JANE SPONAGLE
BIZ/TECH REPORTER

Humber’s new media communications specialist doesn’t want anyone to think it’s his job description to sit on Facebook all day.
Former HSF president and Humber grad Nick Farnell has other duties that include traditional web design and building presentations to send out with Humber’s recruiters, but this time of year, Farnell said he is busy replying to prospective students’ comments on Facebook and Twitter about being accepted into programs for the fall.

New media communications specialist Nick Farnell at his desk. (Jane Sponagle)

“When we see something like that usually we send ‘Have you thought about taking a tour of Humber? Here’s how to take a tour’,” Farnell said.
He said Facebook is an important tool for communicating with students.
“I always have a couple projects on the go, but in between projects I just jump on, post a photo album, answer a few questions or direct them to the right places,” he said.
With more than 5,000 fans, Humber is the college with the most Facebook fans in the country, Farnell said.
“It’s kind of nice to see that Humber students are that engaged, that they’re that proud of where they go to school that they’ll jump on here,” Farnell said.
Recruitment manager SarahJane Greenway said she sees social media as another level of customer service.
“Instead of someone having to go to the website or call us or email us, if they see we have a presence on Facebook or Twitter they can just ask those questions and we can answer them right then and there.”
Mel Carrey, 21, a public relations student, recently posted an event on the Humber Facebook fan page.
“As soon as Humber College put up their pages, I joined immediately just to connect to people with the same interests as me and my school.”