By Ken Steele
The podcast currently has 113 episodes available.
In this episode of Ten with Ken, host Ken Steele sits down with Dorita Pentesco, Director of Marketing & Recruitment at Niagara College, and Carmen Serravalle, Vice-President Creative at STC Storytellers, to discuss the “refresh” launched this month of the 15-year-old Niagara College brand.
NC’s circular “blue button” logo was originally introduced in 2009, and was immediately embraced by staff and students – who suddenly started buying and wearing branded clothing. The unique shape lent itself to external signage, buttons, and even application to the butt end of beer kegs at the campus brewery. People on campus have a powerful affinity for the NC button, proudly embracing the “I am nc” slogan. Many on campus “bleed blue” – so any changes to the existing brand identity needed to be carefully considered.
There were, however, technical considerations like legibility at small sizes and by screen-reading software, and a desire to simplify the wordmark and render it in a more friendly, less corporate way. So STC rounded the corners of each letter individually, “taking the edges off” the former logo, subliminally shifting its impression. They also introduced more blues and greens to the NC colour palette, reflecting the waters and vineyards of the Niagara region. And introduced a new typeface, Work Sans, to add more “heft and confidence” to headlines and materials.
The most obvious addition to the NC brand universe are a series of hand-drawn circles, which reflect the logo but in a hand-crafted way that emphasize collegiality, friendliness, and even the hands-on learning experience for which NC is renowned. The circles are being used as an accent, to draw attention to parts of images, and make a great pattern for branded clothing and merchandise. The brand refresh also introduces a new tagline, “That’s ncLIFE,” which NC has started using “almost like a punctuation mark” to sum up the energy and student experience.
Consider joining Eduvation’s MarCom or CMO Circles, for access to other branding studies like this, and to engage directly with Dorita, Carmen, and other CdnPSE marketers from across the country. For more information, see http://eduvation.ca/cmo/
Check out STC Storytellers’ portfolio of work for other higher ed clients at https://www.stcstorytellers.com
#CdnPSE #branding #niagaracollege #nclife #hemkting #pseweb #TenWithKen
“Ten with Ken” returns for its 8th season with a special double episode distilling the best moments from literally hours of welcome back, orientation, move-in and kick-off videos, from more than 100 colleges and universities. Students overcome their anxieties and homesickness by celebrating, dancing, screaming and clinging to their stuffed animals and favourite comfort foods. They’re distracted by concerts, midway rides, marching bands, fireworks, confetti cannons, and so much more. Some schools play games too, staging their own versions of “Cash Cab,” “Undercover Boss,” or “Roommate Match.”
While the post-pandemic Class of 2028 is anxious, so too are campus administrators, still smarting from heated protests and campus occupations this spring. Their Fall welcome videos overtly urge tolerance for diverse viewpoints and a culture of respect on campus. Incoming first-years are asked to share words of advice for their future selves, while senior students and new graduates share their own advice for the incoming class of 2028. A sense of community is quickly established with matching t-shirts, massive logo formations on the football field, running the gauntlet and plunging in to the mud. From “BamaJam” to “GobblerFest,” campuses are working hard to amp up the enthusiasm of students returning to campus this month. (As so many student put it: “Whoooooo!”)
The 125 videos (and counting) considered or clipped in this special are listed in our complete Back-to-School 2024 YouTube playlist here.
In particular, Ken has chosen 10 “Ken’s Picks” as the best in class this Fall:
Duke University “Class of 2028 Class Photo Behind-the-Scenes”
Princeton University “Dear Students, Welcome Back to Princeton!”
University of Oregon “Duckflix: Quack Match”
University of Virginia “It’s Joyful. It’s Bittersweet. It’s Move-in Day.”
Michigan State University “Advice for Incoming Spartans”
University of Guelph “Welcome Back, Gryphons!”
College of William & Mary “Let’s Write a New Story: Move-in 2024”
University of Michigan “Welcome Back 2024: Movin’ through Campus”
Stevens Institute of Technology “Unpack the Quack: Welcome Class of 2028!”
Rochester Institute of Technology “The Wonderful Wizard of RIT” (definitely the best of the whole pack!)
Enjoy!
Once again, Ken Steele scoured the interwebs and collected more than 240 higher education holiday greeting videos (released as of December 21 2023). Setting aside the sermons, concerts, animated cards and talking heads, he shortlisted the best and presented them to a jury of marketing professionals in a 2-hour livestream on Eduvation Circles.
