{"id":2057,"date":"2024-09-20T23:51:13","date_gmt":"2024-09-21T06:51:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sigcorp.com\/case-studies\/elevating-ucomm-nc-states-strategic-communications-overhaul\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T21:27:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T04:27:37","slug":"elevating-ucomm-nc-states-strategic-communications-overhaul","status":"publish","type":"case-study","link":"https:\/\/www.sigcorp.com\/case-studies\/elevating-ucomm-nc-states-strategic-communications-overhaul\/","title":{"rendered":"Elevating UCOMM: NC State’s Strategic Communications Overhaul"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"NC<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Institutional Profile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

North Carolina State University (NC State), founded in 1887, is a preeminent land-grant institution and powerhouse of research and innovation located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Serving approximately 36,000 students across over 300 undergraduate and graduate programs in 12 colleges, NC State is recognized as a top-tier research university with a strong commitment to practical application of knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The university recently completed a successful $2 billion capital campaign, exceeding its original goal, and has gained widespread recognition for its “Think and Do” brand campaign. NC State’s strategic focus emphasizes equity, diversity, inclusion, technological advancement, and elevating its global reputation. Known for its strong ties to industry and commitment to economic development, NC State continues to lead in solving real-world problems through interdisciplinary research and innovation, embodying its land-grant mission in the 21st century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Challenge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

North Carolina State University’s University Communications and Marketing (UCOMM) team faced several challenges in aligning with the institution’s new strategic plan and maintaining its high-performing status:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Ensuring UCOMM was well-positioned to support the University’s 2030 Strategic Plan<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Capitalizing on existing institutional credibility while preparing for a brand refresh<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Balancing the dual role of leading institutional marketing and communications while supporting other campus units<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives into UCOMM’s work<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Improving effectiveness through transformative technologies and data-driven processes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Elevating NC State’s national and global reputation and visibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Optimizing the organizational structure to foster innovation and cross-functional collaboration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Solution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    RHB implemented its 3-5 Design approach to assess and enhance UCOMM’s organizational capabilities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Strategy:<\/strong> Recommended focusing on three key institutional strategic goals as UCOMM’s north star, emphasizing DEIB initiatives and reputation enhancement<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Structure:<\/strong> Proposed a reimagining of the organizational structure to promote cross-functional teams and innovation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Staffing:<\/strong> Advised on organizational language and cultural practices to create belonging and empower strategic leadership<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Systems:<\/strong> Suggested establishing a set of recommended tools to unify communications and marketing across the university<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Spend:<\/strong> Provided benchmarking data and recommended a process for aligning strategic and budgetary priorities across the enterprise<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Key recommendations included:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Creating cross-functional teams to discuss constituent-centric projects and initiatives<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Developing strategies to help colleges and units have more shared ownership of strategic goals<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Implementing a model that tracks production and performance of research-based stories<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Establishing UCOMM as a leader in normalizing DEIB visibility at the University<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Applying the “lead and support” model to marketing and communications planning and budgeting across the university<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        The recommendations were presented to UCOMM during an all-staff retreat, fostering transparency and team engagement in the transformation process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/div>\n\n\n\n

        How SIG\/RHB Can Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        We specialize in helping institutions bridge the gap between strategic vision and operational reality. Our collaborative approach can help you redesign your UCOMM structure, enhance cross-functional collaboration, and implement data-driven decision-making processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Institutional Profile North Carolina State University (NC State), founded in 1887, is a preeminent land-grant institution and powerhouse of research and innovation located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Serving approximately 36,000 students across over 300 undergraduate and graduate programs in 12 colleges, NC State is recognized as a top-tier research university…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1736,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","insight_topic":[16],"class_list":["post-2057","case-study","type-case-study","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nElevating UCOMM: NC State's Strategic Communications Overhaul - Strata Information Group (SIG)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sigcorp.com\/case-studies\/elevating-ucomm-nc-states-strategic-communications-overhaul\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Elevating UCOMM: NC State's Strategic Communications Overhaul\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Institutional Profile North Carolina State University (NC State), founded in 1887, is a preeminent land-grant institution and powerhouse of research and innovation located in Raleigh, North Carolina. 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