January 02, 2013
For Giscard W. James ’05CPS, ’11MBA, it’s all about supporting
students. And throughout his career at St. John’s University, he’s
done precisely that.
“At
the end of the day, I’d like to say that I’ve helped St. John’s
University creatively convey its unique message,” said James, who
currently serves as Associate Director and Web Content Manager in
the Office of Institutional Advancement Communications. “That goes
for all of our audiences, whether we’re encouraging alumni to
support the University or informing students of how they can get
involved – the important part is creating a connected
community.”
In his current role, James helps to develop the Division of
Institutional Advancement’s overall communications strategy. He
oversees all electronic communications and provides video,
photography, audio and text for a variety of projects designed to
keep both alumni and students engaged.
“I know it sounds a bit cliché, but what I find so special about
St. John’s is its commitment to service,” James explained. “And
it’s not just serving the New York community – it’s serving our
alumni and our students. That’s why I go to work each morning with
a smile on my face, because this is an environment where people
truly care, and that’s something I take very seriously.”
James’s talent and creativity has allowed the Communications team
to greatly expand its use of multimedia, producing a number of
videos each year for a variety of projects. Some of his most
notable works include: a
video of golf superstar Keegan Bradley ’08CPS, which served as
a complementary piece to enhance
St. John’s University Magazine; a recap video of the
Alumni Insider’s View…U.S. Capital Program; and the “
We Need a Dollar” music video, which encouraged alumni support
for students.
“The ‘We Need a Dollar’ campaign in particular was a huge
challenge, but a rewarding one,” James explained. “Everyone on the
Communications team grew as professionals during that project, as
we tackled things we’d never tried before: composing, producing and
recording live and studio performances, complex storyboarding,
special effects and more. The whole process ultimately reminded us
who we work for: the students. The fact that we raise funds for
them and help them to succeed and realize their dreams – that’s
what I love about my job.”
In 2011, James graduated from St. John’s with his M.B.A., a degree
that perfectly combined his interests in Business and Marketing.
Most notably, he participated in the Executive-in-Residence program
(EIRP), a unique initiative in which St. John’s students partner
with real-world businesses and non-profit organizations for a
one-of-a-kind experiential learning opportunity. At the end of the
semester, James was recognized for his hard work by receiving the
National Grid Award for Outstanding Achievement in EIRP.
“That was a big turning point in my educational and professional
career,” he noted. “I was able to prove to myself that I have what
it takes to be a successful leader in a highly competitive
environment. Determining my teammates’ skills and strengths – and
bringing it all together for the final project – was one of the
most influential opportunities I’ve ever had.”
James has spent his career advancing St. John’s communications
initiatives, and he hopes to continue to expand the Office’s
capabilities moving forward.
“It’s important that we push the envelope,” he explained. “We need
to continue to grow our digital presence, in order to communicate
with alumni across a variety of platforms. That way, we can keep
our alumni engaged and connected to the University, providing them
with an opportunity to support the special and talented students
who are walking in their footsteps.”