The Office of Community Relations and Public Affairs of Central Piedmont Community College is designed to effectively and efficiently provide accurate, up-to-date information to external customers on key issues related to the college. The college is committed to keeping faculty and staff, students, prospective students, families, business and community partners, elected officials and taxpayers informed about issues at CPCC.

Leveraging CPCC channels of communication 

CPCC leverages its own communication channels as well as external media to disseminate information. A top priority of the college is to tell our story in a timely manner utilizing the CPCC site (www.cpcc.edu) and intranet, and CPCC TV 17.
One goal of the college is to ensure that timely information can be quickly accessed through our website and cable station. When important decisions are made, CPCC faculty and staff, as well as students and the total community should be able to access the web and our cable channel within the hour to get accurate, up-to-date information. Our goal is that employees and students will go to our own channels (CPCC website and CPCC TV) to get information first-hand.

Media Guidelines and Procedures 

Working with the local and national media to disseminate information
In addition to leveraging our internal channels to share pertinent information about the district, CPCC seeks to develop a strong relationship with the local and national media. Through press releases, weekly media tip sheets, e-mail and phone call pitches and press conferences, the Office of Community Relations and Public Affairs works extensively to share timely information about key issues that involve the college, and the more than 70,000 people impacted by the institution. All media relations efforts should be coordinated through the Office of Community Relations and Public Affairs. Press releases, media advisories and media pitches should be developed by the Office of Community Relations and Public Affairs in conjunction with the various departments and campuses.

The Office of Community Relations and Public Affairs is proactive in sharing story ideas that tie into local and national news trends and strategic in pitching stories to trade publications and national news outlets. In addition, the college seeks to provide key subject matter experts from its knowledgeable faculty and staff to support the media with timely news issues.

The Office of Community Relations and Public Affairs seeks to respond in a timely manner to daily media requests from print, radio and television media outlets. The purpose of the Office of Community Relations and Public Affairs is to serve as a liaison/information conduit for local and national media. One of our priorities is to serve the local media and facilitate any requests for interviews with various faculty and staff members.

The following guidelines apply to media requests within CPCC

1. All media requests should be channeled through the Office of Community Relations and Public Affairs. Direct contact by media should be referred to this office first. The Office of Community Relations and Public Affairs is the clearinghouse and the first line of contact for all media to access the college.
   Any faculty or staff receiving direct contact by media should inform the Office of Community Relations and Public Affairs. – 704.330.6660.
2. All media phone calls/messages will be returned within an hour of the message. Media will have access to cell phone and pager numbers for the Office of Community Relations and Public Affairs staff.
3. On camera/on air interviews - CPCC will seek to accommodate media requests for on camera/on air interviews; however, there may be times when this is not possible. The college will seek to work closely with the local/national media to schedule interviews as appropriate/necessary.

Generally, the Assistant to the President for Community Relations and Public Affairs will serve as the primary spokesperson for the college for all other media requests. The College President and other faculty will be available to media when appropriate. Subject matter experts from the college will be made available to the media whenever possible.

The following strategies will be used to provide media with information about college issues:

• Press releases – Press releases will be created by the Office of Community Relations and Public Affairs in conjunction with the specific area of the college communicating the information.
• Media advisories – Media advisories will be created to announce an event (including dedications, press conferences, media briefings, Open House events). Media advisories will be created by the Office of Community Relations and Public Affairs in conjunction with the appropriate area of the college.
• Press conferences - The Office of Community Relations and Public Affairs will coordinate press conferences/media briefings to disseminate information in a timely manner to all media channels. Typically, press conferences and media briefings will include the College President, Cabinet Members, and Assistant to the President for Community Relations and Public Affairs and other appropriate faculty and staff.
• For more information on the media guidelines or assistance with media/public relations, contact: Jerri Haigler – Assistant to the President for Community Relations and Public Affairs
  (phone) – 704.330.6660
  (cell) – 704.995-2769
  jerri.haigler@cpcc.edu