Taskforce on Rhodes online presence and community
Following on the launch of the new Rhodes website, a taskforce of Rhodes Scholars is being formed to evaluate and improve all aspects of the Rhodes online presence. The Taskforce will complete its work over the next several months, presenting its recommendations to the Warden by December 2010.
The Taskforce's agenda will include the creation of an online Rhodes community - a community that will help connect Rhodes Scholars around the world with each other and with Rhodes House. The Taskforce will consider the form for such a community that will be most valuable to Scholars.
Other topics to be addressed will include (but not be limited to):
- What is the current state of the Rhodes online presence? How can that presence be improved to make the best contribution it can to upholding (amongst multiple audiences) the standing of the Rhodes Scholarships as the world’s pre-eminent Scholarships, and to promoting the Scholarships, including encouraging high-quality applicants and philanthropic support?
- How can online channels be used to attract outstanding applicants in regions, socio-economic classes, and other minority groups that have been historically under-represented?
- What use, if any, should be made of new social media outlets to engage the community of alumni and current Scholars, as well as to reach out to potential applicants?
The goal of the Taskforce will be to recommend actions that will have a lasting benefit for Rhodes Scholars and for the Scholarships. Ben Lundin (Tennessee & Pembroke 2007) will serve as its Executive Officer. If you have expertise to lend, and are interested in assisting the Taskforce, please email him at benjamin.lundin@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk
As well as regular online communication and tele-conferences, it is envisaged the Taskforce will meet at Rhodes House during the Oxford University Alumni Weekend on 24-26 September.
