At Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC), storytelling isn’t just about sharing news—it’s about showing how education changes lives. Each photo, campaign, and headline is crafted with one goal in mind: to connect more people to opportunity, a news release says.
That purpose was front and center as EICC’s Marketing & Communications team took the stage at the 2025 National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) District 5 Medallion Awards, bringing home nine awards—including three Gold Medallions—and a major individual honor: Erin Snyder, EICC’s Chief Communications Officer, was named Communicator of the Year for District 5.
EICC’s Marketing & Communications team is small but mighty, working across Clinton, Muscatine, and Scott Community Colleges to share the stories of students, employees, and communities that make up “The Community’s College.” Their award-winning work spans heartfelt storytelling, strategic design, and creative digital engagement. The team includes:
- Erin Snyder, chief communications officer & HLC accreditation liaison
- Johnna Kerres, associate director for marketing & communications
- Nicole Harrison, web and digital strategist
- Nathan Klaus, graphic artist
- Matt Thomas, graphic artist
- Dawn Neuses, strategic content and writing specialist
- Griffin Wagner, marketing coordinator.
NCMPR’s District 5 includes community and technical colleges from Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Manitoba (Canada)—making EICC’s showing especially impressive among peers across the Midwest.
Gold Awards: Booklet: With Great Joy. Chancellor Retirement Booklet; brochure, Employee Training and Professional Development. Continuing Education Brochure; Brochure. Employee Training and Professional Development. Continuing Education Brochure; Campaign Wildcard: Amplifying Accreditation. A Communications-Led Approach to Institutional Readiness.
Silver Awards: Postcard Series: EICC Fall 2025 Enrollment Push (Postcards 1–3); booklet: 2025 EICC Commencement Program; Excellence in Writing – Short Form: The Door That’s Always Open. MCC’s De-Stress Room; Campaign Wildcard: Chats with the Chancellor. Ready, Set, Renfro.
Bronze Awards: Social Media or Online Marketing Campaign: College Doesn’t Have to Be Scary! Halloween Social Media Campaign; Excellence in Writing – Short Form: Rooted at Home. Rising with Purpose.
About Erin Snyder
As the 2025 District 5 Communicator of the Year, Erin Snyder joins an elite group of professionals recognized for leading with creativity, strategy, and impact. The honor celebrates her vision and the way she empowers her team to do their best work. A 30-year veteran of EICC, Snyder has served in seven roles and now oversees marketing, institutional research, and accreditation as the college’s higher learning commission (HLC) accreditation liaison officer. She helped lead EICC through its 2024 HLC visit, championed a district-wide logo refresh uniting all three campuses under one cohesive identity, and is guiding efforts toward a single mascot to strengthen college pride.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Snyder also co-coordinates EICC’s internal leadership development program. Her ability to blend creativity, strategy, and heart has shaped not just the marketing department, but the entire culture of how EICC tells its story. For Snyder and the team, these awards represent more than recognition—they’re a reminder that storytelling matters. Every campaign, brochure, or video reflects a belief that education transforms lives—and that behind every great college story is a team dedicated to telling it well.
In the attached group photo from left to right: