NCMPR District 3 & 5 Conference

Details

 In an increasingly competitive educational landscape, community colleges must move beyond generic recruitment and lean into a distinct, research-backed institutional personality. We are engaging with District 3 and District 5 leaders in St. Louis to showcase how uncovering “brand truth” can shatter the sea of sameness and build deep-seated affinity with prospective students. By integrating our psychometric insights into local marketing strategies, we help our partners create an unmistakable presence that commands attention and drives sustainable growth.

Presentation

Beyond Affordability: What the Next Generation Needs to Hear From Community Colleges

Presented by Pope Mobley, AVP, Community College Solutions, Carnegie and Brad Henderson, Director of Public Relations & Marketing, Allen Community College
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 8:00 AM

Community colleges have a clear affordability advantage, but Carnegie’s national research of more than 3,300 students ages 13–18 shows that cost alone does not tell the full story.

Students who are firmly interested in community college evaluate their options differently from those considering community college alongside four-year institutions. For some students, financial considerations lead the decision. For others, academics, career pathways, campus experience, support, and confidence in the institution matter even more.

This session will explore how the next generation is thinking about community college, what shapes their decisions, and how their priorities vary across key audience segments. Attendees will learn how to apply these findings to enrollment campaigns, website content, social media, program marketing, and student communications. The session will include examples, practical reflection exercises, and a framework participants can use to assess whether their current messaging answers the questions prospective students are actually asking.