PCC Utilizing Facebook to Help Keep Public Informed

WINTERVILLE�Budget restrictions resulting from a statewide budget shortfall has led Pitt Community College to find new ways of keeping the community informed while reaching out to potential students.

Earlier this year, North Carolina legislators cut out community college advertising budgets statewide as a cost-saving measure. As a result, PCC marketing and communications personnel have utilized a social networking website as a new medium for keeping the public informed.

Pitt, which has reverted nearly $1 million to the state since September and has lost another $1.48 million as a result of spending freezes, launched a facebook page in January. As of this week, 267 facebook users have become fans of the college.

�Schools across the country have been using social networking sites, such as facebook, for quite some time as recruiting tools and to get the word out to the students they already serve,� said Rob Goldberg, PCC�s communications specialist. �North Carolina�s economic downturn prompted us to look for cost-efficient ways of effectively communicating with our students and, hopefully, reaching people who may be considering higher education.�

Goldberg said PCC�s marketing and communications staff continually  monitor the school�s facebook page and update it with the latest photos, news and information on special events and athletic contests.

He said postings on facebook would not supplant information on the college�s official website (www.pittcc.edu) but would enhance the information-sharing process instead.

�PCC�s website has all of the information current and future students will ever need,� Goldberg said. �We�re continually updating and improving our website to make sure people are aware of the activities and educational services we offer, particularly at a time when so many are seeking higher education to help them keep up with the changing demands of today�s workforce. Facebook is simply another method of keeping people informed.�

Facebook users can become fans of PCC�s page by searching for �Pitt Community College, Greenville, North Carolina� on the site.

05/27/2009