Tag: Setting

  • Setting the Gold Standard for College Recruitment Campaigns

    Setting the Gold Standard for College Recruitment Campaigns

    Marketing messages bombard students from every direction, so capturing their attention—and inspiring them to take action—requires creative that truly stands out. That’s exactly what the RNL creative team delivers, crafting award-winning campaigns that engage, resonate, and drive results across every channel, from digital to direct mail. We work closely with our campus partners to ensure every undergraduate and graduate campaign is both strategic and impactful—proven by the many gold award-winning projects we’re celebrating this year.Here are 11 that took home gold medals—and one Best of Show—at the 40th annual Educational Advertising Awards.

    Illinois College Agribusiness Management |SEO Video (Best of Show)

    Video isn’t just eye-catching—it’s a powerful SEO booster that keeps visitors on the page longer to improve search rankings. For this project, we paired SEO-optimized web copy with a compelling long-form video designed to engage skimmers and drive inquiries. Illinois College’s campus team fully embraced the collaboration, delivering stunning unique footage that brought their story to life. The result? A versatile, high-impact asset that drove a 7,000% increase in web page visits. Watch the video.

    University of Tulsa | Standout Integrated Search Campaign

    University of Tulsa: Image of ad campaign on cell phoneUniversity of Tulsa: Image of ad campaign on cell phone

    Reaching high school sophomores and juniors means meeting them where they are—in their inboxes, on their feeds, and in their hands. This multi-channel campaign reinforces the University of Tulsa’s bold message: students don’t have to choose between fitting in and standing out. Rich Art Deco design and conversational copy celebrating personal and academic uniqueness helped elevate brand nationwide while encouraging students to find their fit at UTulsa.

    Linfield University | Personalized Applicant Direct Mail

    Linfield University student postcardLinfield University student postcard

    This eye-catching mailer puts Linfield’s bold purple and cardinal branding front and center, using standout stats and a dynamic design to capture attention. Featuring Mack the Wildcat, it reinforces school spirit while guiding students toward their next step—applying with confidence.

    American Musical and Dramatic Academy | Dream-Making Applicant Mailer

    American Musical and Dramatic Academy mailingAmerican Musical and Dramatic Academy mailing

    Designed to attract aspiring performers to perform, create, and wow at campuses in New York and Los Angeles, this high-energy mailer steals the spotlight with bold visuals and dynamic performance imagery. Filled with upbeat performance industry lingo, it sets the stage for students to step into their future—and apply.

    University of Mount Union | Bold, Strong Instagram Ads

    Mount Union Instagram adsMount Union Instagram ads

    These dynamic search campaign ads put real students front and center, showcasing hands-on learning in action. With bold visuals and empowering copy, the campaign encourages prospects to show up strong, seize opportunities, and own their moment—both in college and beyond.

    Rockford University | Feed-Stopping Facebook Ads

    Rockford University Facebook adsRockford University Facebook ads

    These bright branded ads grab attention alongside the question “RU Ready?”, sparking curiosity about the welcoming environment and numerous opportunities at “RockU.” The campaign is designed to stand out in feeds and aims to inspire students to see themselves on campus and take the next step toward getting there.

    St. Louis Community College Instagram AdsSt. Louis Community College Instagram Ads

    Featuring proud, hopeful, and joyful students, this campaign highlights reasons students choose STLCC to pursue their dreams. The result? Authentic, inspiring ads that encourage prospects to find their reason at STLCC.

    Jackson State University | THEE Standard for Search Campaigns

    Jackson State University student search campaignJackson State University student search campaign

    Inspired by Jackson State University’s iconic fight song, this email campaign set the tone with bold headers inviting prospects to learn more about THEE standard for research, academics, innovation, and success. Playful illustrations drawn over dynamic student portraits bring energy and spirit to every email, reinforcing why JSU is THEE place to be.

