Stratospheric tuition. Escalating costs. Shifting demography. Expanding choice. These and other numerous external factors can potentially damage, or even deplete, the new student prospect pool, so schools must pay more attention than ever before to marketing concerns. While many equate marketing with advertising and promotion, making the most of external initiatives begins with a cohesive and collaborative internal effort. The most effective school marketers recognize the power of partnerships among key internal stakeholders, including faculty, admissions, development and finance staff. Integrating departmental functions is not only good leadership and management — it’s great marketing. By listening carefully to those you seek to serve, making sure all stakeholders understand their roles, and putting the right technology infrastructure in place to support communication, schools can foster strong internal collaboration that helps to advance their missions.

Corey McPherson Nash,  a national branding and design firm, helps its clients connect better with their audiences through brand, print, interactive and social media communications.