In this episode of the Education Marketing Leader podcast, I sat down with Dane Dewbre, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at South Plains College.

We talked about shifting public perception around community colleges and why the old narratives need to go.

Dane’s been with SPC for 29 years, and he’s seen firsthand how students of all ages, backgrounds, and ambitions thrive when they have access to quality, affordable education.Key

Takeaways for Higher Ed Marketers:

✅ Community colleges aren’t a “second choice”

SPC regularly enrolls valedictorians and salutatorians. Their students succeed at four-year schools and in the workforce, and universities love transfer students from community colleges.

✅ Affordability is more than low tuition

South Plains is leading the way with OER (open educational resources) and zero-cost textbook options. Dane also pointed to new legislation in Texas that makes dual-credit courses free (including tuition, fees, and textbooks) for qualifying high school students.

✅ Authenticity in messaging matters

SPC’s campaign “SPC is here” reminds students across their 14-county rural service area that the college is local, supportive, and ready to meet them where they are, whether they’re 18 or 38.

✅ Your mobile homepage is everything

More prospective students access SPC’s website from mobile than desktop. If you had to show them one page, Dane says: “Show them your mobile homepage.”

✅ Lead with career outcomes

Welding grads heading to SpaceX, diesel tech students hired before graduation, these stories are the message. Tell them often and everywhere.

🎧 Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow and subscribe to Education Marketing Leader to hear real conversations with the leaders shaping higher-ed marketing today.

Until next time. ✌