Starkville Shines as MS State Online Wins National Marketing Awards
Starkville— the hometown of Mississippi State University, has something to cheer about! Recently, MS State Online made quite the splash at the University Professional and Continuing Education Association’s annual competition by walking away with not one but two stellar marketing awards! The accolades? A shiny silver for “Creating a Sense of Belonging: MS State Online Revamped Orientation” and a bronze for “Revolutionizing Student Engagement: MS State Online’s Journey to Strategic Online Communication.”
An Award-Winning Team
This victory highlights a team effort from the MS State Online crew, who worked tirelessly to craft campaigns that resonate with students, both new and returning. The team included key players like the enrollment and onboarding coach, and the assistant director of online admissions and enrollment. Also in the mix were the associate director for the Center for Distance Education, the retention and engagement coach, and the academic advisor and success coach. Each one brought their unique flair and dedication to this exciting project.
What’s in a Silver?
The silver award recognized their innovative approach to the online orientation process. The campaign aimed to foster a genuine sense of belonging among students, making them feel like a vital part of the MS State community from day one. By revamping the orientation experience, the team created a warm welcoming environment, ensuring that every student feels right at home.
Bronze for Engagement Strategies
Then there’s the bronze award for their strategic efforts in engaging students online. The campaign, titled “Revolutionizing Student Engagement,” acted as a roadmap to better communication between the university and its online learners. The focus was on enhancing the online experience, which is so important in today’s digital age.
Real Results
The data speaks for itself. By implementing these initiatives, the team has seen an increase in student engagement and retention rates. It’s evident that putting students first is not just a slogan at MS State; it’s a proven strategy that benefits everyone involved.
Community Spirit Shines Through
Winning these awards doesn’t just bring pride to the university and the staff involved, but the entire Starkville community can share in this accomplishment. It shows that the initiatives funded and developed at the local level can achieve national recognition, inspiring even more innovations and investments in education.
Looking Ahead
As the team celebrates, they are already looking to the future. The possibilities for further enhancing the online learning environment are endless, and the drive to continue improving for the sake of students is stronger than ever. When asked about future plans, the enrollment and onboarding coach mentioned their commitment to ensuring that every student feels connected to the university and equipped to succeed, no matter where they are.
So, here’s to Starkville and its advances in online education! If this celebration of hard work and achievement is any indication, the future looks bright for both the university and its students. Let’s not forget to applaud this small-town effort making big waves at a national level!
