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Challenge XIII: Culture and Identity

Response:

Miller College has developed its own identity as a four-year institution with a great reputation.  Full distinction has been recognized from Kellogg Community College which is housed on the same campus.  The high academic reputation, great personal service to students, and commitment to the community is recognized and applauded. To focus on the College’s own identity, Miller College has accomplished the following through its outreach:

Themes from Community Stakeholders, the Miller College and Miller Foundation Boards, Students, Alumni, and Friends of the College:

    • Flexibility for students,
    • great word-of-mouth marketing,
    • cool mascot,
    • high percentage of education students that pass the state test,
    • outstanding students/faculty relationships,
    • access to organizational leaders,
    • consistent pattern of growth in enrollment,
    • consistent assessment,
    • good relationship/standing with HLC,
    • Pre Bob Miller culture and its values,
    • the Robert B. Miller legacy,
    • surprising success, strong support and commitment from communities,
    • faster launch of programs,
    • efficiency,
    • less bureaucratic,
    • visionary college leadership,
    • exposure to students to community and key leaders,
    • willingness to look for new opportunities and move forward,
    • local connection,
    • commitment to community service,
    • good value proposition, outstanding faculty,
    • commitment to students,
    • practitioners,
    • small class sizes, personal attention,
    • fulfilling a need and market in our community,
    • programs for the future,
    • meeting nursing needs of employers,
    • good networking – college to and from community,
    • strong board leadership,
    • excellent facilities and location,
    • modalities of delivery,
    • relationship with KCC,
    • continual involvement of the local foundations,
    • no legacy,
    • no history of entrenchment,
    • graduate communication skills,
    • Nursing Program is nationally accredited,
    • School of Education Field Placements,
    • Full staff loyalty and competence.

Branding Miller College

Miller College hosted a Branding Session  on July 22, 2011 with Mr. John Hambrick, Consultant. John is an experienced branding leader who has worked in both the Agency and Corporate side.  His 25+ year career has been devoted to the development & nurturing of brands across a range of industries in both B2C and B2B domains.  John has worked with iconic brands including Sony, McDonald's, Marlboro, Heinz, Pepsi, Chevrolet, Suave, TAG Heuer, and Miller, among others. And his work has been honored numerous times, including multiple EFFIES, POPAI, ADDY, and London Advertising awards.

In his presentation to Miller College students, faculty, staff, and guests, Mr. Hambrick shared the concept of, Enlightened Branding: Engaging On Brand Values to Make Your Organization More Valued

Mr. Hambrick noted that “in this era of hyper-connectivity and ubiquitous social media, it's never been more important . . . or challenging . . . for organizations to be distinctive, consistent, and aligned with their markets.  The best management strategies, however, still have a common power source:  brand vision.  Because a brand is more than a product idea, or service philosophy, or marketing communications element; it's a clearly defined and compelling set of differentiating values that inform beliefs, inspire behaviors, and ignite loyalty . . . inside and outside an organization.  And when we lead & operate from these values, we create shared purpose & experience that elevate our brands and make them more valued . . . which, in turn makes our businesses more valuable.”

On July 22, 2011 Mr. Hambrick shared, “ branding trends, essential implications, and the bedrock imperatives so brand leaders are better equipped to create branding strategies that unite & engage all the diverse stakeholders required for success.”  As a result of that experience/workshop with Mr. Hambrick, the Marketing Department at Miller College developed a Brand Naming Contest as received many following submissions for the College Brand.   A survey from the Marketing Department was distributed to the students, faculty and staff and after many entries, the tagline for Miller College became: Personalized Education, Professional Results.

Evidence:

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