In this insightful episode, live from the HighEdWeb 2024 conference, Mallory sat down with Jessica Pontarelli, Assistant Director of Communications at Brown University. Jessica shares her expertise on how universities can navigate the challenges of communicating civic engagement in a polarized landscape. With a focus on the power of storytelling, hope, and positive messaging, Jessica offers actionable advice for higher ed professionals tackling these issues on their campuses.

Key Takeaways:

• Polarization often leads to personalization of ideologies, making disagreements feel like personal attacks.
• Universities should prioritize telling positive stories, even amidst challenging times, to create a balanced narrative.
• Leveraging the "power of hope" can help communicators connect with their audience during difficult conversations.
• Civic engagement on college campuses is increasing, and institutions must find ways to foster unity while respecting diverse viewpoints.

What is polarization, and why is it important for colleges to address it?
Jessica explains that polarization occurs when people move towards extreme ideological positions, often leading to a breakdown in dialogue and connections across differences. This issue is especially prevalent in today's higher education landscape, where campuses are often the epicenters of civic engagement and protests. For universities, addressing polarization is essential because it impacts campus unity and the overall student experience. Jessica highlights that while each campus has unique dynamics, the broader trend of heightened civic engagement presents challenges that require thoughtful communication strategies.

How can universities communicate effectively in a polarized landscape?
Jessica emphasizes the importance of storytelling, particularly focusing on positive narratives. She mentions the "good news effect" and constructive journalism as tools that can help balance the difficult issues universities must address. While it's crucial to acknowledge the hard realities, communicators should also highlight the good happening on campus. This can help foster a sense of connection and hope among students, faculty, and the broader community. By telling stories of success, progress, and community impact, universities can create a more constructive dialogue, even in divisive times.

What advice does Jessica offer for communicators navigating polarization?
Jessica’s key piece of advice is to "yield to the power of hope." She believes that, despite the challenges of polarization, people fundamentally want to see others succeed and do well. As a communicator, it's essential to tap into that shared desire for positive outcomes by continuing to tell hopeful and constructive stories. Additionally, Jessica stresses the importance of building connections through stories that encourage action and engagement, rather than merely focusing on the negative aspects of societal or campus issues.

Why should higher education professionals attend the HighEdWeb conference?
As a regular attendee, Jessica praises the HighEdWeb conference for its collaborative and supportive environment. She values the wide range of topics covered, which provide valuable insights that attendees can take back to their campuses. The conference offers something for everyone, from communicators to web professionals, and fosters a sense of community among those working in higher ed.To dive deeper into how colleges can communicate civic engagement in a polarized world, listen to the full episode featuring Jessica Pontarelli. Her insights into storytelling and the power of hope are invaluable for higher education professionals.

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Mallory Willsea 
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