The #CSUSocial team has grown 🙌 Couldn’t be happier to introduce Kayla Coolbear, our new Senior Social and Digital Media Strategist. Let’s get to know Kayla a little better.
Tell us a little bit about your professional experience in social and digital media.
I’ve spent over seven years in the higher education social media marketing industry. In my previous roles at different universities, I had the unique opportunity to be the pioneer of their social media efforts. This experience has honed my skills in building social media presence, establishing effective procedures, and developing content pipelines from the ground up.
My approach blends the strategic foresight of long-term planning with the creativity of spontaneous content creation. I emphasize consistency while infusing student life-themed content into our strategy. This combination ensures a dynamic and engaging social media presence that resonates with our audience.
Why did you choose to come to CSU Social?
On the first day of my first job in higher education social media, I searched for social media accounts that could inspire my own work, and that’s when I initially became a CSU Social fan. Through the years, I’ve often wondered what it would be like to live in Fort Collins and dreamt of working on this incredible team.
What are you most looking forward to working on as a member of the team?
I’m truly excited about the incredible opportunities ahead as part of this team. I’m already learning so much from my talented colleagues. With my deep passion for higher education, I’m most eager to dive into the community-building aspect of social media marketing in this unique sector. Together, we can create meaningful connections and make a real impact on our university community.
What’s your favorite aspect of working in the social space?
My favorite aspect of working in the social space it’s dynamic nature. It’s a realm of continuous learning where I get to explore emerging trends, platforms, and technologies. I’m drawn to the data-driven aspect, as it allows me to make informed decisions and optimize our strategies for best results.
Problem-solving is another exciting piece. Social media often presents unique challenges that require innovative solutions. I thrive on collaborating with a diverse team of internal and external content creators and analysts, to tackle these challenges collectively.
What truly makes this work special is the positive impact it can have. Our efforts in the social space directly influence brand perception, engagement, and ultimately, the success of our initiatives. Knowing that our work contributes to something meaningful is very rewarding.
If you could use only one social media platform personally, what would it be and why?
If I had to choose just one social media platform for personal use, it would definitely be TikTok. TikTok’s algorithm is like a mind reader. It serves content I love without me even lifting a finger to find it.
An unexpected piece of this platform are the ‘sides’ of TikTok. It’s like being part of a secret club. Meeting someone who’s on the same TikTok side as you? That’s an instant connection!
What performing artist is in heavy rotation in your current playlists?
November Ultra. Listening to her music is like pleasantly dozing in a room full of natural light, cozy blankets, and emotional vulnerability.
What’s something interesting most people don’t know about you?
I love to play Dungeons and Dragons, the role playing game! In the wild world of D&D, my go-to character type has to be the barbarian. There’s just an irresistible joy in smashing through challenges, dealing epic damage, and living to tell the tale. My current character is a cat-taur! Yep, picture a centaur, but swap the horse for a snow leopard. She was once a human, but after a life-changing injury, they got a snow leopard upgrade!