The AMA Emerging Marketer in Higher Education Award recognizes an individual with 10 years or less experience in their higher education marketing career who has shown exceptional creativity and innovation in the field during the past academic year. All nominees will be considered regardless of organization size and budget.
The winner will be recognized at the at the 2025 AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education!
Nominations Close: August 31, 2025 11:59 PM CT
Watch the Higher Ed Awards Info Session Recording: Tips to Elevate Your Award Nominations
Missed the live session? No problem! The 2025 AMA Higher Ed Awards Planning Committee hosted an Awards Info Session on August 8, 2025, where we covered everything you need to know about the nomination process, award categories, and how to craft a standout entry. Watch the full session and get insider tips to strengthen your nomination:
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Eligibility and Award Criteria
Nominees for this award should demonstrate a visionary approach to higher education marketing and communications, incorporating traditional and/or digital methods. Their projects or campaigns should have significantly impacted the target audience’s engagement and response. The ideal candidate will exhibit exceptional creativity, originality, and effectiveness in their strategies, utilizing cutting-edge techniques to reach and connect with stakeholders. These innovations can stem from any role within the higher education community, including presidents, student affairs/service staff, faculty, or marketers.
Whether through groundbreaking campaigns, technology-driven initiatives, or unique storytelling approaches, their projects or initiatives should have had a measurable impact on enrollment, reputation, engagement, or overall brand perception.
The selection committee will evaluate nominations based on the following criteria:
- Innovation: The degree of originality and creativity demonstrated in the marketing and communications approach.
- Impact: The measurable outcomes and success achieved in reaching the target audience and achieving the institution’s goals.
- Adaptability: The ability to adapt to changing trends, technologies, and audience preferences while staying ahead of the curve in the dynamic higher education landscape.
- Scalability: The potential for the innovation to be replicated or adapted by other institutions, creating a broader impact within the industry.
Celebrating Our Marketers
Congratulations to our 2024 AMA Emerging Marketer in Higher Education Award Winner!
2024 Winner: Devin Purgason
Forsyth Technical Community College
Congratulations to our finalists:
- Allyson Schatzer, Ohio University
- Katelyn Mills-Erickson, University of Iowa