Shannon O'Brien

Director of Editorial & Social Media
Wellesley College

Shannon O’Brien’s storytelling journey began as a photojournalist for newspapers, including the Dayton Daily News and the Palm Beach Post. While in Florida, she returned to graduate school to study nonfiction writing. She became captivated by the stories of the students and faculty around her, so she decided to stay in the industry. Her first full-time role in higher education was as a campus photographer for the University of Illinois Springfield. While there, she cultivated her writing portfolio and managed the college’s Instagram account. She developed the skills that would take her to Williams College as an assistant editor and social media strategist and then to Wellesley College as the director of editorial and social media. She is grateful for all the mentors along the way. There have been many.

Shannon O'Brien’s Session

More Than One Way to Tell a Story

The stories you write and publish on your college’s website to highlight student life, academic pursuits, and more can be approached from several angles to allow for greater storytelling opportunities, reach, and engagement on social media. Shannon O’Brien, director of editorial and social media at Wellesley College, will discuss how she and her colleagues consider story pitches, determining which stories work best as written pieces, which are best highlighted on social media (and how), and which should have a variety of components, from companion videos to Spotify playlists.  

Join this session and discover:

  • A framework for thinking holistically about storytelling
  • A discussion about platforms and how to reach your key audiences
  • Tips for recognizing opportunities to diversify your approach
Check out our early bird ticket prices!
Copyright © 2024 by Global Strategic Management Institute | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Code of Conduct