Overview

he College of Engineering Marketing & Communications (MarComm) team is charged with raising the visibility of the college and increasing engagement with our many audiences, primarily through college-level presence on digital platforms such as the college website, social media, and news and public relations distribution channels. 
The MarComm team is available to consult on projects for Engineering departments and offices. Please see “Request for Assistance” section of this guide for more information. 

Contacts

Kelley Monterusso – Director of Communications and Marketing Strategy
Office Location: 1410 B – Engineering Building
Phone: (517) 353-8512
Email: monteru3@msu.edu 

Patricia Mroczek – Communications & Media Manager
Office Location: 1410 A – Engineering Building
Phone (810) 240-1889
Email: mroczekp@msu.edu 

Kendra Horvath – Digital Marketing Specialist
Office Location 1410 D – Engineering Building
Phone: (517) 884-8423
Email: horvat65@msu.edu 

EGR Communications Forum

The EGR Communications Forum was established in August 2021 as a venue for updates on priority MarComm projects and resources​ as well as coordinated opportunities to provide input, ask questions, and discuss current and emerging needs. Monthly Forum meetings held via Microsoft Teams include point personnel from departments and offices across the college. Meeting recordings, presentations, and additional materials are provided to Forum participants via a Microsoft Teams group.  

If you would like more information on the EGR Communications Forum, please contact Kelley Monterusso (monteru3@msu.edu) or Kendra Horvath (horvat65@msu.edu).  

***Request for Assistance (need link to form)

The MarComm team is available to College of Engineering faculty and staff for consultation on small to large-scale projects. Please complete and submit the Request for Assistance form to be connected with the appropriate MarComm team member. Anticipated response time is one to two business days. If your need is urgent, please contact Kelley Monterusso (monteru3@msu.edu). 

Consultation is available for the following: 

  • Story development and dissemination  
  • Public and media relations 
  • Crisis communications 
  • Website and social media presence 
  • Logos and branding 
  • Photography and videography 
  • Graphic design 
  • Digital and print materials 
  • Custom projects 
  • Accessibility 
External Partners

The MarComm team is charged with project management duties for college level projects. To ensure access to resources is readily available to departments and offices across the college, a network of recommended external service providers is available on a pay-for-service basis. Charges incurred are the responsibility of the department or office. For assistance identifying appropriate providers or obtaining a project quote, please complete and submit the Request for Assistance for fastest service or contact Kelley Monterusso (monteru3@msu.edu) to schedule a consultation.  

Service providers include: 

Photography (see Photo/Video Release section for important information)

Videography (see Photo/Video Release section for important information) 

Graphic Design 

Writing/editing 

Printing

Accessibility (Section 508 Compliance) 

  • Appligent Document Solutions 
    Mary Anne Paoletti 
    Accessibility Services Manager 
    www.appligent.com  
    22 East Baltimore Avenue 
    Lansdowne, PA  19050 
    Mpaoletti@appligent.com  
    610-284-4006 (office) 
    484-343-4373 (cell) 

Brand

MSU's brand is what students, parents, alumni, academic peers, partners, communities, and corporations think, feel, and respond to when they hear the words or see the symbols for Michigan State University. A strong brand is the most valuable intangible asset any organization owns and should achieve the following: 

  • Communicates clearly what the organization stands for 
  • Is credible, reflecting reality and aspirations 
  • Connects emotionally with its audiences 
  • Motivates the target audience to take action  
  • Creates loyalty 

The MSU Brand Guide is for general use and includes the following: 

  • Brand Basics (What is brand and why does MSU need one?) 
  • Editorial Guidance (tone, telling brand stories, messaging by audience, using SPARTANS WILL tagline, MSU boilerplate text, MSU creation story, editorial style guide) 
  • MSU Design Elements (typography, color palette, graphic elements, photographic style) 
  • MSU Logos (Guidelines for use, downloads) 

Readily available MSU brand fonts are Arial (sans serif), Helvetica (sans serif), Garamond or Adobe Garamond Pro (serif), and Times New Roman (serif). Gotham, Californian, and Liberator fonts are available only on a limited basis. To maintain visual integrity, no more than three fonts should be used in a single product or piece with a minimum font size of 10.  

