This document discusses the increasing role of social media and digital communications in higher education. It notes that national organizations, universities, departments, and individual scholars are all utilizing social media. However, it also discusses how universities see social media as important for reputation management and marketing to students, alumni, and other stakeholders. While social media provides opportunities, it also poses threats to universities' reputations. The document predicts that higher education institutions will invest more in differentiated marketing strategies and will attract more specialized marketing professionals. It also notes debates around how to properly measure the effectiveness and return on investment of marketing activities. Overall, the document examines how digital communications are becoming more political and instrumentalized for reputation and student recruitment goals in higher education.