About Us

We Exist to Make Meaningful Connections That Lead to Better Student Outcomes

Carnegie is the Student Connection Company

We empower colleges and universities to connect and build lifelong relationships with today’s diverse learners. Every strategy we build, every voice we help shape, and every decision we guide is rooted in one belief: when students succeed, higher education thrives—and the world wins.

Driven by Belief and Powered by Innovation

40 years

Partnering colleges and universities

700+

Higher ed partners nationwide

450

Experts on staff

1 Mission

Student success

Our X Factor

When You Work With Us,
You Get Something Different

Human Connection

Every strategy starts with empathy—for students, and for you.

Data Intelligence

We offer proprietary data sets and innovative uses, resulting in better outcomes for you.

Innovation with Purpose

We’re using AI to improve our products, develop new tools, and reduce inefficiencies—innovation with direct benefits to our clients.

Integrated Solutions, One Partner

We design custom solutions for every stage of the student journey. We bridge marketing, enrollment, and strategy for a unified approach.

Performance Focus

We tie every project back to outcomes—ensuring ROI and goal achievement.

Commitment to Student Success

Student Success is at the center of everything we do.

We help our clients meet the moment and plan for what’s next—solving complex challenges through innovation, strategy, storytelling, media, research, and tech.

Navigating the Now and the Next

Problems We Solve

Today’s colleges and universities are under extraordinary pressure. Budgets are tight, competition is fierce, and student expectations are changing fast. As the student connection company, we help higher education navigate these challenges—creating meaningful connections that lead to better student outcomes.

Enrollment Growth in Competitive Markets

Institutions face shrinking prospect pools and rising competition, often with fewer resources and greater urgency. We help leaders focus their strategies—turning insight, innovation, and storytelling into enrollment growth that sustains both mission and margin.

Building & Protecting Institutional Reputation

Prestige, purpose, and perception must work in harmony. We help colleges and universities define and defend their reputation—strengthening brand clarity, consistency, and trust across every audience, channel, and campus voice.

Expanding Access and Serving New Student Segments

The future of higher education depends on access. We help institutions connect with new and diverse learners—adult, online, transfer, and workforce—aligning programs and messages that meet them where they are and move them toward what’s next.

Driving Retention and Student Engagement

Student success is the ultimate measure of institutional health. We help colleges and universities keep the promises made during recruitment—connecting leadership, communications, physical spaces, and support systems that improve belonging, persistence, and retention.

Our Partners

We Partner with Organizations That Lift Up Higher Ed