August 13, 2025 | School of Humanities – Humanities Gateway 1030 & 1010
We look forward to seeing you at the inaugural Summer Communications Summit, hosted by the School of Humanities and SCPA.
If you have not yet RSVP’d, please reach out to JP and Kelly. And check out the frequently asked questions below!
Agenda
8:00-8:30 a.m. (HG 1030)
Breakfast | Coffee | Music | Mingling | Swag Table
Welcome from School of Humanities Dean Tyrus Miller and Communications Director Kelly Brown
Note: Morning sessions before lunch are reserved for School and Unit directors and SCPA leadership.
8:30-10:00 (HG 1030)
SCPA Panel – Strengthening Communications Across Campus
Organized by Directors Jaime DeJong (Arts) and Sarah Liebetrau (ICS)
Start the summit by engaging in a conversation with SCPA leadership from media relations, marketing and brand experience, and government and community relations.
The session format will include a brief introduction from Vice Chancellor Sherry Main to outline SPCA goals and challenges for the coming year, a panel discussion, and a Q & A to invite open dialogue and input from attendees.
Together, we will explore:
- How to maximize the way SPCA and functions work together
- Institutional positioning and audience prioritization in the current climate
- Brand and storytelling
10:00-11:00 (HG 1030)
Lightning Round Pep Rally
Organized by Director Tatiana Overly (Physical Sciences)
In this fast-paced, high-energy session, each academic communications director will take the stage for 3-minutes to showcase their team, brand identity, and a standout campaign or success story from the past year. It will be a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and campus pride!
11-11:30 (HG Courtyard)
Time for a break: Coffee + Tea
11:30-12:30 p.m. (HG 1030)
Running a Comms Team During Tough Budgetary Times
Organized by Directors Cheryl Bates (UCI Libraries) and JP Clark (Provost's Office)
Communications teams across UC Irvine vary in terms of size, budget, and priorities, but we're all looking to maximize the value of limited resources. After briefly reviewing presession survey results on how different units manage their comms work (staffing, tools, etc.), this session will highlight common challenges and best practices. The goal is to give comms teams a chance to interact, share resources and ideas, and explore opportunities for collaboration so they can better manage their time and budgets.
12:30-1:30 (HG Courtyard)
Lunch & mingling
1:30-2:00
- Web Accessibility Overview (HG 1030)
- Meet-and-greet for writers and social media staff (HG Courtyard)
Organized by Nikki Babri and Erica Winter (Humanities)
Connect with fellow writers and social media colleagues through fun, interactive games and activities. This lively networking session provides the perfect opportunity to get to know colleagues from across campus (and stretch your legs!).
2:00-3:00 Round I breakout sessions
- 1A: Website Accessibility hands-on session (HG 1010)
- 1B: Stories that Stick: Turning Research, People & Purpose into Impactful Content (HG 1030)
Organized by Directors Rachel Sampson (Education) & Katherine Hills
An interactive session for seasoned storytellers to share what’s working, what’s not, and discuss fresh ways to connect with our audiences.
3:00-3:30
Time for a break: dessert & cold brew coffee/tea
3:30-4:30 Round II breakout sessions
- 2A: Crisis Communications (HG 1010)
Mike Uhlenkamp, AVC, communications and media relations within the Strategic Communications and Public Affairs team will provide an overview of the support the team provides during crises from issues management to disaster and emergency management communications.
Attendees should bring their thoughts about what types of issues keep them up at night and participate in a Q&A session about how the Stratcom team can help support during times of crisis.
- 2B: Build your brand within the brand (HG 1030)
Shoba Spencer, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Brand Experience, will present on the new UC Irvine brand overview. The session will also include a roundtable with communications directors who have pursued their own "brand within a brand", and culminate with a workshop for all participants.
4:30-5:00 End of Day Wrap Up
Next steps & what did we learn?
Organized by Director Kelly Brown (Humanities)
5:00 Optional social hour at Eureka!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring swag to share?
Yes! We will have a couple of tables set up to showcase swag from across campus. Keep in mind that we may have upwards of 80 people in attendance; though you need not bring swag for everyone, we’d encourage you to bring whatever you can to share with the community (and we’ll make sure that there’s plenty out in the afternoon, too).
Who can attend the event?
The morning (8 AM until lunch) is reserved for communications directors and leadership from UC Irvine’s Strategic Communications. Lunch and after is open to staff from across campus. We especially encourage web/IT, writers, social media, and design staff to join at lunch and attend the afternoon sessions.
How much does it cost to attend the event?
Thanks to sponsorship by the School of Humanities and Strategic Communications, participation (aka, food) for directors is covered. We ask that each School plan to cover costs for all other staff members in attendance. Though we hope to minimize the costs for everyone, and ultimately not ask for any money, depending upon final participation we may need each School to send, via recharge, up to $50/person for staff participation. Again: We'll do our best to keep costs down, but may have to ask for small contributions from each School in order to potentially cover staff lunch and afternoon coffee break.
Are you in a School that would like to sponsor the afternoon coffee break for everyone? If so, please reach out to Kelly! This could help us eliminate the need for per person charges.
What is the meet-and-greet after lunch?
We’re still figuring out what activity we want to host during this time, but the short session is designed to continue fostering the community among our writers and social media managers. Don’t fit into one of these staff categories but want to come? Please do! You’re welcome.