Marketing wins 4 Medallion Awards and McDorman named Communicator of the Year

Published: 10/31/2018

The St. Charles Community College Department of Marketing and Communications took home four Medallion awards and a Communicator of the Year award at the annual National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) District 5 fall conference.

SCC earned Gold Medallions in the Annual Report and Social Media categories and Silver Medallions for Original Photo (unmanipulated) and Notes-Cards-Invites.

“These are more than simply awards to recognize individual excellence – though they certainly do that as well,” said Ben Munson, SCC director of marketing. “They are a key indicator that the work SCC is producing to aid in enrollment and overall awareness of the college is effective and current with the trends within the market, and that is what makes us most proud.”

Heather McDorman, SCC vice president for marketing and student life, was also named the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) 2018 Communicator of the Year for District 5.

Over the past 29 years, McDorman has made a mark on SCC and the higher education marketing profession. "She continuously works to ensure marketing and communications professionals are at the leadership table. She's helped navigate through various community college marketing changes. From harnessing the power of the college's early websites to embracing social media to deciphering the ever-changing media landscape, she has been at the forefront, serving four college presidents and mentoring dozens of aspiring communicators along the way," said Jeff Ebbing, director of marketing and communications at Southeastern Community College - Iowa. 

As for big projects, McDorman has "quite literally, been there, done that," he said. Accomplishments include shepherding two college re-branding efforts, leading government relations to expand the college's taxing district, overseeing two full website redesigns in addition to the college's first intranet portal, and chairing the annual community wellness event.

During a college realignment, she demonstrated her signature leadership style by learning the various job functions, identifying opportunities and more. 

McDorman is an advocate of the profession. In addition to being active in PRSA and the Missouri Community College Association, she extremely active in NCMPR. She is a regular presenter at district and national conferences, she's written for the Council, NCMPR's monthly message, and has completed the full arc of NCMPR leadership roles from district director to past president, serving as president in 2010-11. 

One of the most prestigious awards presented to an NCMPR member, the Communicator of the Year Award recognizes a two-year college marketing, public relations or communications professional who has demonstrated leadership in the area of college communications and marketing.

Heather McDorman, vice president for marketing and student life, has been named 2018 NCMPR District 5 Communicator of the Year.

The District 5 conference was hosted in Rochester, Minn., and the award program included 291 entries from 32 member colleges across 37 categories in the annual competition.

SCC is part of NCMPR’s District 5, which is made up of seven states plus Manitoba, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.