‘College-going culture’ heads to Bristol

By Deborah Allard / The Herald News
Posted Sep 7, 2018 at 3:01 AM
“Just Bristol” is the way to the future for Bristol Community College.
With a smart new logo and an updated brand identity, Bristol has reinforced its dedication to better represent its “college-going culture” in the region.
For the first time in the college’s history, the new logo will emphasize the “Bristol” in Bristol Community College, as it drops its BCC acronym.
The rebranding campaign was unveiled Tuesday on the first day of classes this new school year at Bristol.
“Community college is the new darling of higher education,” said Bristol President Laura L. Douglas.
Douglas, who began her stint as college head a year ago, said people are recognizing the fact that community colleges save families money while providing a quality education that either translates into immediate work or to additional study at four-year universities.
And, families are getting bigger once again, which means college must be more affordable.
For adult students, affordability can mean that a degree is within reach. Douglas said Bristol also offers those students convenience, flexibility and support.
“No one wants to give up on their dream of education,” Douglas said.
Douglas, after doing her research, came into the college with a goal of giving it a fresh new image that “matches where we are” in Bristol’s 21st century goals and innovation.
“When we create a college-going culture in our region, where students graduate and assume good jobs, we change lives for the better,” Douglas said in a press release. “Our new brand reaffirms this commitment to the community.”
Last year, the college received a $4.4 million grant from Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to accelerate innovative life sciences education and, most recently, leads the nation’s educational training for jobs related to offshore wind, according to the release.
Douglas said that as industries in the area have shifted from jobs that didn’t require a college degree to careers that demand higher education, workers must be prepared for today’s job market to attain greater prosperity.
“Many times, the people who live in our communities don’t think that the college education is within reach. But, we want them to know that you can attend college without racking up student debt,” Douglas said. “And, for adults who are preparing for college, we offer a high school equivalency program, English as a second language courses, and credit for work experience.”
The college and its revamped and easier to navigate web site emphasizes that “learning is within reach” for everyone, whether they plan to study full-time right out of high school or part-time while working or raising a family.
The new logo has a more “collegiate feel,” according to Vice President of College Communications Joyce Faria Brennan. It was created in “modern green” and accented in “Bristol gray.”
The rebranding campaign will include new signage at Bristol and billboards in the community.
To learn more about Bristol Community College, visit www.bristolcc.edu.
Original story here.