MRU story guidelines

Mount Royal University’s publications share stories about our people, our work and our role in the wider community. These stories appear on the mtroyal.ca home page and in the Media Room, as well as in Our Community, our internal newsletter.

Our storytelling goal is to elevate Mount Royal's brand and reputation and reinforce with our audiences that MRU is a reliable, authentic source of current and relevant information. We work to deepen readers’ connection to MRU through stories that reflect their current or potential experience, reinforce the value of their MRU degree or credential, and highlight the University’s achievements, growth and lasting impact on people’s lives on campus and in our broader communities.

We welcome story ideas from MRU employees and community members. From feature stories to newsletter announcements, we have many ways to share information and are happy to help find the right place for your idea.

 

Where your story might fit 

 

The mtroyal.ca homepage and Media Room

The website home page is one of the University’s main public-facing channels. It is often the first stop for prospective students, their influencers, supporters, community members and media. It is also a trusted source of information for those already connected to Mount Royal as employees and students. Stories featured on the home page lead to the Media Room, where all of our news and media stories live.

Stories featured here are timely, clear and engaging. They highlight people, projects and initiatives that showcase Mount Royal’s strengths and priorities, often with relevance beyond campus. 

These stories typically:

• are of interest to audiences outside the university, not only the academic community
• highlight student, alumni and faculty achievements, including groundbreaking research, new programs or degrees, honorary degree recipients and more
• connect to timely events or issues
• support MRU’s strategic priorities
• represent our strategic values, including transformation, belonging, boldness, inquisitiveness and authenticity
• position MRU as a leader in undergraduate education with a community of leaders and changemakers
• show our commitment to and partnerships with our external community

 

Our Community (internal newsletter)

Our Community is a biweekly email newsletter that highlights our web and Summit stories, and shares internal information and short items of importance to the campus community. Receipt of Our Community is mandatory for all MRU employees.

Announcements share timely, internal-facing information, including:

• important updates, for example, construction on campus
• upcoming deadlines
• reminders and notices
• need-to-know information for faculty and employees

The Bleed Blue section recognizes accomplishments from across the Mount Royal community, including:

• awards and honours
• notable achievements
• professional or academic milestones

 

How to submit an idea

To pitch a story or announcement to one of MRU's publications, please use the online submission form.

Story pitches should include:

• the story, not just the people involved. For example, the characters (faculty members, students, alumni) may be introduced, but the pitch should include what makes the story interesting to others (timeliness, relevancy, a problem being solved, impact on a community, research and development, etc.)
• an explanation of what differentiates your story from others that may have already been told
• an understanding of the key elements of the story (what is the point?)
• an explanation as to how the story helps reflect MRU’s strategic goals
• the “Ws”: who, what, when, where, why

Faculty members are also encouraged to connect with their department’s marketing and communications strategist. Strategists can help shape a story angle, suggest the most appropriate publication or advise if your content may work better as an announcement, brief or other short format.

All submissions are reviewed by the editor of print and online publications, who makes the final decision about placement and publication.

myMRU and the event calendar

If you are sharing time-specific information such as dates, locations or deadlines, your content may be best suited for:

• announcements on mymru.ca, for employees, students or both
• our expanded events calendar, including space for a photo/illustration and event description, for anything with a date, time and location

To submit an announcement, email mymru@mtroyal.ca.
To submit an event, complete this form.

If you’re unsure where your idea fits, we encourage you to still submit. We’re happy to help you find the right place for it.

Summit is published annually in the fall. It features longer-form stories and briefs about the students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters who contribute to Mount Royal and to undergraduate education in Canada.

Summit stories are more narrative in style and allow for greater depth. They aim to build connection, spark interest and highlight the work and experiences that shape Mount Royal. While we sometimes accept pitches for Summit, more often the team looks for ways to dive deeper into content and ideas already generated by the MRU community.

Pitches for Summit may be sent directly to summit@mtroyal.ca.