Formally launched in June 2019, the rebranding effort involved a core group of 10-12 marketing staff representing the university’s colleges, athletics and foundation. There were months of outside research and discussions with 15 different constituent groups – former, current, and prospective students along with parents, community and business leaders, members of the media, the state’s general public, and more.
A creative agency was hired “to kind of help us shape the institutional brand,” said Mathes. “We just recently got everything to a point where we’re ready to launch the new brand.”
As it’s revealed, Nook said the new branding will tell the “unified story about the University of Northern Iowa” whether the message is coming from an academic department or college, UNI athletics, or campus entities like the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.
A part of that is the university’s student-first philosophy. Nook explained that’s wrapped up in UNI’s efforts to help students “achieve beyond their potential, really reach beyond what they thought was possible.”
In addition, he said, the rebranding will “really help (people) understand the role we’re playing in our state, not only in the economy but in the quality of life in the state of Iowa.”
Unveiling university logo is expected to begin the process of rolling out the new approach over time. A high-profile change, Nook said it is nonetheless “the least important piece” related to “how we as an institution communicate about ourselves.”