A series of episodes will bring you all the fun of Ken’s annual collection of higher ed holiday greeting videos - It’s the next best thing to being there!
In part 5, Ken looks at the best of 2023’s higher ed “Musical Performances,” from string quartets to marching bands!
Check out all the original, unedited videos in our 2023 Xmas Shortlist at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLodJ8ParJmYW1ONjCEqJGB8xD7LKi1iSo&si=SDQJAZsTi1FaU3cU
Add YOUR vote to the ranking poll of “Musical Performance” videos at https://PollEv.com/ranking_polls/XtPhj0e2n4toXzNXpNacn/respond
See episodes of 10K first by joining Eduvation Circles, free, at https://circles.eduvation.ca
Once again, Ken Steele scoured the interwebs and collected more than 240 higher education holiday greeting videos (released as of December 21 2023). Setting aside the sermons, concerts, animated cards and talking heads, he shortlisted the best and presented them to a jury of marketing professionals in a 2-hour livestream on Eduvation Circles.
A series of episodes will bring you all the fun of Ken’s annual collection of higher ed holiday greeting videos - It’s the next best thing to being there!
In part 4, Ken looks at the best of 2023’s higher ed “Acts of Goodwill,” and other vids that tug at the heartstrings and share “All the Feels” of the season. Including a surprising new focus on “Finals Anxiety” and the stress students feel in December!
Check out all the original, unedited videos in our 2023 Xmas Shortlist at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLodJ8ParJmYW1ONjCEqJGB8xD7LKi1iSo&si=SDQJAZsTi1FaU3cU
Add YOUR vote to the ranking poll of “Acts of Goodwill” and “Feels” videos at https://PollEv.com/ranking_polls/S0xhnRAwaoTnpFQzj9JZx/respond
See episodes of 10K first by joining Eduvation Circles, free, at https://circles.eduvation.ca
Once again, Ken Steele scoured the interwebs and collected more than 240 higher education holiday greeting videos (released as of December 21 2023). Setting aside the sermons, concerts, animated cards and talking heads, he shortlisted the best and presented them to a jury of marketing professionals in a 2-hour livestream on Eduvation Circles.
A series of episodes will bring you all the fun of Ken’s annual collection of higher ed holiday greeting videos - It’s the next best thing to being there!
In part 3, Ken looks at the best of 2023’s higher ed “Holiday Parodies,” including plenty of deans and presidents left “Home Alone” on campus, overexuberant illuminators getting ready for “Christmas Vacation,” and curling up to read “’Twas the Night Before” poems.
Check out all the original, unedited videos in our 2023 Xmas Shortlist at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLodJ8ParJmYW1ONjCEqJGB8xD7LKi1iSo&si=SDQJAZsTi1FaU3cU
Add YOUR vote to the ranking poll of “Parody” and “Good Sport” videos at https://PollEv.com/ranking_polls/ulL2P9uOI95Sm7pvYxT47/respond
See episodes of 10K first by joining Eduvation Circles, free, at https://circles.eduvation.ca
Once again, Ken Steele scoured the interwebs and collected more than 240 higher education holiday greeting videos (released as of December 21 2023). Setting aside the sermons, concerts, animated cards and talking heads, he shortlisted the best and presented them to a jury of marketing professionals in a 2-hour livestream on Eduvation Circles.
A series of episodes will bring you all the fun of Ken’s annual collection of higher ed holiday greeting videos - It’s the next best thing to being there!
In part 2, Ken looks at the best of 2023’s “Holiday Shout-Outs,” “Holiday Hand-Offs,” “Holiday Trivia” and “Holiday Competitions.” From ugly sweater competitions to the dreaded “Beans of Judgement,” you’ll find the competitive spirit here!
Check out all the original, unedited videos in our 2023 Xmas Shortlist at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLodJ8ParJmYW1ONjCEqJGB8xD7LKi1iSo&si=SDQJAZsTi1FaU3cU
Add YOUR vote to the ranking poll of “Holiday Shout-Out and Hand-Off” videos at https://PollEv.com/ranking_polls/tN3OgLZ84Wl8bxheEv350/respond
Add YOUR vote to the ranking poll of “Trivia” and “Competition” videos at https://PollEv.com/ranking_polls/fbAkFro7RcChB3fifIalg/respond
See episodes of 10K first by joining Eduvation Circles, free, at https://circles.eduvation.ca
Once again, Ken Steele scoured the interwebs and collected more than 240 higher education holiday greeting videos (released as of December 21 2023). Setting aside the sermons, concerts, animated cards and talking heads, he shortlisted the best and presented them to a jury of marketing professionals in a 2-hour livestream on Eduvation Circles.
