When it comes to educational marketing, universities and independent schools can seem worlds apart. But today they face similar challenges—competition for students, the need to demonstrate value, and the pressure to stand out in a crowded market. By recognizing each other’s strengths and learning from different approaches, universities and independent schools can enhance their marketing strategies, create stronger student connections, and remain competitive in an evolving, and often challenging, educational landscape. 

More than ever, higher education enrollment marketing professionals are targeting, segmenting, and personalizing their content. Winning 2022 entries had tailored messages to well-defined audiences such as low-income, high-achieving students; those who are undecided about a major; Spanish-speaking students; admitted students; nontraditional students seeking an online education; and parents. 

How can small teams accomplish great things, even with tight budgets? Here’s how four small teams accomplished award-winning work in communications, fundraising, events, and recruitment—and key takeaways on how teams of any size or context can work resourcefully.

What is race equity as it applies to education institutions? How are advancement teams approaching this work, which experts say involves a wholesale transformation of organizational cultures? How are institutions and individuals moving forward in the name of equity? 

In too many organizations, advancement is lagging on diversity, equity, and inclusion when it should be leading—and leading proactively. To build inclusive cultures and achieve real success in DEI objectives, advancement teams have to move from awareness to assessment to understanding. It's action with accountability. In this book excerpt, Angelique Grant and Ronald J. Schiller share key steps for leaders to do that.

How institutions are undertaking award-winning initiatives that celebrate diversity and build equitable and inclusive communities

Sports rivalries in higher education and among independent schools foster advancement opportunities 

How advancement draws on athletics to communicate with constituents, motivate alumni, and speak to a greater mission—even in an era when the sports environment has changed radically