SUMTER, S.C. – Central Carolina Technical College’s (CCTC) Marketing and Communications department has earned a silver Medallion Award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) District 2 for the college’s Thrive in ’25 recruitment and marketing campaign.
The award was presented in the Successful Recruitment or Marketing Program Campaign category, recognizing the department’s creative approach to promoting educational opportunities, strengthening institutional pride and engaging prospective students throughout the college’s four-county service area.
Developed as a college-wide recruitment initiative, Thrive in ’25 encouraged prospective students to take the next step toward their educational and career goals. The campaign incorporated coordinated messaging across digital advertising, social media, print materials, campus displays and community outreach to create a consistent and recognizable brand experience.
A distinctive component of the campaign was its employee brand ambassador initiative, which invited faculty and staff to become active advocates for the college. Forty-eight employees participated, helping extend the campaign’s visibility beyond traditional advertising through yard signs, buttons, window clings, digital resources and everyday conversations within their communities.
The initiative helped strengthen employee engagement with the college’s recruitment efforts while creating opportunities for authentic connections with prospective students and community members.
The campaign generated 6,371 landing-page views, including 5,249 first-time visitors, demonstrating measurable audience engagement with the college’s recruitment messaging.
“What made Thrive in ’25 special was the opportunity to bring our employees into the campaign and encourage them to share their pride in CCTC,” said Nicole Miles, director of Marketing and Communications. “Our team works hard to create meaningful connections with prospective students, but some of our strongest advocates are the faculty and staff who experience the impact of our mission every day. This recognition is a reflection of that shared commitment and the creativity of our team.”
This marks the second consecutive year CCTC’s Marketing and Communications department has received an NCMPR District 2 Medallion Award. In 2025, the department earned a silver Medallion Award in the College Event category for its Pit Stop with a Pro campaign, an interactive career exploration event featuring NASCAR driver Kyle Weatherman.
The latest recognition adds to the department’s record of excellence in marketing, advertising and public relations. As reported in 2025, CCTC’s Marketing and Communications department had earned nearly 20 awards over the preceding five years for its creative and strategic communications efforts.
NCMPR is a professional organization dedicated to supporting marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges. Its Medallion Awards recognize outstanding achievement in marketing and communications among member institutions. District 2 represents community and technical colleges throughout the southeastern United States.
To learn more about the award-winning campaign, including its creative strategy, brand ambassador initiative and measurable results, visit CCTC’s Thrive in ’25 NCMPR Award Entry.
Central Carolina Technical College serves Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter counties, providing educational opportunities and workforce training that support student success and regional economic development.