Circles of Excellence

UIC Circles of Excellence serves our nearly 200 marketing and communications partners across campus. Spearheaded by UIC Strategic Marketing and Communications, Circles of Excellence is an opportunity to go deeper in curated sessions about communications, storytelling, brand, creative and digital marketing and engagement with team experts.

As a complement to and extension of Weekly Communicators Circle, where lead communicators and marketers across campus engage with Strategic Marketing and Communications every Wednesday afternoon, Circles of Excellence aims to align communications and equip every communicator with a toolbox of best practices, resources and support to inform, inspire and engage all audiences for the elevation of UIC.

Through a series of dedicated sessions — both in person and virtual — participants will find:

• Engaging presentations: Learn from experts and thought leaders in various fields who will share their insights and experiences.
• In-depth training sessions: Participate in hands-on training to gain practical skills and knowledge applicable to your role.
• Panel discussions: Join discussions with industry professionals and fellow colleagues to explore current communication trends and best practices.
• Best practice resources: Access valuable resources you can use in your daily work for better effectiveness and efficiency.

Media Relations Circle of Excellence: An Introduction to The Conversation

What: An overview of The Conversation, a platform that connects academics with the public through articles written for a general audience. Participants will learn how to use The Conversation to increase research visibility, contribute to vital public discussions and more. As part of this presentation, a representative from The Conversation will join to discuss their processes, answer questions and give tailored advice.

When: Nov. 19, 10-11:30 a.m. 
Where: Webinar registration
Who should attend: Campus communicators, faculty

Please save the dates of these future sessions. Strategic Marketing and Communications will share registration and more information about these sessions early next year.

• Feb. 20, 2025: Digital Platforms Circle of Excellence — From Search to Success: Leveraging AI to Revolutionize UIC’s Online Presence
• April 9, 2025: Social Media Circle of Excellence — Social Strategy Simplified: Hands-On Goal Setting, Content Planning and Measurement Made Easy
• Aug. 7, 2025: Digital Engagement Circle of Excellence — Maximizing Your Email Marketing

We encourage communicators and team members responsible for communications and marketing in all areas to join Circles of Excellence. Your involvement is crucial to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement at UIC. For inquiries or further information, please reach out at smcs@uic.edu.