News
AWC Marketing and Communications honored with multiple NCMPR accolades
November 5, 2026Scottsdale, Ariz. (November 4, 2026) – Arizona Western College Marketing and Communications won multiple awards at the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) District 6 conference in Scottsdale, Arizona for their innovative efforts to promote higher education in Yuma and La Paz counties.
The team received 15 Medallion Awards for creative designs and concepts in photography, graphic design, writing, marketing initiatives, and social media/content.
“These awards recognize the creativity, care and strategic thinking our team brings to telling AWC’s story,” said Mandy Heil, Dean of Marketing and Communications. “I’m proud to work alongside people who are so invested in our students and our college. Whether we’re helping someone see college as a possibility or strengthening their sense of belonging once they’re here, that purpose drives our work. Having our peers recognize it makes these awards especially meaningful.”
In addition to team awards, Creative Director Luis Landeros was named the District 6 Creator of the Year. Landeros leads the AWC graphic design team and brings the college brand to life through his unique designs, which range from logos to large scale murals. Next March, he will attend the NCMPR National Conference in Chicago, Illinois, where the national Creator of the Year winner will be announced.
“I want to thank Mandy and Lori for always trusting me to share my vision with the AWC college brand,” Landeros said. “For me, creativity is the freedom of mixing everything you love, put your own stamp on it, and share it with the world. At the [NCMPR] leadership institute I learned that my passion has a positive impact on the people around me, so now I share it more often with the people I work with and our students.”
Gold Awards
Instagram: @ArizonaWestern
- Credit: Sarah Hernandez Herman and the content development team
Eurydice Poster
- Credit: Andrea Saldaña, Graphic Designer
"Between You and I” Eurydice photo
- Credit: Monica Galvez, Campus Photographer
Peter Pan Illustration
- Credit: Andrea Saldaña
AWC Foundation T-Shirt Logo
- Credit: Luis Landeros
Silver Awards
Annual Report: A Decade of Transformation (Report)
- Credit: Luis Landeros; Sarah Hernandez Herman; Mandy Heil; Lorraine Stofft, Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the AWC Foundation; Dr. Daniel Corr, former AWC President; Travis Mitchell, Director of Marketing for Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College; and Cori Kochis, News Writer
Bronze Awards
AWC Dual Enrollment Brochure
- Credit: Luis Landeros
Outreach Notebook
- Credit: Luis Landeros
AWC Website
- Credit: Brandon Smith, Web Developer and Damien Bates, Webmaster
"educated, btw" Instagram post
- Credit: Sarah Hernandez Herman and Monica Galvez
Green Zone Ally
- Credit: Luis Landeros
MAC Wall Wrap
- Credit: Luis Landeros
Annual Report: A Decade of Transformation (Campaign)
- Credit: Sarah Hernandez Herman and Lorraine Stofft
Annual Report: A Decade of Transformation (Excellence in Long Form Writing)
- Credit: Sarah Hernandez Herman, Mandy Heil, Lorraine Stofft, Travis Mitchell, and Cori Kochis
Military & Veteran Services Marketing Program
- Credit: Luis Landeros
Awards and honors were announced on October 27th at the NCMPR District 6 Conference “Bloom Where You’re Branded” in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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About NCMPR
The National Council for Marketing & Public Relations provides professional growth for those working in marketing and communication at community and technical colleges. The annual conference recognizes outstanding achievement in communications by marketing and public relations professionals at two-year colleges in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Territory of Guam.
Contact:
Mandy Heil
Dean of Marketing and Communications
Arizona Western College
mandy.heil@azwestern.edu
(928) 314-9594