Dragon Country Receives Awards and Recognition
HCC recognized nationally by AMCP and NCMPR
Howard Community College (HCC) has achieved significant recognition by earning awards from two national organizations, the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP) and the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR).
Podcasts produced by the college’s Dragon Digital Media team earned the college two Hermes Creative Awards; one platinum distinction and one honorable mention. The awards, administered and judged by AMCP, are one of the oldest and largest creative competitions in the world. The association fosters and supports the efforts of marketing and communication professionals who contribute their unique talents to public service and charitable organizations.
Platinum Distinction: "In Your Shoes with Jazmiera Smothers"
In this award-winning episode of “In Your Shoes,” Dr. Daria Willis, HCC president, connects with Certified Nursing Assistant student, Jazmiera Smothers. "The podcast beautifully captures the essence of Jazmiera's journey, highlighting the power of perseverance and care in our students," remarked Dr. Daria Willis. Listeners embarked on a compelling narrative journey, deep-diving into Jazmiera’s story of resilience and empathy. This resonated deeply, earning HCC the highest distinction of the Platinum Award—a testament to the institution's adept storytelling capabilities, facilitated by Dragon Digital Media's podcasts.
Honorable Mention: "Green Dragon"
Through a thought-provoking dialogue between Bob Marietta (HCC’s Environmental Health and Safety Supervisor) and Kim Pezza (chair of the Howard County Sustainability Board and member of the Columbia Association’s Climate Committee) on the local ramifications of climate change, HCC garnered an Honorable Mention. "Green Dragon," once again, initiated crucial discussions on environmental stewardship, showcasing HCC's unwavering commitment to sustainability, one of HCC’s values. "The podcast aims to ignite meaningful conversations about climate change. This recognition reaffirms the importance of raising awareness about environmental issues," stated Bob Marietta. The “Green Dragon” was also selected as a “Top 30 Maryland Education Podcast”!
The college’s office of public relations and marketing was also honored with a 2023 Bronze Paragon Award from NCMPR at the council’s national conference. Paragon Awards recognize outstanding achievement in design, strategy and communication at community and technical colleges. It is the only national competition of its kind exclusively among marketing and public relations professionals at two-year colleges.
Print Wild Card: “Commencement Activity Book”
The college received a bronze award in the Print Wild Card category for the design of a custom coloring book. The books are distributed at college events such as commencement to help entertain young audiences and serve as an introduction to the idea of college attendance for the next generation of scholars. Children can help the college’s mascot, Duncan the Dragon, through a maze, design their own mortarboard (graduation cap) and color in a page featuring the college’s student services hall and campus wildlife. The book is one of many initiatives HCC has undertaken to better serve student parents. In recent months, the college has opened a family-friendly study room in the library, joined the 2024 cohort of the Achieving the Dream national student success network, and announced plans to reopen the campus child care center.
The office of public relations and marketing, which includes Dragon Digital Media podcasts, is highly commended for their achievements at the AMCP and NCMPR Awards. These wonderful accomplishments underscore HCC’s dedication to excellence and innovation. Through impactful storytelling and substantive discourse, HCC continues to inspire positive change in order to meet students where they dream. “When you tell your college’s story well, you ensure your students can find themselves and the supports and services they need at your institution,” said Jeff Julian, NCMPR’s 2023-24 president. “It’s evident in the winning entries that our members are committed to serving their students.”