From the Nominator

Spider Insider is a magazine for faculty and staff at the University of Richmond. It launched in September 2017 as a 16-page print publication (currently 28 pages) designed to increase engagement in the life of the University and create enthusiastic ambassadors among University faculty and staff. Spider Insider is published three times per year and features institutional updates and information on institutional-level priorities; national and local recognition of our faculty and staff; highlights of upcoming events; stories and photos from around campus; and announcements of new hires, promotions, and retirements. This publication meets a need identified through the “Great Colleges to Work For” survey to improve internal communications with faculty and staff.

From the Judges

We really enjoyed Spider Insider. The publication is strategic and high quality. We liked the magazine style very much. Richmond does a lot with its resources and is quite successful with a modest approach. Created in part to address an institutional need, Spider Insider clearly is helping to connect the larger community and strengthen their affinity for the institution. Kudos for taking the extra steps to personally address the publication to each employee and make every effort that it gets into everyone’s hands, even those without computers. We also liked the focus on featuring stories about all levels of faculty and staff to be optimally inclusive. You also made a strong case for how your publication is distinctive and is growing in importance and relevance for your community and is strengthening employee pride and identity. The publication does an excellent job of embodying the new university brand, “It Starts within Us.” Clearly it is an institutional priority and a labor of love.