For questions regarding font, please contact Kendra Horvath (horvat65@msu.edu). 

***Engineering Logos & Assets (need downloadable logos)

Downloadable engineering logos, brand assets & templates – Kendra 

MSU Writing/Editorial Standards

MSU Editorial Style Guide 

This guide was developed for use by anyone creating nonacademic print or electronic text pertaining to Michigan State University. It follows the most current editions of The Associated Press Stylebook and Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary unless superseded by entries in this guide. 

MSU Boilerplate/Description

The MSU boilerplate is standardized language that briefly describes Michigan State University and its priorities. Both short and long versions may be used by all units. 

***College of Engineering Boilerplate (need to complete)

[Need Content]

***College of Engineering Templates

PowerPoint Presentations 
Flyers 
Brochures (Bifold & Trifold) 
Event & Announcement Posters 
Academic Posters 
Invitations  
Engineering Zoom backgrounds  
Email signature 
Logo for each department  
- Including Video logo animations (CoRe done) 
Award Certificate 
Email/e-newsletter Header 
Faculty Profile Template 

Logo Items

Only officially licensed manufacturers with Michigan State University may reproduce items bearing the university name, logo(s) and other trademarks and indicia. This applies to T-shirts and other merchandise made for on-campus use (university departments and registered student organizations) and for third parties. Licensed manufacturers have been vetted for product quality and carry required product liability insurance. In addition, all licensees are required to comply with fair labor codes. 

Visit https://licensing.msu.edu/campus-use/find-a-licensee.html for more information.  

For assistance obtaining a College of Engineering logo, please contact Kendra Horvath (horvat65@msu.edu).  

News and Media Relations Procedures

Engineering marketing and communications (EGR MarComm) is dedicated to amplifying college news and storytelling using traditional media and digital platforms. We manage strategic communications that showcase how engineering faculty, staff, students and alumni tackle the grand challenges of our time and work to bring science and innovation into everyday life and living. We also help to build our reputation as a leading research university by communicating with stakeholders in our local, regional, national and international communities.  

EGR MarComm news and media priorities: 

  • Raise the visibility of the College of Engineering both internally and externally through news stories and information  
  • Select story ideas that are most likely to make an impact and gain attention of national and other audiences  
  • Promote college news and stories for placement on MSU media platforms  
  • Cultivate relationships with faculty, staff and students for high visibility roles in the media and other public stages 

Story Development 

  • Review story suggestions from faculty, staff and students 
  • Receive requests from the Dean’s Office, department chairs and others 
  • Develop story ideas for MSUToday to showcase the individual strength, collective power and extraordinary impact of Spartan Engineers  
  • Amplify stories from MSUToday, other colleges and media that feature Spartan Engineers  
  • News items not developed into full features are directed to social media and other channels such as "Getting to Know," internal updates, etc. 

Responding to Media

University Communications has sole responsibility for issuing official statements and representing MSU and its units to media, and the university spokesperson and deputy spokesperson are uniquely authorized to speak on behalf of the institution. The College of Engineering collaborates with and seeks guidance from University Communications for media inquiries as appropriate.   
 
Official statements representing the College of Engineering are made by the Dean’s Office. The Engineering MarComm staff members are available to assist faculty and staff who are contacted by media. Please call 517-432-1303 or email mroczekp@msu.edu for assistance. Please have the following details available:

  • Name of the outlet and reporter 
  • Date and time of conversation 
  • Summary of questions and main points of the responses provided 
  • Anticipated date of article publication, if possible 

Any administrator, faculty or staff member contacted by the media concerning personnel matters, policy, fiscal operations, emergency situations or compliance with regulations and statues should refer the inquiry to University Communications at media@msu.edu. 

