Central Communications will help facilitate the conversation with the Center for User Experience, who will provide an overview and review for your site.
Departmental responsibilities
Before you start a web page or section: Connect with the central communications team
Content planning
Effective communication starts with intentional planning. This section helps you clarify your goals, define your audience, and build a sustainable workflow for your content. Whether you’re reaching students, alumni, or internal stakeholders, having a clear strategy ensures your message lands with impact.
Getting started
- Clarify your why – you can come back to them to be sure you align with the original goals.
- Have a plan (what, for whom, how often, and for what purpose), including who will do what
- Audience
- Internal
- Students
- Alumni/donors
- Parents & families
Political activity and public advocacy on campus
Stay sharp with legal and policy reminders, tips for cross-promotion, and planning tools to keep your content fresh and focused.
Design and visual identity
Visual storytelling helps bring our work to life. This section includes design request protocols, branding tools, and photography guidance to help you create compelling, inclusive visuals that reflect our values.
Design resources
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Graphic design requests
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Campus design tools and templates
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Campus design tips and guidance
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Applying the brand
Visual identity
If you need design help: Connect with the central communications team
Photography
Visual storytelling helps bring our work to life. This section includes design request protocols, branding tools, and photography guidance to help you create compelling, inclusive visuals that reflect our values.
To request photography, submit a communications request.
Resources and downloads
Access templates, branding guides, training modules, and policies to support your communications work. These resources are designed to help you stay aligned with campus standards and streamline your workflow.
Campus training modules
Communities of Practice
Student Affairs onboarding guides
For new departmental communications contacts (coming soon)
- Overview of Student Affairs and resources
- Who we are, what we do, how we do it
Other resources
Student Affairs Resources
UW–Madison resources
Communications Staff
For support with central communications, campus partners, and cross-campus collaboration
For support with the Office of Student Transition and Family Engagement Programs
For support with Student Success and Belonging and Student Advocacy Programs
For support with Eloqua, WiscWeb 2.0, advancement, and assessment.
Social media
Social media is where our stories come to life—and where students, staff, and the campus community connect with us in real time. This section is your launchpad for creating on-brand content that reflects the purpose and personality of Student Affairs and is aligned with UW–Madison guidance and goals for engagement.
Campus tools and resources
From branding guidelines to tone-setting docs, Canva templates to comms planning tools—everything you need to build smart, strategic content is right here.
Student Affairs tools and resources