Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Rachael Hagerstrom of the University of Massachusetts Amherst to explore an often-overlooked yet critical area of institutional communications: issues management. In this conversation, Rachael shares how her journalism and social media background uniquely prepared her for a role focused on monitoring, anticipating, and mitigating potential reputation threats before they escalate. This episode is a must-listen for any higher ed communications pro wondering what’s next in their career.
Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Rachael Hagerstrom of the University of Massachusetts Amherst to explore an often-overlooked yet critical area of institutional communications: issues management. In this conversation, Rachael shares how her journalism and social media background uniquely prepared her for a role focused on monitoring, anticipating, and mitigating potential reputation threats before they escalate. This episode is a must-listen for any higher ed communications pro wondering what’s next in their career.
Guest Name: Rachael Hagerstrom, Director for Strategic Communications, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Guest Social: LInkedIn
Guest Bio: Rachael Hagerstrom is the director for strategic communications at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Over a decade in social media management—including at Smith College and Amherst College— she created multiple award-winning campaigns, served on national social media boards, and provided research and counsel to senior leaders on emerging issues.
At UMass, she works on helping the university team future forecast by staying on top of trends and news in the social media landscape. Rachael has also co-authored a travel guide to Nicaragua and once worked as a reporter at the Daily Hampshire Gazette and Watertown Daily Times.