2026 CNAC Speakers &
Presentations
College News Association of the Carolinas
2026 Conference | Boone, North Carolina
JUNE 7-9
Rise of the Six-Fingered Machines:
A Skeptic’s Guide to Engaging with AI
No matter whether you love it, hate it, fear it or embrace it, the AI genie is out of the bottle — and it’s never going back inside. Somewhere between the breathless praise of the AI enthusiast and the crossed-arms reluctance of the AI refusenik lies the truth of the current higher ed landscape: people are using AI all over campus for all kinds of purposes, if not always wisely. How can you use AI to benefit your institution without letting it delete an entire database or populate your institution’s social media channels with six-fingered, face-melted people? In this session, an admitted AI skeptic will use real-world examples to present and discuss proven strategies and tested principles for getting the best out of AI so it doesn’t get the best of you.
Brent Winter | NC State University
From Launch to Lift: Sustaining Momentum After A University Rebrand
Heather Henley | USC Aiken
James Rabey | USC AikenA rebrand launch is just the beginning. The real challenge is sustaining momentum, driving adoption and translating a new identity into measurable impact. This session shares how the University of South Carolina Aiken moved from a successful brand launch to a coordinated, performance-driven marketing strategy that continues to build awareness, engagement and enrollment outcomes.
We’ll walk through what happened after the rollout: how we reinforced the brand across campus, navigated adoption challenges, and aligned teams around consistent messaging and execution. Attendees will learn how we leveraged social media growth, expanded paid media efforts, and increased earned media visibility to extend the reach of the new brand beyond campus. The session will also highlight practical strategies for internal engagement, from collaborating with stakeholders, improving compliance with brand standards, and balancing creative ambition with operational realities.
Communicating Accessibility
Now that the ADA Title II digital accessibility rule is officially in effect, public-facing websites, mobile apps, and digital documents must follow WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA standards. This session is designed to help teams feel confident creating clear, accessible content across all the places they communicate most: social media, email, and the web.
We will walk through simple, practical ways to make social media posts more inclusive, including writing helpful alt text, adding captions, using CamelCase hashtags, and choosing colors that everyone can read. We will also cover easy improvements for mass messages, such as using plain language, avoiding image-only announcements, and making sure attachments are accessible. This session is friendly, practical, and full of tips you can start using right away.
Chelsea Porter | UNC Chapel Hill
On These Grounds We Walk:
Storytelling Through Public Art
Allie Bluhm-Whitley | NC State University
Rachelle Garbarine | NC State University
Nick Hall | NC State UniversityIn 2025, NC State University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences transformed its most heavily used and beloved shared space — Caldwell Hall Lounge — through the installation of a permanent, large-scale mural. Created as part of the college’s broader brand refresh and activation initiative, "On These Grounds We Walk" was designed to serve primarily internal audiences by increasing the vibrancy of the space and visually expressing the college’s identity. But through storytelling on a range of channels, the mural became a broader celebration and point of pride for audiences across the university.
The 25-by-15-foot mural functions as both a work of art and a strategic brand touchpoint. It was also made possible entirely through a philanthropic gift secured in close partnership with the college’s development office, specifically supporting branding and marketing efforts.
While designed first for the CHASS community, the mural also serves prospective students and families during campus visits, offering a compelling, immersive representation of the college’s culture and values.
Strategic Storytelling: Aligning Content with Admissions, Advancement and Institutional Brand
Karen Rhodes | Converse University
Lindsay Bartholomew | Converse UniversityToo often, storytelling is treated as a creative exercise rather than a driver of institutional success. This session explores how an institution’s strategic vision can serve as the foundation for your storytelling approach — shaping content that supports key revenue drivers such as admissions and advancement while reinforcing your brand. We’ll provide practical insights on how to develop high-impact stories designed for multi-audience engagement, ranging from prospective students and families to alumni and donors. We’ll also share strategies for creating adaptable content that strengthens brand, supports enrollment and philanthropy goals and maximizes the return on content development.
The Accidental Fundraiser: Leveraging Comms Mastery into Revenue
Katie Masood | UNC Kenan-Flagler Business SchoolCommunications professionals are natural storytellers and brand stewards—skills that are the "secret sauce" of successful fundraising. Yet, many comms pros feel a disconnect when asked to "make the ask." This session bridges that gap by demystifying the development cycle through a communications lens.
In this session, we will translate your craft, master “the ask,” build the stewardship loop and become proactive by providing your development colleagues with stories, quotes, and content to raise serious dough.
Whether you are a solo practitioner or leading a team, you’ll leave with the language, insights and "Ready-to-Use" Stewardship Swipe File to translate impact.
Empowering Student Creators
At NC State Engineering, we have built a production workflow that helps us create high quality social media video content while developing student creators into confident and independent producers. Higher education content needs keep growing, but most creative teams remain small and carry many responsibilities at once. The goal of this system is to increase capacity without sacrificing quality or burning out the people doing the work.
Learn more about NC State Engineering’s use of Asana to coordinate social media requests and its intern program built around collaboration with students.
Tolar Ray | NC State University
Social Media Best Practices
Session will touch on several topics and examples of Meredith College’s social media approach, from knowing your target audience and tailoring content to each platform to brand awareness and brand consistency in social media messaging. Anna will also share examples of connecting with audiences through direct messages, comments and captions.
Anna previously presented on this topic at the North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) Communications Officers Conference at Gardner-Webb University in January..
Anna Blount | Meredith CollegeAlso Planned:
We will host a “Ask Me Anything” roundtable discussion with students from Appalachian State University focusing on what media drew them to App State and what media they consume as students. Breakout discussions are also planned on topics such as “balancing work and home life” and printed publications. Details coming soon!
Interested in Presenting at the
2026 CNAC Conference June 7-9?
We still have an opening to present at this year’s CNAC Conference. Email President Billy Liggett at liggett@campbell.edu to submit your idea or if you have any questions.