Ferris State University Recognized for Higher Ed Marketing Excellence
Ferris State University‘s Marketing and Communications team has achieved national recognition for their outstanding work in higher ed marketing. The team recently garnered six prestigious honors, including three Gold Awards, from the Collegiate Advertising Awards, a national program dedicated to spotlighting excellence in higher education marketing, advertising, and promotion.
Celebrating Creative Storytelling in Higher Education
The Collegiate Advertising Awards celebrate the creative and strategic achievements of colleges, universities, and technical schools across the country. Entries are reviewed by a panel of experienced design and marketing professionals and evaluated based on creativity, design, typography, production quality, and overall effectiveness.
This year, Ferris State stood out among its peers thanks to standout projects such as its refreshed student acceptance packet, an impactful statewide billboard campaign, and the comprehensive Ferris Foundation annual report. These initiatives were designed to effectively communicate the university’s commitment to student success and academic excellence, which is at the core of successful higher ed marketing campaigns.
Awards Highlighting Impactful Projects
The Ferris State Marketing and Communications team was recognized in several categories, demonstrating their versatility and innovation in higher ed marketing:
- Gold Award in the Total Advertising Campaign category for the 2025-2026 integrated recruitment campaign, which spanned multiple platforms and showcased the university’s broad outreach efforts.
- Gold Award in Billboard Design for the eye-catching “Unleash Your Potential” campaign, designed to inspire students across the state.
- Gold Award in Annual Report for The Ferris Foundation’s comprehensive 2025 Annual Report, effectively communicating the impact of donor support and university initiatives.
- Silver Award in Outdoor Transit/Airport/Subway for their creative Bulldog Line bus wrap, which increased brand visibility throughout the region.
- Silver Award in Direct Mail for the innovative admitted student welcome packet, crafted to make incoming students feel valued and excited about their choice.
- Bronze Award in Special Events for materials supporting the Student Exhibition at Ferris State’s Kendall College of Art and Design, enhancing engagement and event participation.
Inspiring Excellence through Storytelling
Dave Murray, Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Ferris State, credited the university’s students, faculty, and staff as the main inspiration behind their award-winning campaigns. “They inspire us to do our best to ensure everyone is aware of the opportunities at Ferris State to transform lives through a quality education,” Murray said. This commitment to authentic storytelling is a hallmark of effective higher ed marketing and is evident in the team’s diverse and impactful projects.
National Recognition and Opportunity University Status
Ferris State’s marketing success comes on the heels of the university being designated an “Opportunity University” by the Carnegie Classifications. This elite recognition highlights Ferris State’s accessibility and the strong career outcomes for its graduates compared to peer institutions. Such accolades not only boost the university’s reputation but also serve as powerful assets in ongoing higher ed marketing initiatives.
By leveraging compelling campaigns and creative outreach, Ferris State continues to set the standard for excellence in higher education marketing and communications. Their recent accolades underscore the importance of strategic storytelling, integrated campaigns, and impactful visual design in building a university’s brand and attracting new generations of students.
Looking Forward in Higher Ed Marketing
Ferris State’s achievements at the Collegiate Advertising Awards demonstrate the value of dedicated marketing teams in higher education. As the landscape grows more competitive, innovative approaches to higher ed marketing—from direct mail to digital campaigns and event marketing—are essential for universities seeking to differentiate themselves and share their unique stories.
The Ferris State Marketing and Communications team sets an inspiring example for higher education institutions nationwide, showing how commitment to creativity and authentic storytelling can drive success and recognition on a national stage.
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