Higher Ed Utah

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) has entered into a contract with Salt Lake -based Love Communications to create a campaign targeted at promoting higher education in Utah by helping the state’s underrepresented populations prepare for, and succeed in, higher education.

USHE’s goal is to achieve 66% of Utah’s workforce with postsecondary degrees by 2020; right now Utah is at 39%. Speaking out to students who may not necessarily view higher education as a viable option is essential to the future success of higher education in Utah. “At Love, we are passionate about promoting the value of higher education to all Utah students. We will bring that passion to this campaign,” said Love Communications President Tom Love. “As a state, we need to take the hand of underrepresented students and their parents and help them step up and reach their full potential.”

Data in USHE’s HigherEd Utah 2020 Plan outlining the steps to achieve the ambitious higher education goal suggests there are student populations throughout the state who may have never considered higher education. Commissioner of Higher Education Bill Sederburg says, “In order for us to achieve our ‘big goal’ we need to speak out to students, parents and adults and let them know that they can overcome any roadblocks throughout their lives which would lead to not attending, or finishing college. We look forward to this campaign.”

Funding for this initiative is made possible through the College Access Challenge Grant, a federal grant from the United States Department of Education.

About Love Communications: Love Communications is a full-service advertising and marketing firm that offers a full range of client service, media planning, public relations and governmental relations, accounting, interactive, creative and production services. The agency, which reported capitalized billings of $30 million in 2008, currently employs 33 full-time staffers. The firm operates under the direction of partners Tom Love, Rich Love, Preston Wood and Alan Reighard.

About The Utah System of Higher Education: USHE includes all of Utah’s eight public colleges and universities: The University of Utah, Utah State University, Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Snow College, Dixie State College, Utah Valley University and Salt Lake Community College. For more information on the Utah System of Higher Education, visit our website at http://www.higheredutah.org.