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Recruiting Participants: #HigherEd Digital Life

In what ways do higher education professionals utilize and participate in digital communication tools?

What leadership characteristics are shared by staff who participate in digital communication tools?

These are the research questions my colleague, Dr. Brian Bourke at Murray State University and I are exploring in #HigherEd Digital Life. The link for the survey is bit.ly/HigherEdDigitalLife.

The purpose of this research is to expand upon Ahlquist, 2015 research on Senior Student Affairs Officers on Social Media study. Findings were recently published in the New Directions in Student Services volume, Engaging the Digital Generation.
For this research, instead of just senior executives in student affairs, the study will include the digital experiences of all professionals in higher education, from new professionals to faculty, across organizational structures from HR to Enrollment Management, Alumni Affairs and beyond. Topics addressed in the survey include student connections, digital conflict, tools used, online communities and online professional development.
Again, please consider participating in the study as well as sharing this widely. We hope to gain a broad perspective of the digital lives of professionals across higher education.
**This project has been reviewed and approved by the Murray State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the protection of human subjects. Any questions about the rights as a research participant should be brought to the attention of the IRB coordinator at msu.irb@murraystate.edu.

About Josie

I’m Dr. Josie Ahlquist — digital engagement and leadership strategist, researcher, author, and educator. I help higher education professionals and mission-driven organizations harness the power of digital communication to lead with authenticity, build thriving online communities, and tell their stories with purpose.

Through my consulting work, I offer tailored, hands-on support in marketing and communications strategy, executive coaching, upskilling for teams, and keynote speaking. My approach is grounded in research and fueled by empathy, helping clients lead online with clarity and confidence.

You can follow my insights and interviews on my blog and podcast, with content featured by EdTech Magazine, Inside Higher Ed, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. I’m also the author of Digital Leadership in Higher Education (2020), an Amazon #1 New Release.

Let’s connect! You’ll find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and Bluesky.

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Rebekah Tilley

Assistant Vice President, University of Iowa Center for Advancement

Rebekah Tilley is the assistant vice president of communication and marketing for the University of Iowa Center for Advancement (UICA). In that role she supports fundraising and alumni engagement efforts for the university, including its CASE Gold winning Iowa Magazine, and serves UICA in a variety of strategic communication efforts.

Previously she was the director of strategic communication for the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business, and the director of communication for the University of Kentucky College of Law. She is a Kentucky native and a proud alum of the University of Kentucky.

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