Mark T. Brainard has been named the recipient of the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) District 1 Pacesetter of the Year award. This award recognizes a community college chief executive officer who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to marketing and communications and strong personal leadership for college outreach endeavors. Dr. Brainard was honored at the District 1 conference awards luncheon on October 6.
Brainard, a graduate of Delaware Technical Community College, became the college’s fifth president after a 25-year career in higher education, business and government. He believes in the power of partnerships and works tirelessly to collaborate, communicate and listen in ways that develop strong relationships and college support.
Brainard’s initiatives include:
• A celebration to showcase the 10-year anniversary of the Student Excellence Equals Degree (SEED) scholarship program, which provides free tuition for high school graduates
• A comprehensive statewide marketing research study that resulted in the development and implementation of an advertising campaign to help tell the college’s story of excellence in new and creative ways
• The Blueprint for the Future: Keeping Students First study to implement best practices to increase student success and college effectiveness
• In partnership with the Delaware Manufacturing Association, an innovative, two-year dual enrollment programs for high school students to prepare for careers in manufacturing
• The college’s status as a 2015 Military Friendly School, a designation awarded to the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that embrace military students and commit to their success
Gov. Jack A. Markell, in an endorsement letter for the award, stated, “In the short time that Mark has been president, he has championed key initiatives to promote institutional growth and raise the college’s profile. Delaware is lucky to have a leader like Mark at the head of our only community college. His vision for his school and its students, and his commitment to success will no doubt have a positive impact on Delaware and beyond.”
