By Avery Harrison

April Carter, the Personnel Records for the College of Fine Arts, is seeking new student promoters.

The school is looking for someone to assist in merging the fine arts department with the student body.

In acknowledging the school’s success, the desire to give back to the program has always been practiced, whether that be monetarily or in service as an educator.

However, many students outside of COFA are unaware of the programs, showcases, and exhibitions the school has to offer the student body. 

“We don’t have a director of communication,” the Personnel Records Coordinator for COFA, April Carter, said when asked about ways the college could advance getting information out to the student body about their events. 

“We need a communications person ASAP; there’s so many things happening simultaneously, Carter said.

Carter explains how the school will post bulletin posts on social media and emails, but multiple faculty members share this task.

She continued to explain that the school is currently searching for someone to fill the position, but outside circumstances, like the inclement weather, have caused a halt in said process.

 Additionally, there seems to be a disconnect for current students.

Elise Gentry, a marketing major and Howard University Film Organization (HUFO) member, emphasizes an unfamiliarity with COFA events as they happen.

“I’d like to go to more in the future,” Gentry said. “I went to see ‘Heather’s’ last year and really enjoyed it, but I’m not as familiar with the exhibitions they host.”

Though Gentry is a marketing student, being a part of HUFO requires her to interact and create with different students in COFA.

“When we do our short film series, we always need actors,” Gentry said. “A lot of COFA students are in HUFO as either a part of our casting team, actors in the shorts, or just general members.”

Damali Hill, account manager for PRecise Communications, confirms there are ways for the college to utilize tools they already have when it comes to advertising their programs. 

“It would be good to have pre-event coverage,” Hill said. “A way to do that would be to approach reporters at the school and offer interviews with the artists or performers who will be featured in the show.”

Hill advises on ways the college could collaborate with other schools at Howard when it is time to promote their events.

“They should put up flyers in buildings that have the busiest classrooms and ask professors to give extra credit for attendance,” Hill said.

Hill also believes using social media will be beneficial when trying to reach a wider audience, suggesting using digital flyers and promotional posts on social media to increase engagement. 

For more information, reach out the Chadwick Boseman School of Fine Arts to inquire about the details on the position.