Kayla Eddy doing social at press conference

Marketing & Communications

The Marketing and Communications department works with our colleagues across campus to aggregate, curate, and steward the Rockford University brand and elevate the contributions of our campus community to both internal and external audiences, including students, faculty and staff, trustees, donors, the media and the general public.

A Rock Solid Education starts here!

The tangible expression of our brand promise, in language and in graphic presentation, lies in our current image campaign identified with the tagline Rock Solid. The foundation of Rock Solid exists in our Brand Promise and subsequent attributes and benefits that support our promise. The Rock Solid brand identity is more than just two words—it is not just saying we are Rock Solid. It is about proving it. Rock Solid is more than a tagline or slogan, it’s an attitude!

Brand Promise: Rockford University challenges and supports learners with rich academic opportunities, practical experiences, and global perspectives to develop the knowledge, values, and skills that impact their lives and our world.

Our brand promise statement is structured to link a cluster of defining attributes that broadly represent the institution in the minds of our students, faculty and staff, administration, parents, alumni, community, and prospective students. These attributes include:

Inviting campus with urban opportunities.

An inviting campus is more than just being welcoming and friendly. At Rockford University, you see a campus community where members truly engage in personal relationships with each other—students, faculty, staff, alumni, and more. From the moment you step foot on campus—as a visitor on a campus tour, a parent coming to campus to see his or her son or daughter, or an alum coming back for Homecoming—it feels like home. And while in this setting, you are able to discover professional and personal opportunities. From internships to career opportunities, sporting events to theatre productions, Rockford and nearby Chicago provide a wealth of chances to explore.

A community of communities.

When you look at Rockford University, one aspect of the University truly does stand out—it is a community of communities. It’s more than just offering a substantial amount of activities and clubs for its students. It’s bringing together those communities, intersecting the groups with each other, and cohesively building one community. And that’s what Rockford University does extremely well. You not only see students involved in varying activities, but they support each other in their endeavors. It’s an interactive campus environment whose members are there for each other, day in and day out.

Accomplished and engaged faculty and staff.

As seen in other elements of the brand promise, Rockford University’s faculty and staff show a commitment to the individual through their expertise and caring nature. In classrooms across campus, faculty members guide students step-by-step as they gain knowledge, values, and skills to inform their personal and professional lives. Students learn firsthand from experts in their respective disciplines—many who hold the highest degrees in their fields, including adjuncts—while staff members are there to help students with questions and concerns when they aren’t in the classroom. Without accomplished and engaged faculty and staff, Rockford University wouldn’t be what it is today.

A focus on global perspectives.

Rockford University realizes the importance of a global education. The ability to grow and prosper in a global setting has never been more important, and Rockford University students are able to learn through curriculum and programs that have an international focus. It’s more than offering five language study programs on campus or having students at Rockford University from multiple foreign countries (which Rockford University does). The institution prepares students, faculty, and community members for active participation in a rapidly changing global society through internationalizing the campus and its curriculum, facilitating experiential learning opportunities, and developing international partnerships with universities around the world.

Ties academic experience with practical applications.

The pursuit of a college education is an endeavor fueled by a desire to learn and the application of those learned skills in personal and professional lives. While Rockford University does have proven results when it comes to placing students in careers they desire, the process is not treated as an end that comes by just any means. From internships to job shadowing, Rockford University directly ties academic experiences with practical applications through work inside and outside of the classroom.

Our Services

As your strategic marketing partner, we provide our campus community with a variety of services. Our in-house team of creative professionals will work with you to tailor our services to help you in the most cost-effective, efficient, and convenient manner. 

Press information & Media inquiries

Rockford University Communications believes that restrictions on news media personnel should be limited. However, respect for the privacy of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors requires some rules regarding access. For press information and media inquiries please contact our Marketing and Communications department at communications@rockford.edu.  

Merit

Merit is a media platform that helps RU publish online news about student accomplishments through students’ hometown newspapers and via social media. News can also be shared with students’ high schools and elected officials. RU proudly shares their good news on our Rockford University Merit page and our Student Achievements- Merit page

Social Media & Event Promotion

Our Marketing and Communications department exists to elevate the contributions of our campus community to both internal and external audiences, including students, faculty and staff, trustees, donors, the media and the general public. To stay on top of current events happening on campus view our Campus Events calendar. This allows our campus community to know all the great activities and other happenings they need to attend!  

Our social media accounts currently include Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, etc. Please refer to the footer below to access the links to each channel. Additionally, various other departments across campus maintain secondary social media channels in support of their work.

Per the Rockford University Brand Standards Guide, any marketing projects intended for off-campus audiences must be reviewed and approved by the Marketing department before distribution. Please note, the Marketing/Communications staff in this guide is now incorrect. You can find a list of our current team here

Other Departmental Services include:

  • Visual design for print and digital formats/platforms
  • Marketing and advertising strategy, including all external advertising buys
  • Market research
  • Photography and videography
  • Content strategy
  • Web development and training
  • Media Training
  • Social Media Training

Marketing & Communications
Rockford University
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108

Marketing/Communications Team:

Sara Myers, Digital Media & Communications Specialist

  • Email: smyers@rockford.edu
  • Phone: 815-394-5052 

Kayla Eddy, Social Media & Web Coordinator

  • Email: keddy@rockford.edu
  • Phone: 815-394-5041

RU Marketing/Communications email:

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