Eric Stoller - Writing, Speaking, Consulting - Higher Education http://ericstoller.com/blog | higher education | technology | consulting | Sat, 12 May 2012 16:26:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Be Different, Be Daring, Be Bold http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/04/27/be-different-be-daring-be-bold/ http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/04/27/be-different-be-daring-be-bold/#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:59:02 +0000 Eric Stoller http://ericstoller.com/blog/?p=2152 On a whim, I picked up a copy of the recent edition of the Atlantic while in a long-forgotten airport terminal. The cover provoked me by implying that Facebook was making us lonely. Always looking for things that challenge my thinking, I gladly dove into the magazine. Surprisingly, the article that really resonated with me the most in the mag was a profile of Jonathan Blow, titled “The Most Dangerous Gamer.” Blow is wicked smart and he’s kind of a smartass. Both are qualities that I appreciate. The profile is exceptionally captivating. However, the last paragraph connected with my head and heart like an underwater sonic boom. Chills and moist eyes. Resonance.

Which, in a sense, is just what he is—a spiritual seeker, questing after truth in an as-yet-uncharted realm. These are the terms in which he sees his art. “People like us who are doing something a little different from the mainstream have each picked one direction that we strike out in into the desert, but we’re still not very far from camp,” he told me. “There’s just a huge amount of territory to explore out there—and until you have a map of that, nobody can say what games can do.”

I recently gave a talk on “Influencing Student Affairs By Quitting My Job” at the 140cuse conference. I hope that what I am doing, what I have done, is different. I’ve picked a direction and I’ve struck out on a journey that has no simplistic rulebook.

Jonathan Blow does what he does because it feels right. He sees things differently and then acts upon that vision. Pretty inspirational stuff. Think about it.

]]> http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/04/27/be-different-be-daring-be-bold/feed/ 2 A video that tugs at my heartstrings http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/04/27/a-video-that-tugs-at-my-heartstrings/ http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/04/27/a-video-that-tugs-at-my-heartstrings/#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:16:56 +0000 Eric Stoller http://ericstoller.com/blog/?p=2147

I lived in Oregon for 7 years. In all of my travels, and places that I have called home, Oregon remains one of the few places that I love. This video is breathtaking. It makes me feel Portland. It makes me feel the air of Oregon. It makes me feel the trees. It makes my heart very happy.

]]> http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/04/27/a-video-that-tugs-at-my-heartstrings/feed/ 0 An homage, some bow tie talk, and a commencement gown http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/04/27/an-homage-some-bow-tie-talk-and-a-commencement-gown/ http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/04/27/an-homage-some-bow-tie-talk-and-a-commencement-gown/#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:10:36 +0000 Eric Stoller http://ericstoller.com/blog/?p=2141

My pal, Kenneth Elmore – Dean of Students for Boston University, knows how to elevate conversations. There aren’t that many deans of students who are as charismatic as Kenn. In this quick clip, he offers up some insight as to why he spells “Kenn” with two Ns. He also manages to tie a bow tie on camera without a mirror. Kenn’s wit is edgy. The close to this interview showcases Elmore’s ability to riff on the fly. Administrators can make art. In Kenn’s case, his media presence is creative, insightful, and always right on the pulse.

]]> http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/04/27/an-homage-some-bow-tie-talk-and-a-commencement-gown/feed/ 2 CAMEX 2012: Creating Customer Connections with Social Media http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/03/08/camex-2012-creating-customer-connections-with-social-media/ http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/03/08/camex-2012-creating-customer-connections-with-social-media/#comments Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:28:55 +0000 Eric Stoller http://ericstoller.com/blog/?p=2111 Slides from my social media educational session at this year’s CAMEX event in Salt Lake City, Utah. I gave a 60 minute talk about how campus stores can use social media for strategic communications and marketing. Additionally, I led more than 14 hours of social media consultation sessions with campus store representatives.

Resources from both my talk and consulting sessions are available after the jump.

Video clips from my session:

Social Media Revolution

BYU Bookstore: “It’s What I Wear”

Twitter Stories: saved a bookstore with a Tweet

The Joy of Books

All about the New Facebook Pages (not shown during my talk, but it’s still relevant)

Google Plus “+1″ button

Links to Bookstore social media sites:

Twitter:

Facebook:

Pinterest:

Social Media resources:

This was my first time presenting at a National Association of College Stores (NACS) event. The staff at NACS did a phenomenal job of making sure that the consultation sessions went smoothly. Special thanks to Jen Forbus for her amazing work with campus store representatives during the social media consultation session appointments. Auxiliary areas within higher education need to incorporate social media into their strategic communications / marketing efforts and NACS (+ CAMEX) is leading the way!

]]> http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/03/08/camex-2012-creating-customer-connections-with-social-media/feed/ 0 “Radical” and Student Affairs http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/01/18/radical-and-student-affairs/ http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/01/18/radical-and-student-affairs/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:19:23 +0000 Eric Stoller http://ericstoller.com/blog/?p=2099 PUSH

I asked a question and received 40 comments: “Where are the Radical Practitioners?” One of the interesting themes was the idea that people couldn’t be radical (as they defined it) for fear of losing their jobs…couple that logic to another theme: because I am no longer a fulltime student affairs practitioner, I am no longer qualified or credible when it comes to asking about or asking for radical practices in student affairs. Seems like I am in a prime position to add radical commentary as I am not in a position to “lose” my job. Although, some (and I would agree) would say that I am in a far riskier position as a consultant who generates controversial critical conversations. And, while I was employed fulltime, I would like to point out that that was when the majority of my radical writing took place. In fact, I remember when I got raked over the coals after this post came out about student affairs and technology. That particular post, in my view, was fairly benign in terms of its “radical” nature. However, it was perceived by some as too provocative. That’s me….a thought provoker.

Radical Student Affairs Practitioners … Do they exist? Does our profession allow them to exist? Do we nurture them or isolate them? Are they leading our associations or quietly leading from the periphery? Does Student Affairs deconstruct the status quo or do we sustain it?

What do you think? Add your voice to the comments at the original post on Inside Higher Ed.

[image credit]

]]> http://ericstoller.com/blog/2012/01/18/radical-and-student-affairs/feed/ 0