This month, Duke University launched a new tradition: the “Insights Summit,” designed to address the evolving landscape of higher education. Over 200 communications and marketing professionals met at Penn Pavilion to connect, share ideas, and face challenges together.
Frank Tramble, the university’s vice president of communications, opened the event by highlighting the collective experience in the room—over 1,354 years in total. “The passion and creativity here are inspiring,” he said. The summit’s theme, “One Duke, Many Voices: Shared Purpose,” aimed to foster collaboration among campus communicators.
The morning featured the “Blueprint Series,” similar to TED talks, focusing on skills development, strategic communications, and incorporating tools like ChatGPT into their work.
A significant moment of the summit featured Duke President Vincent Price. During a fireside chat, he shared his vision for the university. “Our goal is to support our people and communities,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of creative approaches amid the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. “Community is essential, even in tough political climates,” he added.
Collaboration was a key theme throughout the summit. Duke Marketing and Communications partnered with Duke Health to highlight successful storytelling efforts. One notable example was the “Research Saves Lives” campaign, showcasing the impact of university research on actual lives.
Popular professor Aaron Dinin, known for his engaging teaching style and social media presence, delivered the keynote address. Dinin stressed that effective storytelling must offer value, not just self-promotion. He illustrated this point with a personal story about his daughter, connecting the university’s mission to real-world outcomes.
Following Dinin, Trudy Sullivan Stoudamire, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Duke Health, introduced “The Four I’s Framework.” This approach—initiative, inquisitiveness, intentionality, and inspiration—aims to enhance communication across the university. “Never give up, no matter what,” she encouraged the audience, echoing the messages of hope and teamwork emphasized throughout the day.
In addition to insightful discussions, the summit also celebrated achievements. Awards were given to outstanding communicators for various contributions. Notable winners included Alainna Liloia from Learning Innovation and Andrea Martin from the School of Medicine, celebrated for their respective roles in enhancing the university’s presence and impact.
Overall, the Insights Summit aimed to not just navigate the challenges of higher education but to foster a supportive community that thrives on shared stories and collective goals. With evolving technologies and societal shifts, events like this remind us of the importance of unity and collaboration in reaching a brighter future.
For more insights into communication strategies in higher education, you can explore resources from the [Pew Research Center](https://www.pewresearch.org) and their ongoing studies on social media’s impact on education.
