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Office of Communication and Marketing

The Office of Communication and Marketing uses many forms of media to create communications that promote Augustana College. In support of the college’s brand, we:

• Share the stories of Augustana.

• Influence public thinking about the college.

• Support the college’s strategic goals.

• Provide campus partners with communication and marketing tools and resources.

Services we provide range from public and media relations to design, writing and editing, web, social media, video and photography. Request assistance.

Audiences we serve are primarily prospective students and families, alumni, friends and donors, local and national media, and the higher education community. We also serve our internal community of college employees, current students and families, and partners in the Quad Cities.

Most of our offices are on the second floor of Founders Hall. The ticket office and performance hall management are on the first floor of Bergendoff Hall, and the scheduling office is in the Brunner Theatre Center. 

How we support the brand

Put simply, Augustana’s brand is what comes to mind when you think about Augustana. Our brand is what the college stands for. To support it, the Office of Communication and Marketing helps others to understand and appreciate what Augustana College is and does.

People’s perceptions of the college are created by their experiences—some limited, such as an email or a photo of campus, others more substantial, such as a choir performance, campus visit, or even a conversation with an employee. A strong brand can help create impressions that are positive, consistent and true to the character of the college.

Use these guidelines and brand tools when representing the college in your communications and promotions. 

BRAND GUIDELINES

Graphics – This Brand Guidelines booklet has information and some history about the visual elements of the Augustana brand. These include the Augustana College word mark, the Augie A, our Viking athletic logo, the Augustana seal, primary colors and fonts (plus secondary versions of those), and more. For usable jpg files of these graphics, go to our Brand Toolbox.

Text and Style – Like most communication and marketing offices, we use the style of the Associated Press. But our always-growing list of exceptions and additional notes has led to Augustana’s customized AP style book

How we can help you

We welcome opportunities to work on promotional or strategic communications. For help with any of these areas, please request assistance using the form below.

Request assistance

This slideshow outlines services our office provides to campus partners, and the best contact for your request. If you still have questions, contact Nicole Lauer and she’ll connect you with a way to get started.

Campus scheduling – We assist campus offices/departments and student organizations in reserving campus spaces and venues for non-class events and activities. Meetings, performances and special events can be scheduled by using the event request form. Once rooms are reserved, the scheduling office assists in event planning and coordinates the various campus services required by the event. Requests for event set-up or technical assistancecatering or promotion assistance can be made online. 

Conference servicesWe assist church groups, educational institutions, community organizations and individuals with renting facilities on campus for special events. From simple one-day meetings to wedding receptions to week-long conferences, we can help renters find an appropriate venue and secure event services such as dining, lodging and technical assistance.

Crisis communications – The Office of Communication and Marketing leads all crisis and emergency communications for the college. Our campus community is strongly encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications through the Augie Alert system. In many emergencies, a message will be placed on the home page of the college website and the official Augustana Twitter account and Facebook page.

Email – We specialize in creating and sending mobile-friendly email campaigns, newsletters and one-time messages to off-campus audiences. Contact us and we will help with brainstorming, writing and layout. We’ll also provide analytics so you will know how well your message did.

Events From press conferences to ribbon-cutting events, from Homecoming to Commencement, members of our staff assist in the coordination of large-scale events for the college.

Graphic design – We can design and offer design advice/assistance on anything from logos and print materials to digital communications and images set in stone. Please see the brand guidelines and Examples of Our Work.

Media relations We help connect our extraordinary students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni with the media to tell the Augustana story. If you have a news tip or you’re a member of the media seeking comment or an interview, email or call Nicole Lauer, public relations and marketing specialist, 309-794-7645

Photography – The student-run Augustana Photo Bureau is based in communication and marketing. These talented student photographers, along with occasional professional photographers, help tell the story of Augustana. 

Printed pieces  We create many pieces for admissions, advancement and others, including the Augustana Magazine, brochures, flyers, posters, postcards, signs and more. 

Promotional items – The Office of Communication and Marketing has a few items you can borrow to represent the college during your events. Along with banners and backdrops for speakers or photo sessions, you can borrow the Augustana A in various sizes.

Sharing news and stories – Know something newsworthy? Wondering if some human interest from your office or department is worth sharing? Send it to sharenews@augustana.edu, and we’ll create an article, news release or social media post.

Social media – Our office manages Augustana’s main social media channels and offers pointers and policies about inappropriate content, privacy, etc., on this page.

Ticket office – Augustana’s ticket office is located on the first floor of Bergendoff Hall. You can purchase tickets to performing arts and other events in person, over the phone, or online. If you have an event you would like ticketed, contact Danielle Roman to determine if utilizing the ticket office suits your needs.

Videography – Like the photographers, the students in the Video Bureau use their creativity and technical savvy to help document the people and events in our campus community. See some of their work on Augustana’s YouTube channel.

Website – Our office is responsible for maintaining Augustana’s website, Augustana.edu. The site tells Augustana’s story to prospective students and parents, as well as connecting with alumni and the world at large. It also provides information to campus and the community about news and events here. Ideas and suggestions are always welcome. Contact Michelle Opsahl, director of web content. Spot an error or omission? Here’s a quick form to get that fixed quickly.

Writing and editing – We can write from scratch or edit your drafts of articles and stories for print and web, marketing messaging, letters, blurbs, web pages, emails, scripts, white papers, strategic plans, talking points, grocery lists, emails, cards and texts. Our office also manages a student Writers Bureau and sometimes hires freelance writers. Contact Debbie Blaylock for information.


If you have news, send it to sharenews@augustana.edu! We love hearing about the achievements of our alumni, students and faculty.