Atlanta — March 20, 1998

Georgia residents are about to learn that the state’s 15 two-year public colleges are “A Pretty Cool Way to Get Started” in terms of a college education. This is the theme of a state-wide information campaign to raise awareness among Georgians of these two-year colleges.

The campaign was developed by the University System of Georgia. Commercials appeared on television and radio beginning the week of March 16. Other elements of the campaign include a CD-ROM that provides information on the University System and each of its two-year colleges, as well as a toll-free number individuals can call for more information about the colleges and how to apply.

“We want potential students to recognize the educational opportunities available through our two-year colleges,” said University System of Georgia Chancellor Stephen R. Portch. “Two-year colleges are an important access point for many people to public higher education. This campaign speaks to the unique advantages offered at our two-year colleges.”

Those advantages include: classes close to home and convenient times for students who work; the ability to use the HOPE scholarship to pay tuition and books; small classes; and the ability to either earn a two-year associate degree and move into the workforce or transfer to a four-year state college or university.

The campaign was developed from a 1996 study of the state’s public two-year colleges by an advisory committee of two-year college presidents appointed by Chancellor Portch. The committee recommended that an effort coordinated by the University System on behalf of all two-year colleges was needed to increase public awareness of the role the state’s two-year colleges play in providing access to public higher education.

The campaign was developed by a special committee composed of two-year college presidents, marketing officials, and Board of Regents’ Central Office personnel. The committee hired the public relations firm of GCI Group in Atlanta to help develop the information campaign.

The 30-second television commercial was produced by Steve Carmichael Productions, of Atlanta. Two 60-second radio commercials were produced by Solomon Says, of Atlanta. One of the two radio spots is targeted toward high school seniors; the other spot is targeted toward older adults who may be considering college.

The CD-ROM project was developed by CollegeView, of Cincinnati, Ohio, which specializes in developing information resources in this new medium. Fifteen thousand CD-ROM’s will be used by the two-year schools to inform potential students. CollegeView will link information from the CD-ROM to their own web site which will allow individuals viewing the CollegeView site to instantly connect to the two-year college website that interests them.

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