    University of Washington Bothell | Find Your Fit Facebook Ads

    University of Washington Bothell Facebook AdsUniversity of Washington Bothell Facebook Ads

    This dynamic ad brings exciting campus life to the forefront, featuring lively action shots shaped into a bold “W.” Paired with inviting copy, it highlights the University of Washington Bothell’s close-knit community where students find big opportunities, exciting challenges, and lifelong friends.

    Lamar University | Parent Postcard

    Lamar University parent postcardLamar University parent postcard

    This gold award-winning postcard spoke directly to parents, highlighting the $20+ million in aid and low tuition that make Lamar University the best-value college in Texas. A clear, compelling message reassures families that a smart investment today means big opportunities for their student’s future.

    University of Central Florida | Universe of Opportunity Email Series

    University of Central Florida recruitment emailsUniversity of Central Florida recruitment emails

    With a prime location between NASA, the Space Coast, and Orlando’s endless experiences, UCF Global offers a launchpad for limitless possibilities. This inquiry-to-application email flow features stunning nightscape imagery and star-inspired design elements reinforcing the university’s spirit of exploration and innovation.

    Create your own winning connections with future students 

    Want to turn your marketing into an award-worthy success? RNL’s creative team brings strategic insight, compelling storytelling, and a track record of 100+ awards in five years to every campaign. Whether you’re engaging undergraduate, graduate, or online students, we’ll help you stand out and drive results. Let’s talk—schedule a complimentary consultation today.

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  • Setting Up New Leaders for Success From Day One – Strategies for HR – CUPA-HR

    Setting Up New Leaders for Success From Day One – Strategies for HR – CUPA-HR

    by CUPA-HR | March 29, 2023

    Consider this scenario: An institution hires a new leader who has previously worked in higher ed. Assuming the individual has already acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to get the job done, HR guides them through a brief onboarding and launches them into their new role. Six months later, HR checks in with the leader to see how things are going and discovers a dissatisfied leader and a team in turmoil. What went wrong?

    According to Sara Reed, vice president of people and talent at Western Governors University, HR sometimes falsely assumes that new leaders with higher ed experience know how to get the job done. Consequently, expectations may not be clearly articulated, which can create rough patches for the leader to navigate on their own. In the recent CUPA-HR webinar Building Leader Confidence in Transition: We Can’t Do It Alone, Reed explained that to help create a smooth transition for new leaders and ensure success from day one, HR can consider implementing these strategies in the pre-hire and onboarding phases:

    • Pre-hire: Provide accurate and clear position descriptions. HR should be very clear about what the institution is looking for in the role. Is the institution looking for a different leader than in the past, or a leader who meets the status quo? What context is there surrounding the job description that the candidate should be aware of? For example, will the new leader be leading a team that is in transition or turmoil? If so, what resources and contacts can help the new leader in a situation like this?
    • Pre-hire: Be clear about the mission of the institution. What mission does this new leader need to advance and further? Do job candidates see the values and beliefs of the institution displayed on the website? Who is included in the interview process? Can a broad number of people be included in the hiring process to send the message that the position is of high importance?
    • Pre-hire: Have the individual meet the team they’ll be leading. Create an opportunity during the interview process for the potential new leader to meet the team they’ll be leading. Allowing job candidates and future team members to have conversations beforehand could reveal potential areas of conflict between the two parties.
    • Onboarding: Pair the new leader with a skills mentor and a cultural mentor. While a new leader’s knowledge, abilities and experiences in previous positions can be beneficial in helping them succeed in their new role, they still must learn the cultural and political landscape. In the webinar, Reed shared her personal testament to having a “nuts and bolts” mentor and a cultural mentor when she first began working in higher ed. While a “nuts and bolts” mentor explains institutional policies and how to use systems, a cultural mentor can help clue in a new leader to the cultural and political landscape and serve as a “safe space” to ask questions and get insights. As Reed suggested in the webinar, a cultural mentor is someone you can approach after a meeting and ask, “What just happened?”

    Interested in more pre-hire and onboarding strategies and tactics to help new leaders in transition? Watch the webinar recording: Building Leader Confidence in Transition: We Can’t Do It Alone.



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