There are opportunities for Engineering faculty to connect with major media outlets as subject matter experts in the form of analysis, commentary, and op-eds. The media list includes national, regional, and local outlets – including statewide publications and television stations. The college also works with media representing a variety of professional engineering organizations on a regular basis. For assistance, please contact Engineering Marketing and Communications at 517-432-1303 or mroczekp@msu.edu. 

Proactive Media Relations 

Engineering Marketing and Communications collaborates with University Communications to amplify College of Engineering news. Major news categories include: 

  • Research results that advance knowledge and demonstrate world-class quality and innovation; additional criteria to consider, includes research that has: been published in a peer-reviewed journal within the last three months (but not pitched to media) national/global impact or a strong state news angle an MSU researcher as the lead author; however, if MSU is not the lead author, Engineering MarComm staff will coordinate with partner institutions on publicity as appropriate 
  • Application of knowledge in ways that address social and global problems and improve quality of life 
  • Major grants, awards and partnerships that reflect MSU’s excellence, demonstrate its value as a go-to partner and illustrate its capacity for progress  
  • International activity that demonstrates the breadth and stature of MSU’s global engagement and the significance of its global role 
  • Economic development activity that shows MSU is an essential driver of competitiveness, quality of life and prosperity in Michigan and among the elite research universities that will help shape the future of U.S. competitiveness 
  • Distinctions and innovations (first, best, only): ways in which MSU is using creative approaches and intelligent risk taking to set the standard for higher education 
  • Student experiences and opportunities that are exceptional and reinforce one or more of the priority areas listed above 
  • High-level awards (NSF CAREER Awards, national honors by professional associations, etc.) and high-level MSU honors (Faculty awards; Beal Awards; and certain College awards (Withrow; Top Scholar, etc.) 
  • Top-tier rankings (i.e., Times Higher Ed, U.S. News & World Report) – news value is determined based on MSU’s year-over-year performance 
  • A small number of carefully selected events and activities based on news value and their alignment with the priorities listed above 
MSU News & Media Platforms
MSUToday Major external news website for the university that includes Faculty Voice and Student Voice editorial and opinion features
Inside MSU Twice a week email to faculty and staff on campus 

Daily Update & 

Wednesday Weekly 

MSU e-newsletters sent to large public mailing lists on campus and externally (i.e., alumni, faculty, staff, friends, etc.) 
Social Media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and LinkedIn- MSU’s priority social media sites 

 

College of Engineering News & Media Platforms
College Website Major external news website for the college
Digital Publications Quarterly e-newsletter 
Social Media Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn (Chat Group) 
EGR Intranet Internal news and resources for college faculty and staff 

 

Photo/Video Release

Video and photos must be covered by university public use standards or have signed authorization for use on the website, social media platforms, print and other uses. The Michigan State University Release and Waiver form is required for video and photography projects.

Media Release Forms

For assistance or referrals to photographers, please contact Pat Mroczek (mroczekp@msu.edu) or Kendra Horvath (horvat65@msu.edu). 

Photo & Video Assets

To access available College of Engineering Photos, go to https://www.photos.egr.msu.edu. All department logos have their own video package complete with start and logo end frames (each logo variation). Photo and Video Guides are also available on capturing footage. Please contact Kendra Horvath (horvat65@msu.edu) with questions. 

Social Media – Pat & Kendra

Description of social media platforms managed by team 
Guidance for posting on platforms (use Social@MSU guidance and include photo and FERPA release details) 
Links to EGR social accounts  
Links to MSU social accounts

Website

The College of Engineering website is moving from Drupal to the Sitecore platform. Please contact the MarComm team with questions related to the website. 

Holidays & Days of Recognition

In addition to engineering specific days of recognition, the College of Engineering MarComm team will follow the lead of University Communications for content creation and content amplification on digital platforms related to holidays and special days of acknowledgement. University Communications consults with MSU’s Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives to make these decisions.

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