Communications Alignment: Task Forces

Purpose

Task forces serve as the primary mechanism for gathering input, evaluating opportunities, and developing recommendations related to communications alignment at Colorado State University. 

Each task force has a defined charge, executive sponsorship, project coordination support, and expected deliverables.

The goal is to define the current landscape, identify opportunities, and develop recommendations for consideration by the Steering Committee and university leadership. This approach creates shared ownership of the process while ensuring broad representation across campus communications functions.

Recommendations from task forces will be reviewed by the Steering Committee and considered as part of the university’s broader alignment decision-making process.

Timeline: Task forces are meeting virtually or in person for approximately one hour every other week from August-November.

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Task forces: Focus areas and topics


Steering Committee

Focus: Overall coordination and strategic direction for the communications alignment process.
 
Topics:
  • Overall strategy and prioritization
  • Change management for communications alignment
  • Shared metrics and measurement framework
  • Coordination among task forces
  • Identification of integration opportunities
  • Review of recommendations from all task forces
  • Implementation priorities and dependencies
  • Alignment with university goals and leadership direction
  • Updates to campus leadership and communicators
 
Why this group exists: Successful alignment requires a coordinated, university-wide perspective to connect the work of the task forces, guide strategy and help translate recommendations into clear implementation priorities.

Task Force Members

*Tonie Miyamoto, Division of Student Affairs
*Julee Stephenson, Office of Engagement and Extension
Cassie Eliasson, Office of Admissions
Beth Etter, College of Liberal Arts
Megan Folmar, Division of Information Technology
Anna Gerber, College of Agricultural Sciences
Tiana Kennedy, University Marketing and Communications
Tracy Kile Schwartz, College of Health and Human Sciences
Rob Novak, Warner College of Natural Resources
Emily Wilmsen, Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering

*Co-chairs


Collaboration and culture 

Focus: Strengthening the communicator community while improving collaboration and support structures. 

Topics:

  • Internal communications flow between colleges, divisions, and administrative units  
  • Communicator onboarding  
  • CommNet structure, purpose, and effectiveness  
  • Shared professional development opportunities  
  • Mentorship programs  
  • Leadership development opportunities  
  • Career pathways and advancement opportunities  
  • Communities of practice/skills-based collaboration  
  • Informal networking and relationship-building opportunities  
  • One-stop-shop resources for communicators  
  • Annual communications planning and meeting cadence  

Why this task force exists: Alignment depends on a connected, supported communicator community with engaged work, professional development and growth opportunities. 


Task Force Members

*Kim Hillyer, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
*Tracy Kile Schwartz, College of Health and Human Sciences
Emily Kilburg, Office of International Programs
Christina Conner, College of Agricultural Sciences
Allison Vitt, Office of Engagement and Extension
Sean Kennedy, College of Business
Jeff Dodge, University Marketing and Communications
Nick Eppley, Division of Student Affairs, Campus Recreation
Jana Crouch, Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
Tara Howell, Office of Admissions


Recruitment communications 

Focus: Coordinating communications that support recruitment, enrollment, retention, and long-term audience relationships. 

Topics: 

  • Recruitment communications strategy  
  • Clarification of university, college, and department responsibilities  
  • Yield and melt communications  
  • Audience journey mapping  
  • Prospective students  
  • Applicants  
  • Admitted students  
  • Current students  
  • Audience segmentation  
  • Campaign planning  
  • Shared marketing priorities  

Why this task force exists: Prospective students, applications, admitted students and current students experience CSU as one institution. Greater alignment can improve recruitment, retention, engagement, and reputation. 


Task Force Members

*Cassie Eliasson, Office of Admissions
*Lisa Streeb Case, College of Natural Sciences
Rachel Gaisford, Orientation, Transition, and Family Programs
Nick Jurney, International Programs
Lynna Dicamillo, Graduate School
Marianne Wieghaus, Division of Student Affairs
Katie Peter, Lifelong Learning
Carmyn Ginnetti, Warner College of Natural Resources
Jen Smith, University Marketing and Communications


Brand and creative 

Focus: Building consistency and efficiency across visual identity, creative services, marketing assets, and paid media investments. 

