CCRI named finalist in Lumina Foundation’s Million Dollar Community College challenge
May 2, 2022
The Community College of Rhode Island is one of 10 finalists nationwide in Lumina
Foundation’s The Million Dollar Community College Challenge, which will award $1.9 million in grant funding to amplify brand-building and strategic
marketing efforts at America’s community colleges.
The Million Dollar Community College Challenge aims to support efforts that deepen the aspirational connection between community
colleges and adult students interested in pursuing a college degree or post-high school
credential. The winner will receive a $1 million grant to support brand building and
strategic marketing efforts. The nine runners-up will each receive $100,000. All 10
finalists will receive technical assistance to develop actionable brand building and
marketing strategies. The winner will be announced in August.
The 10 finalists were announced during a virtual ceremony Thursday. CCRI joins the
College of Eastern Idaho, County College of Morris (New Jersey), Great Falls College
Montana State University, Long Beach City College, Houston Community College, Madera
Community College (California), Madison Area Technical College (Wisconsin), Minnesota
State College Southeast, and Northwest-Shoals Community College (Alabama).
During the second round of the competition, each of the finalists will create a video
narrative that captures what is uniquely exceptional about their college and illustrates
the promise that adults should expect as community college students.
“The Million Dollar Community College Challenge is all about promoting the opportunities
at community colleges and connecting adults to higher education,” said Shauna Davis,
strategy director for community college participation at Lumina. “The 10 finalists
each submitted a compelling vision for making vital campus to community connections
and creative ideas for promoting their colleges brand.”
"CCRI is inspired by Lumina's visionary commitment to reimagining the brand identity
of community colleges nationwide. We are excited that Lumina has allowed us to tell
our story and engage a new community of adults in the transformative power of a CCRI
education. We will start as we always do – by listening to and learning from the prospective
students we seek to serve,” said Amy Kempe, director of Marketing and Communications
for CCRI.
About Lumina Foundation
Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis that is committed
to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. We envision
a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s need
for talent through a broad range of credentials. Our goal is to prepare people for
informed citizenship and for success in a global economy.
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