FLOTUS Visits Forsyth Tech Community College

About the Episode: In January, the First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS), Dr. Jill Biden, visited Forsyth Tech Community College’s Campus to celebrate the National Science Foundation’s groundbreaking investment of $30 million in a biotechnology initiative to revolutionize STEM education and workforce readiness. Shane Baglini sat down with Dr. Janet Spriggs, President, and Devin Purgason, Executive Director of Marketing and Student Care, to talk about the ins and outs of planning for a dignitary to visit campus. Dr. Spriggs and Devin outline how their culture of collaboration prepared them for this event, how quickly the event came together, the moving parts involved, and the need to break down silos not only on campus but with the surrounding community to pull a First Family visit off.

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Key Takeaways

• Breaking Silos is Crucial: Large-scale events, like a visit from the First Lady, highlight the importance of trust, collaboration, and communication across departments in higher education institutions.
• The Impact of Community Colleges: Forsyth Tech’s focus on equitable economic mobility and innovative workforce development positions community colleges as essential drivers of social change.
• Marketing and Leadership Must Be Aligned: Close collaboration between institutional leadership and marketing teams can amplify the success of major initiatives and events.
• Adaptability is Key: When working with high-stakes, fast-moving events, institutions must demonstrate agility, creativity, and teamwork to achieve excellence.

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Episode Summary

Dr. Jill Biden’s Visit: A Historic Opportunity for Forsyth Tech

The January visit of First Lady Dr. Jill Biden was a milestone for Forsyth Tech Community College. With only three days’ notice, the college successfully orchestrated an event that drew national attention to its role in workforce development and biotechnology education. Dr. Janet Spriggs recalled the initial excitement upon learning about the visit, while Devin Purgason described the logistical and creative challenges involved in preparing for the event, from coordinating with Secret Service to ensuring branding was strategically placed throughout campus.

Dr. Biden’s presence underscored her deep connection to community colleges and her commitment to uplifting institutions like Forsyth Tech, which serve as engines for economic mobility.

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The National Science Foundation Engines Grant: Transforming Biotechnology Education

A focal point of Dr. Biden’s visit was Forsyth Tech’s involvement in a National Science Foundation (NSF) Engines grant, a transformative initiative aimed at advancing biotechnology workforce development in North Carolina. Forsyth Tech is collaborating with Wake Forest University and other regional institutions to prepare students for cutting-edge careers in biotechnology, including fields like regenerative medicine and 3D organ printing.

Dr. Spriggs emphasized that the grant would allow Forsyth Tech to invest in state-of-the-art equipment and create pathways for students from underserved communities to access high-paying, life-changing careers. This initiative is a powerful example of how community colleges can be catalysts for regional economic growth.

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Collaboration Across Campus: A Lesson in Breaking Silos

Pulling off an event of this magnitude required seamless collaboration across multiple departments, including campus police, facilities, marketing, and external partners. Purgason detailed the intense planning process, which included creating signage, coordinating with local and national media, and adapting to last-minute changes. The key to success? Trust and open communication.

Dr. Spriggs highlighted the value of having a tightly connected leadership and marketing team, ensuring everyone was aligned on the college’s strategic vision. This cohesion not only made the event a success but also strengthened Forsyth Tech’s reputation as a leader in innovation and student support.

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Reflections and Lessons for Higher Education

Sustaining Momentum After Major Events

Dr. Spriggs and Purgason emphasized the importance of leveraging the visibility generated by high-profile events. Forsyth Tech’s marketing team continues to build on the momentum from Dr. Biden’s visit through targeted outreach, student-centered social media campaigns, and ongoing media coverage. The visit also paved the way for new partnerships and reinforced the college’s role as a vital community resource.

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The Role of Community Colleges in Economic Mobility

Forsyth Tech’s mission—“to love and serve students to success”—resonated deeply throughout the episode. By focusing on equitable access to education and addressing barriers such as poverty, the institution exemplifies the transformative power of community colleges. The NSF Engines grant will further enable Forsyth Tech to uplift students and communities by providing pathways to in-demand, well-paying careers.

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Advice for Higher Education Leaders and Marketers

For administrators: Ensure your team is aligned around a shared vision and strategic goals. This alignment fosters collaboration and positions the institution to respond effectively to opportunities and challenges.

For marketers: Success requires grit and adaptability. As Purgason advised, be ready to go above and beyond to capitalize on opportunities that elevate your institution’s brand and mission.

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About the Show:  We hear it every day across campuses: “We need to be working more collaboratively.” The higher education industry is notoriously siloed, with colleagues struggling to connect, duplicating services or having disjointed messaging.

Breaking Silos aims to showcase the remarkable work of marketing professionals and their non-marketing colleagues from different departments across campus, who come together to achieve common goals, implement new initiatives, enhance the student experience, and foster better collaboration among teams.

Each episode features a marketer and their non-marketing colleague to talk about their partnership. This unique format will inspire marketers to try new things and connect with colleagues in new ways, while also allowing non-marketing professionals an inside look at some of the most collaborative projects in higher education marketing.

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Connect With Our Host:
Shane Baglini
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanebaglini/ 

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About The Enrollify Podcast Network: Breaking Silos is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Some of our favorites include Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook and The Application with Allison Turcio.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com. 

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Connect with Us at the Engage Summit: Exciting news —  Maya will be at the 2024 Engage Summit in Raleigh, NC, on June 25 and 26, and we’d love to meet you there! Sessions will focus on cutting-edge AI applications that are reshaping student outreach, enhancing staff productivity, and offering deep insights into ROI. 

Use the discount code Enrollify50 at checkout, and you can register for just $99! This early bird pricing lasts until March 31. 

Learn more and register at engage.element451.com — we can’t wait to see you there!