The Skagit Valley College Strategic Marketing and Communications department recently was awarded 20 prestigious Medallion Awards from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) for work promoting the college during the 2023-24 academic year. 

The awards include 11 first-place Gold Medallion Awards, six second-place Silver Medallion Awards, and three third-place Bronze Medallion Awards. 

Medallion Award winners were announced Oct. 17 during the NCMPR’s annual District 7 fall conference held in Spokane, Washington. The SVC team was honored with awards in the following categories: 

  • [Newsletter] 2023 Currents Magazine — Gold 
  • SVC’s 2023 Currents Magazine, which highlighted accomplishments and important moments from the fall quarter.  
  • [Print Wild Card] SVC Employee Welcome Gift Box— Gold 
  • A unique gift box new employees at SVC, which can be filled with college promotional items such as a coffee cup, stress ball, note pad, pens, etc. 
  • [E-Newsletter] 2023 Currents Magazine, Digital Version — Gold 
  • SVC’s 2023 Currents Magazine, in digital format, which highlighted accomplishments and important moments from the fall quarter. 
  • [Microsite/Landing Page] Areas of Study Landing Page — Gold 
  • The redesigned Areas of Study landing page enhances user experience by simplifying navigation, improving visual clarity, and providing informative content, allowing students and community members to easily explore and understand available programs. 
  • [Social Media Post or Story] Men’s Basketball Reel — Gold 
  • An Instagram reel, highlighting the men’s basketball team, created to hype up the team for their season.  
  • [Logo Design] Cardinal Achievement Program Logo— Gold 
  • A logo designed to highlight our Cardinal Achievement Program.  
  • [Computer Generated Illustration] Summer Cardinal — Gold 
  • A computer illustrated version of the SVC mascot, enjoying summer, created for summer quarter promotional materials.  
  • [Print Advertisement] Cardinal Craft Brew Ad — Gold 
  • [Digital Advertisement] Let’s Talk Running Start — Gold 
  • A digital advertisement focusing on SVC’s Running Start program, highlighting the benefits of receiving college credits at SVC while in high school. 
  • [Successful Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Marketing] Black History Month — Gold 
  • A campaign that successfully fostered awareness and appreciation for Black history and led to an increased dialogue and commitment to enhancing representation of Black voices. 
  • [Novelty Item] Cardinal Craft Brew Coaster — Gold 
  • A coaster designed for the Cardinal Craft Brew program. 
  • [Flyer] Foundation Scholarship Application — Silver 
  • A print flyer for the SVC Foundation’s scholarship application. 
  • [E-Card] Career Fair — Silver 
  • Digital E-Card emailed to the community inviting them to the college’s career fair. 
  • [Microsite/Landing Page] College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) — Silver 
  • The landing page for SVC’s CAMP program is available here. 
  • [Social Media Page] SVC Instagram Page — Silver 
  • [Promotional Video/Shortform] We Partner with First Nations Communities — Silver 
  • A shortform YouTube video, showcasing how SVC partners with First Nation Communities through representation in the arts, hosting community events, funding academic programs and supporting students to connect with each other. 
  • [Flyer] Pollinator Palooza — Silver 
  • A flyer highlighting the Pollinator Palooza on campus, featuring illustrations as the SVC mascot in a bumble bee costume. 
  • [Website] A New and Modern Website — Silver 
  • A new website resulting in a streamlined, user-centered platform that significantly improves content management, mobile accessibility, and user satisfaction. 
  • [Social Media Page] Skagit Valley College TikTok — Silver 
  • SVC’s TikTok page, which features a mix of informational and silly videos that are created to engage with SVC students and make them laugh. 
  • [Social Media Post] Women’s Soccer Reel — Silver 
  • An Instagram reel highlighting the 2023 SVC women’s soccer team. 
  • [Communication Success Story] BASM Grads to SVC Employees – Silver 
  • A communication success story highlighting the number of SVC bachelor’s program ads that decided to return to the college as employees.  
  • [Special Event or Fundraising Campaign] Cardinal Community Day — Silver 
  • A series of promotional materials that were submitted to promote Cardinal Community Day, a college-wide day of staff and faculty engagement. 
  • [Booklet] SVC Commencement Program 2024 – Bronze 
  • Skagit Valley College’s Spring 2024 Commencement program booklet.  
  • [Outdoor Signage/Displays] Cinco De Mayo Parade Banner – Bronze 
  • A print banner designed for the Mount Vernon Cinco De Mayo parade, featuring special elements to commemorate the celebration. 
  • [Communication Success Story] Stella Rolph 1.68 Million Bequest – Bronze 
  • Stella Rolph, a longtime SVC supporter, donated 1.68 million dollars to the SVC foundation. The story highlighted her involvement at SVC and her generous donation. 

marketing team holding awards

These awards are a testament to our talented team’s unwavering dedication and creativity,” said Marisa Pierce, SVC executive director for strategic marketing and communications. “We are honored to be acknowledged among our peers and remain inspired to continue delivering impactful marketing and communications initiatives.” 

According to Pierce, collaboration and communication is the key to these accomplishments and that is an environment that is fostered by each member of the team – which are also two of the college’s Guiding Principles.  

Under the leadership of Anne Clark, SVC Vice President College Advancement, the SVC Strategic Marketing and Communications Department provides a variety of in-house services and strategic development such as marketing, advertising, internal and external communications, event promotion, graphic design, photography and videography, website, and social media.  

Department employees include Leah Mckeogh, senior graphic designer; Peter Goodrich, web administrator; Toni Nicolas, web developer; and Sofie Poulton, communications and social media manager. 

In addition to winning 20 Medallion Awards, the SVC Strategic Marketing and Communication Department is competing in the national NCMPR Paragon Awards, which will be announced in March. 

About NCMPR

NCMPR has more than 1,550 members from more than 650 colleges across the United States, Canada, and other countries. District 7 consists of community and technical colleges in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Yukon Territory. The Medallions are the only regional competition that honors excellence exclusively among public relations and marketing professionals at two-year colleges. 

 

Media Contact Info

Sofia Poulton, Communications and Social Media Manager

360.416.7699

sofia.poulton@skagit.edu