Elizabeth City, NC — College of The Albemarle (COA) is proud to announce that its communications and marketing team has been honored with a District 2 Silver Medallion Award from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR). The award recognizes the team’s innovative and impactful “Better Skills. Better Jobs.” social media campaign, created with support from the John M. Belk Endowment and in collaboration with VisionPoint Marketing.

COA Communications and Marketing Director Tammy Sawyer, accepts the Medallion Award from Virginia Moreland, NCMPR President, during the District 2 Conference in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Medallion Awards are among the most esteemed in community college marketing and public relations, celebrating excellence across various categories. COA’s award-winning campaign, designed to resonate with adult learners, conveyed the transformative power of education in connecting students to better opportunities, higher pay, and fulfilling careers.

“This recognition affirms our commitment to helping students transform their tomorrows through education,” said Tammy Sawyer, COA Director of Communications and Marketing. “The ‘Better Skills. Better Jobs.’ campaign reflects the heart of our mission, showcasing the transformative power of education in building brighter futures. We’re incredibly grateful to the John M. Belk Endowment for their support in helping COA reach more adult learners. We also appreciate the collaboration with VisionPoint Marketing in bringing this vision to life.”

The campaign’s success lies in its targeted messaging, compelling visuals, and multi-platform reach, engaging prospective students through social media, online marketing, and dynamic digital content. From tailored messaging for various programs to overarching themes of affordability, flexibility, and support, the campaign addressed the unique challenges adult learners face and offered clear pathways to success.

“This award is a testament to the power of partnerships and the talent of our communications and marketing team,” said Dr. Jack Bagwell, President of College of The Albemarle. “By intentional efforts, not only from our communications and marketing team but the COA faculty and staff collectively, adult learners are realizing the opportunities available to them to transform their future. Through our marketing team’s efforts, many adults can envision a better future for themselves and their families with the education, training, and skills acquired through COA.”

COA’s Medallion Award win highlights the college’s dedication to the transformative impact of education in northeastern North Carolina.

The COA Communications and Marketing Team includes Tammy W. Sawyer, director; Kristen Childers, creative assistant; and Brittany Forbes, graphic designer/webmaster.

For more information about College of The Albemarle and its programs, please visit www.albemarle.edu.For all other COA-related information or media inquiries, contact Tammy W. Sawyer, director of communications and marketing, at 252-335-0821 ext. 2420 or [email protected].