25 Ideas, Clues, and Tips to Find Storytellers who can help your School Grow

1. New Students (Orientation/First Year Reflection) – New students, especially during orientation or after their first semester, are often enthusiastic about their decision to attend the university and can share their early experiences.
2. Graduation (Seniors Reflecting) – Graduating students are at a pivotal point in their academic journey and are likely to reflect on their growth, key moments, and the university’s role in shaping their future.
3. Alumni Milestones (Reunions, Anniversaries) – Alumni who return for reunions or celebrate specific graduation anniversaries often have fond memories and impactful stories about how the university shaped their personal and professional lives.
4. Scholarship Recipients – Students who receive scholarships can share how financial support has helped them achieve their academic goals, and why they are grateful for the opportunity.
5. Study Abroad Participants – Students returning from study abroad programs often have transformative experiences to share about how global exposure influenced their academic and personal growth.
6. Research Opportunities (Faculty and Students) – Faculty and students involved in groundbreaking research often have stories of collaboration, innovation, and discovery that showcase the university’s contributions to advancing knowledge.
7. Student Athletes (Achievements and Reflections) – Student athletes, especially after key wins or championships, can share stories of teamwork, resilience, and how their experience as athletes shaped their education and future.
8. Professors (Awarded or Promoted Faculty) – Faculty members who have received awards, tenure, or promotions have a platform to reflect on their academic journey and the university’s role in supporting their teaching and research.
9. Retiring Faculty and Staff – Those retiring from the university, whether faculty or staff, often have years of stories to share about the university’s evolution, student success, and their personal experiences within the institution.
10. Club Leaders or Organization Presidents – Students leading clubs or campus organizations have powerful stories of leadership, community-building, and creating impact within the student body.
11. Service Learning Participants – Students involved in community service or service-learning projects can share how giving back to the community enriched their education and shaped their values.
12. Major Donors or Endowed Chairs – Major donors, especially those funding scholarships, research, or building projects, can tell stories about why they support the university and the impact they hope to see.
13. Internship and Co-op Participants – Students who have completed internships or co-op programs often have transformative experiences to share about how the university prepared them for real-world opportunities.
14. Parents (Of Current Students or Alumni) – Parents of students or alumni can provide unique perspectives on how the university impacted their children and their pride in the educational journey.
15. Career Success Stories (Alumni) – Alumni who have achieved significant career milestones are often eager to share how their education played a critical role in their professional success.
16. University Partners (Industry or Research Collaborators) – Companies, foundations, or organizations that partner with the university on research, internships, or other initiatives can share stories about the benefits of the collaboration and the impact on students.
17. Campus Event Attendees (Speakers, Performers, Participants) – High-profile speakers, performers, or notable event attendees often have meaningful stories about their experiences at the university, which can attract attention to the institution’s vibrancy.
18. Student Government Leaders – Students involved in governance or campus advocacy can provide stories about shaping policies or improving student life, which showcases leadership and civic engagement.
19. First-Generation Students – First-generation college students often have profound stories about the challenges they’ve overcome and the university’s role in helping them achieve their academic goals.
20. Transfer Students (Post-Transition Reflections) – Transfer students, once they’ve settled in, often have stories of resilience, adaptation, and what led them to choose this university over others.
21. Dean’s List and Academic Honors – Students who achieve academic excellence by making the Dean’s List or receiving other academic honors often feel proud of their hard work and are excited to share their journey. A list of honorees can be easily pulled from academic records each semester.
22. Alumni Who Return for Graduate Programs – Alumni who return to the university for a second degree (graduate or professional) have a strong connection to the institution. Their decision to continue their education at the same university is a great prompt for stories about loyalty and trust in the university’s programs. The admissions office can easily track these individuals.
23. Faculty Who Secure Major Research Grants or Fellowships – Faculty members who secure competitive research grants or fellowships are ideal storytellers to showcase the university’s academic prestige and research capabilities. These grant announcements are often public and can be used to create a list of potential storytellers.
24. Students Receiving Study Grants or Fellowships – Students who receive prestigious study grants or fellowships, such as Fulbright or Rhodes scholarships, have inspiring stories about their academic and personal ambitions. The university’s scholarship or financial aid office can identify these recipients.
25. Students or Faculty Who Publish Research or Articles – When students or faculty publish academic papers, articles, or creative works in notable journals or media outlets, it’s a great opportunity to share their insights and how the university supported their research or creative process. Tracking recent publications makes it easy to compile a list of these individuals.

Strategies for Collecting Stories:

• Create Awareness of Key Milestones: Set reminders or notifications within your systems to alert administrators to these moments (graduation, promotions, anniversaries, etc.).
• Make Storytelling Invitations Personal: Reach out to individuals at these key moments with personalized invitations to share their stories. Highlight how their perspective is valuable and can inspire others.
• Incorporate Reflection into Regular Programs: For example, include storytelling prompts in alumni newsletters, graduation events, or scholarship thank-you letters.
• Celebrate Achievements Publicly: Feature standout stories during university events, in publications, or on social media to encourage others to share their experiences.

These moments and events provide a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences, helping the university build a story bank that showcases its diverse community and the impact it has on students, faculty, alumni, and the broader world.

‍