San Juan College received national recognition for excellence in marketing and communications at the 2025 Paragon Awards, presented by the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR).
Awards Highlight Excellence in Community College Marketing and Communications
The awards ceremony took place during the organization’s national conference in Washington, D.C., bringing together community college professionals from across the country.
This year’s competition drew 1,585 entries from 216 colleges nationwide, making it one of the most competitive years on record.
San Juan College Wins Silver and Bronze Awards
San Juan College’s Marketing and Public Relations team earned recognition in two highly competitive categories, highlighting the college’s commitment to creative storytelling, strategic communication and student engagement.
- Silver Award in the Logo Wear category for its design of the National Hispanic Heritage Month T-shirt – “Vamos SJC!”. Created for the Herencia Latina Center, the T-shirt celebrates Hispanic culture and community while supporting campus-wide engagement during National Hispanic Heritage Month. The design reflects both cultural pride and the college’s inclusive mission.
- Bronze Award in the Print category for the 2024 Annual Report, “Rowing in Sync: A Shared Journey to Success.” This publication showcases a year of progress and achievement at San Juan College through a combination of compelling storytelling, data-driven insights and impactful photography.
National Recognition for Community College Innovation
NCMPR President Patrick Stone emphasized the importance of marketing and communications professionals in advancing student success at community colleges.
“Behind every enrollment milestone, retention gain, and student success story is a team of marketing and communications professionals working strategically and creatively to connect students with opportunity,” Stone said. “This year’s winners stood out in an extraordinary field of entries, demonstrating that when community colleges invest in creativity and innovation, they amplify their mission and transform lives.”
The Paragon Awards are judged by industry professionals with expertise in marketing, communications, and design. This year, 67 judges evaluated submissions based on creativity, strategy, and effectiveness.
Advancing Student Success Through Strategic Marketing
The national recognition reflects San Juan College’s ongoing commitment to using strategic marketing and communication to support student achievement and community engagement. By combining innovative design with clear messaging, the college continues to connect students with educational opportunities and resources that support their success.
San Juan College serves more than 9,000 students annually across five campuses and offers over 140 associate degree and certificate programs. In addition to credit programs, the college provides workforce training to approximately 4,000 individuals and non-credit community learning opportunities to nearly 1,800 students each year.
With a focus on affordability, accessibility and innovation, San Juan College prepares students to succeed in a rapidly evolving global economy while strengthening the communities it serves.
About NCMPR
The National Council for Marketing & Public Relations supports the professional development of community college communicators. The organization serves more than 1,500 members from over 400 colleges across the United States and Canada. NCMPR is the only organization dedicated exclusively to marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges and is one of the largest affiliates of the American Association of Community Colleges.
