Colleges & universities prove pride via Pinterest

(originally published to KC Examiner.com on February 7, 2012)

It's a phenomenon for sure!

Millions are utilizing Pinterest to create visual dream boards for weddings (even if not already engaged), for children's nurseries and clothing (even when not yet pregnant), dream vacations to exotic destinations (they'll likely never afford to take), fashion (their body types may not support), recipes, home design, and more.  Users describe the site as "addictive" and for many, "pinning" dreams has taken their interest away from daily Facebook use.

Kansas City's 41 Action News anchor, Christa Dubill, is an admitted Pinterest addict and often shows her completed projects on both her personal and professional Facebook pages. She openly invites viewers to follow her Pinterest boards and, on several occasions, has held drawings to give away items she has made (key chains and tissue packet covers so far) to her Facebook friends.

Like many business entities across the globe, college and university staff often includes a social media professional. Most schools have a multitude of Facebook pages and Twitter accounts to share information about almost every facet of the campus and to engage their constituents in dialogue. And some of those schools that have historically been highly active in social media are quick to involve themselves in the Pinterest obsession.The corporate and small business communities have also begun to cash in on the Pinterest craze. The Kansas City Business Journal even recently featured an article about Pinterest and business. Etsy, with nearly 50,000 followers on Pinterest, is a classic and natural example of how a brand can capitalize on this social medium's usership. Locally, Gail Keller, aKansas City area solopreneuer (Gail's Scoop and Macaroni Kid JoCo) is on Pinterest with boards that include saving money on children's clothing, family friendly healthy meals, and Valentine's crafts for kids. 

Here are a few colleges and universities that are utilizing Pinterest, as well as samples of the boards they are posting to connect with their followers: 

Drake University on Pinterest

• "Adorbs Bulldogs"
• "Explore Des Moines"
• "Wear Blue"

Marquette University on Pinterest

• "Famous Marquette Alumni"
• "Milwaukee"
• "Vintage Marquette"

Oberlin College

• "Co-Operative Friendly"
• "Oberenthusiasm"
• "Obie Creations"
• "Our Town"

St. Norbert University

• "Campus Beauty"

Texas A&M University

• "Aggie Traditions"
• "Maroon Your Room"
• "Our Campus"
• "Tailgating"

 Sororities have also found their place on Pinterest. Here are some examples:

• Alpha Gamma Delta
• Alpha Sigma Alpha
• Alpha Sigma Tau
• Phi Mu
• Pi Beta Phi
• Sigma Sigma Sigma

Pinterest; one more way for colleges and universities to interact with prospective applicants, current students, alumni, athletic fans, and donor supporters!