GradComm

GradComm is a specialized marketing agency serving a vital segment of the U.S. education system—community colleges.

Community colleges play a crucial role in the U.S. education system, equipping students from diverse backgrounds with essential skills and pathways to success. Yet, compared to other higher education options, they often go unnoticed.

One of the biggest hurdles these colleges face in telling their stories is their limited budgets and marketing resources, especially when it comes to marketing and outreach.

That’s where GradComm comes in. With its specialized focus on community colleges, it is perfectly positioned to be the ideal partner in overcoming these obstacles. Beyond just enhancing the visibility and appeal of community colleges, GradComm aims to transform how they are perceived, in the process of creating new opportunities for students and underscoring community colleges’ role in fostering a more inclusive and skilled society.

What sets GradComm apart is their team. Each GradComm team member has firsthand experience working for or with community colleges, giving them a unique understanding of their clients’ specific needs and challenges.

“This direct experience grants our team an unparalleled insight into college marketing needs, enabling us to accurately identify what our clients are searching for and deliver the best solutions,” says Cheryl Broom, GradComm’s CEO.

GradComm excels in comprehensive campaign development and implementation services. Whether rebranding an institution or creating a powerful tagline for a new campaign, their expertise shines through. These services are especially valuable when a college launches a new educational program, employing strategic marketing skills to drive enrollment and enhance community awareness. In addition, GradComm’s media buying capabilities are dynamic and diverse. They leverage both traditional and digital channels to maximize impact, including social and digital media, outdoor advertising, radio, television, and more.

Meanwhile, GradComm’s research adds immense value to colleges by helping them better understand their students and community. This understanding leads to more effective marketing campaigns. For example, community colleges often face the challenge of high application rates that don’t translate into enrollments or students who enroll but drop out after just one class.

Through extensive research like focus groups and surveys, GradComm explores student frustrations, barriers, and aspirations that, then allows the company to craft targeted marketing messages and campaigns that resonate.

GradComm’s collaboration with the southern California-based Long Beach City College is a prime example of this successful approach. By addressing the issue of low enrollment in multiple specialty programs, GradComm was able to make a significant impact. Through extensive research, which included focus groups, faculty retreats, and individual interviews, GradComm uncovered the distinct value of each program and identified the needs and goals of the student community. This research-based approach resulted in effective marketing plans for various programs, including nutrition studies, construction, film studies, and homeland security.

GradComm’s marketing services propel community colleges into the spotlight, highlighting their vital contribution to U.S. education while championing their ability to empower individuals and uplift society

The outcome of this undertaking was remarkable. Enrollment for some programs skyrocketed by over 80 percent, nearly doubling the number of enrolled students. Most programs saw enrollment increases that surpassed the overall enrollment growth of the college. These numbers are not merely statistics; they represent real transformations in people’s lives, the embrace of new opportunities, and the fulfillment of dreams.

With a philosophy rooted in understanding each client’s unique needs, GradComm excels at tailoring strategies to overcome challenges. They offer a range of services, from creating captivating campaigns to managing social media for colleges lacking dedicated staff. Their commitment to exceptional client service is evident in their long-term partnerships, in which they become an integral part of the college team.

In an ever-changing educational landscape, GradComm stands as a beacon of support for community colleges. They offer personalized strategies, invaluable insights, and a commitment to exceptional client service. With GradComm by their side, community colleges can thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.