CMU’s new branding, admissions kit earn international recognition

​The Council for Advancement and Support of Education has honored Central Michigan University's University Communications team with two international awards for two projects completed in 2020.

CASE awarded University Communications with the silver international Circle of Excellence award for its Branding Program and the bronze international Circle of Excellence award for its Admit Kit.

CMU launched its "We do" brand in September 2020 after months of research and input from the campus community. The brand emphasizes active learning and real-world success for students and alumni.

The brand launch includes coordinated internal communications, new signage and graphics, internal web resources, updated advertising and recruiting materials, and employee training.

CMU also redesigned its admittance kit to align with the new brand. The kit, sent to all admitted students, is meant to inspire energy and excitement when applicants are notified of their acceptance to CMU, as the "We do" brand exemplifies. The admit kit provides future students with a notice of admittance, instructions for critical next steps to officially become a CMU student, a welcome to the campus community, and notification of any merit scholarship eligibility.

"All materials were superb, and we're impressed with the scholarship notice going out at the same time in the admittance kit," said judges. "The Next Steps insert is such an easy idea, and a lot of times no one presents the information in an easy way. Well done!"

CASE Circle of Excellence Awards recognize institutions and their staff members worldwide who have made an ongoing impact and delivered outstanding results through innovative, inspiring and creative ideas for multiple categories including publications, communications, student advancement and more.

Collectively, CASE received 2,967 entries from 530 member institutions in 27 countries and selected more than 500 entries for awards.