THATCHER, Ariz. – Eastern Arizona College received two national Paragon Awards for excellence in marketing and communications during the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) conference held in Washington, D.C.
EA earned a Paragon Silver Award for its poster series promoting the fifth annual Native American Festival, which served as the centerpiece of the event’s outreach efforts throughout the Gila Valley and surrounding communities. The posters featured photography of performers paired with design elements inspired by Native American traditions, creating a visually engaging campaign that celebrated the festival’s cultural significance while clearly communicating event details.
The College also received a Paragon Bronze Award for “Stories Still Unfolding,” a video series supporting EA’s 55+ campaign, which encourages Arizona residents age 55 and older to enroll in free personal-interest courses. Produced entirely in-house, the series featured student interviews from a variety of classes and used personal storytelling to highlight the value of lifelong learning. The campaign included 20 videos incorporated into the College’s website and digital advertising strategy and contributed to a 10% increase in participation among 55+ students.
The EA Marketing and Public Relations Department develops advertising, branding, and outreach campaigns designed to increase awareness and support enrollment growth. During the past year, the department’s marketing efforts generated more than 283,000 new users to the College website, a 29% increase from the previous year. Overall, the College website recorded more than 2.2 million page views during the same period.
NCMPR’s Paragon Awards recognize outstanding achievement in communications, marketing, and public relations at community and technical colleges. The competition is the only national awards program dedicated exclusively to marketing and public relations professionals at two-year institutions.
This year’s competition included 1,585 entries from 216 colleges across the country, with only 98 awards presented.
“To be recognized on a national stage among the top community colleges in the nation is a tremendous honor,” said Keith Alexander, EAC chief government relations officer. “These awards reflect the creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking our team brings to telling the Eastern Arizona College story and connecting with the communities we serve.”
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About Eastern Arizona College
Since 1888, Eastern Arizona College has been the undisputed Smart Higher Education Destination, shaping student dreams into reality. With a faculty of qualified and caring instructors, EAC is committed to preparing students for high-demand careers and advanced studies at top universities.
Offering a diverse range of over 90 degrees and certificates and two bachelor’s degrees, EAC is home to the state’s premier nursing school, a fine arts program featuring Arizona’s only community college marching band, and an engineering program that equips students for success at top-tiered firms and universities.
Beyond academics, EAC is a vibrant community where students thrive, forging connections that last a lifetime. At EAC, students can live in on-campus housing, engage in over 30 clubs and organizations, participate in dynamic intramurals, and cheer for nationally ranked athletic and e-sports teams.
What sets EAC apart is its commitment to financial accessibility, allowing most students to graduate with $0 debt.
Choose EAC as your Smart Higher Education Destination. For more information, visit www.eac.edu or call (928) 428-8272.
