PCS publications win national and state awards

The University of Delaware’s Division of Professional and Continuing Studies (UD PCS) was recently recognized for its marketing and communications efforts at the state level by the Delaware Press Association (DPA) and at the national level by the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW).

Two UD PCS publications — the UD PCS 2017 PCS Spring Guide to Programs and Courses and the UD PCS 2016 Impact Report — earned first place awards from the Delaware Press Association. As first-place winners in the statewide competition, the projects were selected to compete against winners from other states in the 2017 NFPW Communications Contest. In the national competition, the Spring Guide to Programs and Courses earned second place and the Impact Report earned third.

Competing in the “catalogs, manuals and handbooks” and “reports” categories, the entries from the UD PCS marketing and communications team received praise from the judges.

Feedback on the guide included the following quote:

At first, I thought this catalog was a course list. It’s not. It really is a “sales tool” to bring people into PCS programs. It outlines information for students to obtain desired certificates and/or credit toward full degrees. The biographies strategically situated throughout are a plus in encouraging response. The sidebars expand understanding of programs, helping prospective students focus on what they want to achieve.

Feedback on the impact report included:

This is an eye-catching, informative publication. The quality of the infographics that convey much of the information is very good, and the colors used are bold and attention-getting. My top three choices in this category are all very, very close.

Steven Kendus, UD PCS Marketing and Communication manager, said he is grateful for the recognition and the contributions of the marketing and communications team members.

“In my eyes, our small but powerful marcomm team consistently produces high-quality, attention-grabbing and effective promotional pieces,” he said. “We are actively engaged in high-profile design, writing, production and monitoring activities 12 months a year, so it feels great to know that our team’s efforts are recognized and appreciated regionally and nationally.”

The Delaware Press Association is a state affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women and is comprised of a network of more than 150 journalists, broadcasters, public relations specialists, graphic designers, photojournalists, educators, authors, poets and freelancers who are dedicated to excellence in communication and to protecting First Amendment freedoms. The annual DPA Communications Contest is open to all professional communicators in Delaware and encourages and rewards excellence in communication. The contest is judged by out-of-state communications professionals to ensure impartiality and provides communicators opportunities to compete in various categories.

The National Federation of Press Women is a nationwide organization of professional women and men pursuing communications careers. NFPW contest winners are honored at the NFPW Annual Communications Contest Awards Banquet at the organization’s annual conference.


PHOTO: The UD PCS marketing and communications team accepted multiple awards at the 2017 Delaware Press Association Awards Banquet. From left, Steven Kendus, Sue Castelli, Nora Zelluk, Sherrie Fauvelle, Cindy Dolan and Marge Hadden.