Feb. 3, 2017
CWU Enrollment Marketing Wins National Recognition
Marketing associated with record enrollment at Central Washington has earned national recognition by the Higher Education Marketing Report. The materials, which received third-place awards, helped to produce a 21-percent jump in enrollment last fall, a record CWU is positioned to exceed again this fall.
The Education Advertising Awards, formerly known as the Admissions Advertising Awards, is the oldest, largest and most prestigious advertising awards competition, with over 3500 entries submitted last year from every state in the country and multiple foreign countries.
The awards are for fall 2015-2016 recruiting materials, including a suite of direct mail with innovative physical and design presentation, and a new “Welcome” theme. A second award recognizes materials associated with the innovative “Golden Ticket” event. It focuses on high-achieving students admitted to CWU. The students meet directly with faculty , students, and university leaders at a special dinner event. Eighty percent of those who attended the event last year enrolled in fall 2015.
“Targeted, strategic marketing is a critical element of our enrollment strategy,” said CWU President James L. Gaudino. “Our Public Affairs engaged the campus community and prospective students in developing a brand that would really speak to potential and the result is record enrollment and these awards.”
Gaudino said the Welcome theme was one of a number of aspects of a total overhaul of enrollment recruiting last year. The Welcome brand also has extended to a special "New Student" website at cwu.edu/welcome.
Central Washington University is one of the fastest growing public universities in the West and is ranked first in the state for value by The Economist Magazine.
With more than 135 majors, CWU offers the educational programs that students want, taught by professors who work closely with their students and have been recognized as among the best in their fields. CWU offers more than $40 million in student grants, scholarships, and waivers. The average undergraduate resident pays just $3,000 per year out-of-pocket for tuition.
Media contact: Rich Moreno, director of content development, 509-963-2714, richard.moreno@cwu.edu.