BHCC Magazine and Marketing Team Win Six Regional Awards

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

The National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) honored Bunker Hill’s Integrated Marketing and Communications (IMC) Division with six medallions at its District I Conference in Buffalo, NY, this month. 

The awards recognize excellence in communication and design at community and technical colleges in the northeastern United States and Canada. 

Redesigned BHCC Magazine Wins Big

Notably, the College’s recently redesigned flagship publication, Bunker Hill Community College Magazine, earned three medallions for excellence in writing, illustration, and photography. 

The magazine’s transformation was a comprehensive strategic initiative that engaged students, faculty, alumni, and community partners in redefining the magazine’s purpose. Working with design partner 2communique, which specializes in magazine redesign for educational institutions, IMC established a new editorial mission, publication architecture, visual identity, and production framework.

The project was led by IMC’s Executive Director and BHCC Magazine Editor and Writer Leslie Ouellette; Marketing & Creative Services Director and Managing Editor and Writer Brooke Yarborough; IMC Assistant Director and Writer Jimmy Lee; and Graphic Designers Michael Mauceri and Anita Wolf. Digital Content and Web Communications Director Nikki Moro, along with Craig Koebelin and Senia Marin, led the redesign of the magazine’s online presence, creating a more modern, cohesive digital experience aligned with the College’s website.

The resulting publication blends business and lifestyle journalism with authentic, people-centered storytelling. Rich photography, custom illustration, infographics, and compelling long-form features bring the College's impact to life, while new recurring departments, including The Hub, Life Kit, Ask the Expert, Field Work, and Defining Moment, offer readers fresh perspectives on the BHCC community.

The magazine received medallions in the following categories:

• Gold Medallion – Excellence in Writing – Long Form: “Taking His Shot,” written by Brooke Yarborough, follows BHCC Bulldogs standout Giovanni “Gio” Cordero Novas’ journey from putting college on hold to becoming NJCAA Region 21 Player of the Year. The narrative feature explores resilience, leadership, and the transformative power of a community college education.
• Gold Medallion – Computer-Generated Illustration: An original illustration by Lulu Debreuil, commissioned for the magazine’s cover feature, “No Trade-Off Required,” written by Laura J. Cole, explores the intersection of education, workforce training, and career pathways. The illustration was incorporated into the editorial layout designed by Anita Wolf to bring the story highlighting apprenticeship degree programs at the College.
• Silver Medallion – Original Photography (Manipulated): Editorial photography by Adam DeTour accompanying “Taking His Shot” captures Gio’s journey on and off the basketball court. Combining environmental portraits, candid moments, and game action, the images are brought together in an editorial layout designed by Michael Mauceri.

Bulldog Bites Builds a Distinctive Brand Identity

• Gold Medallion – Logo Design: Developed for the College's newly renovated campus café, the Bulldog Bites brand identity emerged from a collaborative naming and branding process involving campus stakeholders. The resulting identity features a distinctive wordmark with a fork seamlessly integrated into the typography. The playful, memorable design connects the café to the College's Bulldog mascot and is featured across environmental graphics, signage, and print and digital applications.

A Commitment to Enrollment and Retention Marketing

• Gold Medallion – Outdoor Signage: Developed as part of the College's student enrollment campaign, a series of large-format pole banners transformed campus walkways into vibrant, welcoming spaces. Featuring bold student photography, oversized typography, and the College's signature colors, the banners celebrate the diversity, opportunity, and energy of the BHCC community while reinforcing institutional identity and fostering campus pride.
• Bronze Medallion – Poster (Series): "Every Season Starts Here," a year-round student retention campaign, promotes registration for spring, summer, fall, and winter academic sessions. Beyond posters and into digital displays, the campaign uses a flexible visual system that evolves throughout the academic year while maintaining a consistent, recognizable identity across multiple communication channels.

The six award-winning entries will advance for consideration in NCMPR's national Paragon Awards in spring 2027, where they will compete against outstanding marketing and communications work from community and technical colleges across the country.