A series of episodes will bring you all the fun of Ken’s annual collection of higher ed holiday greeting videos - It’s the next best thing to being there!
In part 1, Ken looks at a sprinkling of "Festive & Bright" campus events and tree lighting ceremonies, a dogpile of "Furry Pals", and a sleighful of "Mascots Spreading Cheer" across campus.
Check out all the original, unedited videos in our 2023 Xmas Shortlist at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLodJ8ParJmYW1ONjCEqJGB8xD7LKi1iSo&si=SDQJAZsTi1FaU3cU
Add YOUR vote to the ranking poll of “Festive & Bright” videos at https://PollEv.com/ranking_polls/xxkzkh6pzy5Zj7uTpyVDV/respond
Add YOUR vote to the ranking poll of “Furry Pals” videos at https://PollEv.com/ranking_polls/HIlws6TE102ZqfYNS8TUE/respond
Add YOUR vote to the ranking poll of “Mascots” videos at https://PollEv.com/ranking_polls/EK2fGFaPoNztthzMZiFwK/respond
See episodes of 10K first by joining Eduvation Circles, free, at https://circles.eduvation.ca
Our 5-part series on Forward-Looking Facilities concludes with a look at the informal communal spaces on campus, in-between faculty offices and labs, or student dorms and classrooms. These so-called "Third Spaces" are home to some of the most valuable interactions between students, staff and faculty alike...
In Part 5, "Third Spaces," Ken describes the gradual evolution of higher ed campuses from "introverted" retreats to more extroverted "collision spaces," where informal and serendipitous interactions can spark revolutionary ideas and unexpected illumination. These learning commons and "linger spaces" need to be inviting and comfortable, offering reliable wifi and plentiful power to charge mobile devices. (Oh, and caffeine!) To truly foster a creative environment for innovative thinking, they will incorporate plenty of natural light, bright colours, glass walls and variety in seating arrangements.
Already, formal lectures and seminars can be conducted remotely, digital books and journals can be accessed online, and even museum collections are being digitized for VR use. The real, enduring value of our ivy-covered, brick and limestone campuses won’t be housing books or lectures, but hosting these unique "third spaces." Eventually, they may become the first - or perhaps the only - spaces on campus!
To see episodes of Ten with Ken when they're first released (a month or more before they appear here), join our FREE virtual community, Eduvation Circles! You'll find the complete catalog of episodes, slide decks, other resources, and conversations in a dedicated Ten with Ken area.
Our series on Forward-Looking Facilities continues with more detail on the ways that pedagogical change, and particularly the adoption of active learning, has transformed classroom time and classroom spaces on campuses.
In Part 4, "Active Learning," Ken looks at the way thousand-year-old transmission theories of education created the design of modern lecture theatres, while pedagogical research from UBC's Carl Weiman Institute has paved the way for new approaches. New classroom designs, from Oregon State University's "Phil Donahue" theatres-in-the-round to learning studios and SCALE-UP classrooms, have been appearing on PSE campuses for 30 years now, and their importance has only increased post-pandemic.
To see episodes of Ten with Ken when they're first released (a month or more before they appear here), join our FREE virtual community, Eduvation Circles! You'll find the complete catalog of episodes, slide decks, other resources, and conversations in a dedicated Ten with Ken area.
Our series on Forward-Looking Facilities continues with a look at post-pandemic adoption of online and blended learning delivery, and what 600,000 students tell us about their preferences for learning modality.
In Part 3, "Online & Blended Learning," Ken looks at the decade-long inevitability of adopting blended delivery approaches, which have demonstrably better learning outcomes for students, and can save institutions millions on classroom facilities and operating costs. Years ago, Napster and Netflix demonstrated that "everything that CAN be digital, WILL be," and now that libraries and lectures have made the leap, PSE institutions need to redefine their value proposition. Much more than merely "broadcasting knowledge," true value in the digital age comes from live interpersonal connections and interactions, personalized and immediate exchanges, mentoring and inspiration. Those are really the core advantages of traditional institutions over all the cheaper MOOCs and industry microcredentials out there, for the foreseeable future.
To see episodes of Ten with Ken when they're first released (a month or more before they appear here), join our FREE virtual community, Eduvation Circles! You'll find the complete catalog of episodes, slide decks, other resources, and conversations in a dedicated Ten with Ken area.
The podcast currently has 113 episodes available.