Topics:

  • Brand governance  
  • Brand standards  
  • Reputation management  
  • Standards playbook development  
  • Tone and voice guidance  
  • Design standards  
  • Accessibility standards 
  • Template repositories  
  • Creative resource sharing  
  • Photography resources  
  • Videography resources  
  • Asset management  
  • Printing guidance and resources  
  • Annual brand asset packages  
  • Creative skills teams  

Why this task force exists: A unified brand and coordinated investments improve effectiveness, reduce duplication, and strengthen CSU’s reputation. 


Task Force Members

*Emily Wilmsen, Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
*Avery Martin, College of Health and Human Sciences
Ashlee Flynn, Office of Engagement and Extension
Dave Holmstrom, College of Business
Patrick Richardson, Division of Student Affairs
Monica McQuail, Warner College of Natural Resources
Katelyn Tomsick, Office of Admissions
Teddi Tostanoski, University Marketing and Communications
Jarad Heintzelman, University Marketing and Communications


Storytelling, content and channels 

Focus: Coordinating content creation, audience engagement, and channel strategy across the university. 

Topics: 

  • Content strategy  
  • Editorial planning  
  • Story development  
  • Story distribution  
  • Cross-campus story sharing  
  • SOURCE and institutional storytelling  
  • Newsletters and email communications  
  • Social media strategy  
  • Social media governance  
  • Channel evaluation and effectiveness  
  • Media relations  
  • Public relations  
  • Executive communications  
  • Leadership communications  
  • Web content governance  
  • Audience engagement strategies  
  • Shared content calendars  
  • Content performance analytics  

Why this task force exists: Strong storytelling requires coordination across content creators, channels, and audiences while preserving local interest, expertise and authentic voices. 


Task Force Members

*Anna Gerber, College of Agricultural Sciences
*Stacey Trunnell, College of Business
Coleman Cornelius, University Marketing and Communications
Josh Zaffos, College of Liberal Arts
Prairie Smallwood, Office of Admissions
Chris Outcalt, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Taryn Bradley, College of Natural Sciences
Abby Tynan, Division of Student Affairs, CSU Health Network
Cheyenne Dolin, Colorado State Forest Service
Adam D’Antonio, Office of Engagement and Extension
Ryan Pfeifer, Athletics


Systems, technology and AI

Focus: Identifying shared technology solutions, governance models, and future opportunities that support communicators across CSU. 

Topics:

  • Enterprise communications tools  
  • Technology inventories  
  • Gap analysis  
  • Platform governance  
  • Website ecosystem coordination  
  • CMS strategy  
  • Analytics infrastructure  
  • Asset management systems  
  • Project management tools  
  • Workflow optimization  
  • Technology integrations  
  • AI guidance and governance  
  • AI use cases and best practices  
  • Training and adoption strategies  
  • Resource hubs  
  • Knowledge management  
  • Future technology planning  

Why this task force exists: Technology decisions affect every communicator and represent one of CSU’s greatest opportunities for efficiency, consistency, innovation, and scale. 


Task Force Members

*Rob Novak, Warner College of Natural Resources
Katie Hightower, Division of Information Technology
Rachel Yager, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Bryan Johnson, College of Business
Joe Giordano, University Marketing and Communications
Nicolle McMurray, College of Liberal Arts
Sam Iven, College of Agricultural Sciences
Kory Swanson, Office of Engagement and Extension
Jen Reichle, College of Health and Human Sciences
Brenton Goodman, Division of Student Affairs


University Marketing & Communications

Focus: Define how central MarComm should evolve to provide the strategic leadership, accessible resources and collaborative partnership required for successful university-wide communications alignment. 

Topics:

  • MarComm’s internal structure, workflows, services and campus relationships.
  • Barriers for campus when engaging with the division.
  • Opportunities for stronger collaboration across MarComm teams and between MarComm and distributed communicators.  
  • Innovative practices, emerging capabilities and potential internal shifts needed to create a communications shop for the future. 

Why this task force exists: MarComm is part of the alignment. Alignment cannot succeed unless MarComm is positioned to provide a strong, collaborative foundation for it. As the central communications unit, MarComm must be able to set institutional direction, connect campus communicators to university priorities and provide resources that help teams work more efficiently and successfully.  


Task Force Members

At least one representative from each MarComm area: 

Kevin Samuelson, Social Media
Ron Bend, Video storytelling
Chrissi Alvarado, Organizational communications
Jayme DeLoss, Content, Editorial & Media
Todd Johns, Marketing and Brand Management
Beth Chapmon, Project Coordination 
Katy DeJonge, University & Community Engagement
Tyler Rayburn, Operations & IT
Christy Rood, Operations

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