From the Nominator

"NMU's Marketing and Communications Office worked closely with admissions to address post-COVID-19 concerns of high school students, mainly those of well-being, acceptance, and support for the whole self. As a regional university in the remote Upper Peninsula of Michigan, we also must dispel fears of distance, long winters, and "nothing to do" while we compete for students with our well-known, large state universities. In the viewbook, we turn those perceived negatives into positives and showcase the huge variety of activities that are enjoyed in our beautiful wilderness, the warm and welcoming community and creative culture of the city of Marquette, and NMU's breadth of excellent, immersive academics. We also include interactive areas to help guide students in identifying their academic journey and process. 

Admissions counselors reported that at high school fairs, "students were excited that the book is so hefty and that everything is in it." (A tuition and scholarship sheet and stickers are the only other handouts.) They perceived its value and would ask if it was OK to take it. This compared to other schools, "which had tons of papers on the tables." It also didn't get lost in students' bags with so many other loose materials. Students enjoyed the great photography, color scheme, and vibrancy of the book. 

While many factors influence enrollment, we believe the viewbook plays a large role in our consistent figures showing a 10 percent increase in first-year applications and a 15 percent increase in orientation registrations, both over last year."

From the Judges

This piece conveys such a clear personality and lots of it. The cover is striking. Uncluttered, inviting design. Some of the photos are a bit soft, which contributes to a feeling of authenticity. Great results.