Phi Theta Kappa Launches CCsmart Campaign to Promote Community College in Missouri

CCsmart, powered by Phi Theta Kappa, has launched a statewide awareness campaign in Missouri. This initiative aims to highlight community colleges as a smart choice for Missouri students, helping them achieve their educational and career goals. 

The campaign is partially funded by a grant from the Lumina Foundation, an independent private foundation dedicated to ensuring that learning opportunities beyond high school are available to all. According to Lumina’s research, 50% of working-aged adults in Missouri currently hold some type of college degree or workforce credential. The goal, set by Missouri Department of Higher Education and supported by Lumina, is to increase this to 60% by 2025.

“CCsmart lets Missouri’s communities know what we’ve known for a long time: community colleges are more than just accessible and affordable—they offer a quality education,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, Phi Theta Kappa’s President and CEO. “Students and parents need to consider them not just a choice for their higher education, but a smart choice and a smart start to a career or a four-year degree.”

This six-week digital campaign connects with students, their parents, and young adults who have not yet attended college and highlights the benefits of choosing community college. The campaign is estimated to reach over 1.5 million people through the social media campaign and result in over 8 million impressions across all media channels.

By emphasizing the economic value, educational quality, and career opportunities that community colleges provide, the project aims to position community colleges as a smart choice.

CCsmart has provided training for Missouri’s college presidents, research and media specialists, and a toolkit for social media. This branded campaign collateral is ready-made for sharing or co-branding. 

“Community colleges are a key part of Missouri’s educational landscape that offers a wealth of value and opportunities for our students,” said Brian Millner, President and CEO of Missouri Community College Association. “The CCsmart campaign drives home the message that choosing a community college isn’t just a viable option, but it’s the smart choice for anyone looking to achieve their academic and career goals. We’re proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa in this effort to elevate the awareness and benefits of our community colleges across the state.”

About CCsmart and Phi Theta Kappa

CCsmart is a subsidiary and sub-brand of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society with more than 4.3 million members in nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 nations. CCsmart is an information resource designed to guide students and parents in making informed decisions regarding the college path and highlighting the resources and opportunities available through local community colleges. The mission of PTK and CCsmart is to recognize academic achievement of college students and provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders. Learn more at ptk.org and ccsmart.org for Missouri.