How to be a Champion for The HigherEd Effect

Messaging tips, tools, and ways to amplify the story of higher education

Whether you’re crafting a speech, running a social campaign, or sharing a student success story, you can help shape the public understanding of higher ed’s value. Here’s how to make the most of your voice:

1. Use the Pillars

Frame your stories around the core areas that resonate:

• Community Uplift
• Fostering Discourse
• Driving Workforce

2. Keep It Clear and Concrete

Use real outcomes, relatable language, and human stories. Data helps, but impact is what sticks.

Instead of: “We support student success.”
Try: “90% of our first-gen students graduate within six years—and many return to mentor the next class.”

3. Align Your Messaging

Use consistent themes and talking points from our toolkit to reinforce a unified message across institutions. The more aligned we are, the stronger the effect.

4. Share Across Channels

Your campus already has reach—admissions, advancement, alumni, social. Use those megaphones to tell the stories that matter.

5. Submit & Amplify

Have a story to share? Send it to higheredeffect@case.org. We’ll feature select submissions in future toolkits and campaigns.