MUSCLE SHOALS/PHIL CAMPBELL – Northwest Shoals Community College launched a refreshed visual identity that celebrates the college’s unity and the impact it has continued to have on Northwest Alabama since 1963.
One unifying symbol was actually the removal of one: the hyphen between “Northwest” and “Shoals.”
“Throughout the process, the rebranding committee noticed a general distaste for the hyphen among stakeholders,” said Trent Randolph, NWSCC Public Relations and Marketing director. “We found that, to many, it was seen as a divider between the campuses. We wanted to remedy any symbolism that did not signify our unity as a college.
“The new logo selection is very collegiate with a strong sense of unity. Northwest Shoals is a fabric of our communities that we serve in Northwest Alabama. Regardless of the campus you visit, Northwest Shoals faculty and staff are united in serving our area schools, community, students, and workforce in the best way we can.”
The college’s rebrand initiative is a result of a $100,000 national branding grant from the Lumina Foundation in August 2022 through The Million Dollar Community College Challenge.
According to President Dr. Jeff Goodwin, the process started with one objective: Listen to the campus community to discover the visual representation of what makes Northwest Shoals special.
“Our research process was predominantly community and student driven,” Goodwin said. “We came out of those meetings aware that we needed a visual identity that was welcoming, unifying, and collegiate.
“The branding committee heard story after story about how Northwest Shoals changed students’ lives, but they did not feel our logo represented their collegiate experience.”
The school conducted market research meetings and focus groups. After meeting with alumni, faculty, staff, students, K-12 educators, and community leaders, a consensus emerged.
All logos were developed in partnership with Rickabaugh Graphics, a national collegiate branding firm and an official National Junior College Athletic Association branding partner. Digital branding updates are being made while signs and other products will be implemented in phases as funds allow.
FAME signings
You’ve heard about scholarship signings when sports stars put their name on the line for their chosen team. Well, Northwest Shoals has added a twist to that practice, honoring students who sign on to study manufacturing skills while simultaneously getting work experience.
The Shoals-area community college hosted a Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) Signing Day with 26 students sponsored by 12 local companies.
The FAME Advanced Manufacturing Technician program at NWSCC is a pathway to a challenging and well-paying career as a multi-skilled technician. Students will attend classes two full days per week for 16-20 hours per week while working three days a week for 24+ contact hours with a sponsoring company. Over two years, students can earn as much as $33,500, which, with planning, can cover all of a student’s education expenses.
“It is so exciting to see the difference the FAME program is making in the lives of our students and with our industry partners,” Goodwin said. “This is our biggest (FAME) class yet. The partnership we have formed with all 26 companies through this program will benefit our students, their companies, and our community.”
After five semesters, AMT students earn an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Systems Technology, approximately 1,800 hours of on-the-job-training and work experience, an Advanced Manufacturing certificate, and the opportunity for full-time employment or to continue on to a bachelor’s degree.
The FAME program began in Kentucky in 2009 with Toyota as one of the main initial industry sponsors. The NWSCC program, one of seven in the state, is in its third year.
For more information about FAME at NWSCC, contact Allison Mefford at 256-331-5266 or email [email protected] or visit www.nwscc.edu/fame.
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