LinkedIn Success: From the Window to the Wall

A reflection by Holly Jones ('22 M.A.), senior development strategist and writer, University Advancement

LinkedIn used to feel like a digital conference badge I forgot to take off. Useful, but stiff. Over time, it became something else: a place to tell stories that matter, learn in community and stay connected to people who change how I think and work. And yes, it also makes a difference for Gonzaga’s future.

When employees share the inner workings of Gonzaga, the institution becomes more legible to the world. Higher education can feel like a closed set to anyone who hasn’t worked inside it. LinkedIn gives Gonzaga a window instead of a wall. The more people understand what happens here and why it matters, the more likely they are to engage, enroll, apply for roles, partner with Gonzaga, or invest philanthropically. Visibility builds understanding. Understanding builds trust. Getting there is half the fun, and the “there” can be enrollment, recruitment, partnerships, fundraising, and so much more.

For the last year, I’ve been intentional about being on LinkedIn: one article a week and quick check-ins all week to like, comment and occasionally reshare posts I find meaningful or useful.

I’ve found that what makes it work best is variety. I think of it as a three-lane highway:

• Gonzaga stories: I translate our daily work into impact, not jargon. I ask, “What would make a stranger care about this?” Those articles, posts and comments help people see Gonzaga as a place where values become action. Plus, it’s quite energizing to realize the work you do every day is part of a bigger story and asking people to “come share it with me” is really cup-filling.


• Scholarly work: I’m a doctoral candidate in the School of Leadership Studies, and sharing ideas in progress has led to real connections in my field of study, area of interest and beyond—including fellow play-at-work and Muppet fans.


• Personal glimpses: This is the lane I think people worry about most. My rule is to share a slice of life, not the whole loaf. LinkedIn isn’t my journal, but it is a place where small, human moments build connection. It also reminds me that accomplishments don’t have expiration dates. If you did something great, it still counts and should be celebrated! LinkedIn is a place where that can happen.

LinkedIn can also become relationship-building in the most practical way. At the Jesuit Advancement Administrators conference last summer, I made my phone wallpaper a QR code linking to my profile. Since then, several of the connections made at JAA have turned into ongoing, symbiotic collaborations across advancement shops, swapping insights, successes and learning opportunities, systems and new ideas.

There’s a quiet wellness benefit to it, too. Having a community that shows up for you feels good, and your brain registers that encouragement as connection and belonging. Like when my son recently received his college acceptance package, I shared GU’s post about mailing them and a whole community celebrated with me.

In short, LinkedIn can market the University and strengthen relationships that lead to revenue in many ways, while also helping employees like us feel more seen, more connected and more resilient. So, if you’ve been on the fence, come on in—the water’s fine!

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A reflection by Phil Tyler, associate director, Campus Security and Public Safety

Most people know LinkedIn as a place for networking and career growth, but I see it as something even greater.
LinkedIn has become a true linking agent for me, my community, and Gonzaga University. It is more than career credentials and milestones for me. It showcases my experience, including life experience, and this is the deeper value for me. It creates the capacity to be relational. I believe the greatest accomplishment of social technology is not visibility, but the ability to connect with others in ways that can translate into real-world relationships.

As a leader in Campus Security and Public Safety, I regularly talk about our ongoing efforts to keep campus safe. I share stories about working with students, discussions about resilience, thoughts on leadership, and conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. These aren’t just topics for certain times of the year, they’re part of my everyday life and our community.

Often, I use my platform to highlight others and their impact. Students who step up when it matters. Officers who serve quietly and consistently. Colleagues who lead with empathy. Community partners who stand shoulder to shoulder with us. I believe leadership is more about shining light outward, not inward. When we publicly recognize others, we affirm their value and strengthen the culture we are building together.

LinkedIn has also opened doors for speaking engagements across the nation and for facilitating public speaking workshops on my own campus. What begins as online engagement has led to handshakes, hugs, collaborations, and conversations in real spaces with real people. Students and staff will often say, “I saw your post,” and that simple statement becomes the beginning of something meaningful. Connection.

To me, that’s what real success looks like.

Success is when a digital platform builds trust, when a post inspires hope, and when an online connection turns into a real conversation. LinkedIn has helped me represent Gonzaga, support others, and create real relationships, not just across the country, but right here on campus, where it matters most.