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Berry College Press Releases

Press Relations 2025 - Present Berry College

Project Overview

As Marketing Services Manager at Berry College (April 2025 - Present), I develop strategic press releases that promote institutional achievements, academic programs, faculty accomplishments, and campus milestones. My work generates national and regional media coverage, enhances Berry's reputation, and supports recruitment and advancement goals.

Strategic Communications Approach

Higher Education Press Relations

Develop press releases for diverse stakeholders including prospective students, parents, alumni, donors, media outlets, and higher education industry publications. Each release strategically positions Berry College as a leader in liberal arts education while supporting specific institutional priorities.

  • National Media Relations: Secure coverage in national publications and rankings (WSJ, U.S. News, Chronicle of Higher Education)
  • Industry Positioning: Position Berry as innovator in higher education technology, academic programs, and student success
  • Strategic Timing: Coordinate release schedules with admissions cycles, advancement campaigns, and news cycles
  • Multi-Stakeholder Messaging: Craft messages that resonate with prospective students, donors, alumni, and community
  • Crisis Communication: Develop and implement crisis communication protocols for sensitive situations
  • Executive Communications: Present to and develop materials for board of trustees and senior leadership

Featured Press Releases

Berry College Named to WSJ 2026 Best Colleges in America

November 4, 2025

National Recognition

Objective: Amplify Berry's national recognition in prestigious Wall Street Journal rankings to support recruitment and advancement efforts while reinforcing institutional value proposition.

Strategic Messages:

  • Recognition by Wall Street Journal and College Pulse in 2026 Best Colleges rankings
  • Emphasis on student success outcomes and graduate preparedness
  • Validation of Berry's comprehensive liberal arts education model
  • 27,000-acre campus and work-learning program as distinctive features
  • Competitive position among national liberal arts colleges
  • Quote from President Steve Briggs on institutional mission and values
  • Connection to prospective student decision-making process

Strategic Impact: Leveraged third-party validation to strengthen recruitment messaging during peak admissions season. Positioned Berry's distinctive features (campus size, work program) within context of national recognition. Generated social proof for prospective students and families during critical decision-making period.

Target Audiences: Prospective students, parents, guidance counselors, alumni, donors, higher education media

Berry College Hosts First White Coat Ceremony for PA Program

November 3, 2025

Academic Milestone

Objective: Celebrate inaugural class of Physician Assistant program while establishing new academic tradition and demonstrating Berry's commitment to healthcare education.

Strategic Messages:

  • Historic first White Coat Ceremony for Berry's PA program
  • October 24, 2025 ceremony at Frost Chapel with 200+ attendees
  • Class of 2027 milestone and student commitment to compassionate care
  • ARC-PA Provisional Accreditation status for program credibility
  • Faculty leadership quotes emphasizing healthcare mission
  • Program distinctiveness: small cohort sizes, clinical excellence focus
  • Berry's expansion into healthcare professions education

Strategic Impact: Established ceremonial tradition that elevates program prestige and builds PA program brand identity. Generated awareness of Berry's healthcare education offerings among prospective students interested in medical careers. Created shareable moment for families and students on social media.

Target Audiences: Pre-health students, PA program prospects, healthcare community, alumni, donors, local media

Berry College CIO Elected to EDUCAUSE Board

October 15, 2025

Leadership Recognition

Objective: Elevate Berry's national profile in higher education technology sector while recognizing exemplary faculty leadership and institutional innovation.

Strategic Messages:

  • CIO Penny Evans-Plants elected to 4-year term on EDUCAUSE Board of Directors
  • October 2025 election positioning Berry as higher ed tech leader
  • EDUCAUSE significance: 100,000+ professionals, IT leadership in higher ed
  • Evans-Plants' 15-year IT division transformation at Berry
  • 24-employee division management and strategic IT initiatives
  • Previous leadership: Top 10 IT Issues Panel, conference presentations
  • Topics: data governance, inclusive leadership, student success
  • Berry's commitment to innovation and technology excellence

Strategic Impact: Positioned Berry among peer institutions as technology innovator. Elevated institutional reputation in higher education IT community. Created networking opportunities and strengthened Berry's voice in national higher ed technology policy and best practices.

Target Audiences: Higher education IT professionals, peer institutions, technology industry, Berry community, education media

Berry Marketing Earns Design Honors

January 23, 2026

Creative Excellence

Objective: Showcase Berry's creative excellence and marketing team capabilities through recognition from prestigious design organizations, reinforcing brand quality.

Strategic Messages:

  • 5 total awards: 4 from UCDA (University & College Designers Association), 1 from PRSA Georgia Phoenix Awards
  • UCDA Awards (55th Conference, Pasadena):
    • Silver Award - Viking Athletic Logo
    • Award of Excellence - Viking Athletic Logo (dual recognition)
    • Award of Excellence - The Berry Journey Campaign
    • Judges' Choice - The Berry Journey Campaign
    • Honorable Mention - Admissions Recruitment Emails
  • PRSA Georgia Phoenix Award: Award of Excellence - Berry Travel Brochure
  • Recognition of Berry's storytelling approach and visual identity
  • Marketing team collaboration and creative process
  • Student recruitment and enrollment marketing excellence

Strategic Impact: Demonstrated Berry's marketing sophistication to prospective students evaluating institutional quality. Reinforced internal team morale and validated marketing investments. Created third-party credibility for marketing materials used in recruitment and advancement.

Target Audiences: Prospective students, parents, marketing professionals, peer institutions, board of trustees, alumni

Press Release Impact

National Recognition

Elevated Berry's national profile through strategic amplification of rankings, awards, and leadership achievements

Recruitment Support

Provided third-party validation and proof points for admissions team during critical decision periods

Brand Strength

Reinforced Berry's brand positioning as innovative, high-quality liberal arts institution

Skills Demonstrated

Strategic Communications Press Release Writing Higher Education Marketing AP Style Media Relations Stakeholder Messaging Crisis Communication Executive Communications Brand Management Multi-Audience Strategy

Need Strategic Press Release Writing?

I craft compelling narratives that generate coverage and support institutional goals.

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