Earned media highlights
In fall 2025, Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø launched a media strategy aligned with Bold & Boundless to highlight institutional leadership, faculty expertise and student-centered impact across local, state and national outlets.
- 50 earned media stories published across broadcast, print and digital platforms
- Broadcast reach: 48% television, 16% radio
- Print and digital: 26% newspapers and online features
- Voices elevated: 28 leaders, faculty and staff representing the breadth of Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s expertise and community
Coverage consistently reinforced four priority narratives:
- Engaged learning activating classroom learning in real-time contexts
- Regional leadership and community impact
- Student success and access
- Developing health care leaders
The signal that matters most is consistency. Across outlets and issues, Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø shows up as a values-driven, future-facing institution grounded in place and purpose.
What this signals
This coverage strengthens Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s position in three key ways:
- Leadership based in intention and purpose. Presidential and cabinet voices positioned as stewards of institutional responsibility during change.
- Faculty as public scholars. Faculty expertise spotlighted to the public, exceptionally in health care, science, ethics, environment and the arts.
- A college embedded in its region. Regular stories tied student learning to communities, problems and measurable impact in real time.
Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø is leading the higher ed conversation locally, with increasing reach beyond the region.
Featured stories
Leadership visibility
- Presidential leadership
- Andrea Talentino, Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø President
- Institutional strategy and innovation
- W. Kent Barnds, Executive Vice President for Strategy and Innovation
- Leadership visibility: Culture, belonging and community leadership
- Dr. Dianna Shandy, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
- Dr. Gauri Pitale, Vice President for Culture and Connection
Faculty expertise
- Health care, science and community wellness
- Dr. Kimberly Murphy, Professor and Co-chair of Biology, Director of the Center for Advancement of Community Health and Wellness
- Dr. Ann Perreau, Professor and Co-chair of Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Dr. Dara Wegman-Geedey, Professor and Acting Co-chair (spring) of Biology
- Environment, place and regional problem-solving
- Dr. Kevin Geedey, Professor of Biology, Bohdan Dziadyk Distinguished Chair in Environmental Science and Conservation
- Dr. Sarah Lashley, Associate Professor and Co-chair of Environment, Geography, and Geoscience
- Dr. Michael Reisner, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Director of the Upper Mississippi Studies Center
- Arts, culture and humanities
- Jeff Coussens, Professor and Co-chair of Theatre
- Dr. Jon Hurty, Henry Veld Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities, Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Choir, Conducting
- Dr. Jason Mahn, Professor of Religion, Director of the Presidential Center for Faith and Learning, Conrad Bergendoff Professor in the Humanities
- Dr. Doug Parvin, Professor of Philosophy
Staff leadership and student-centered impact
- Ashley Allen, Executive Director of Intercultural Experiences
- Liz Nino, Executive Director of International Enrollment
- Kai Swanson, Special Assistant to the President
- Payton Tucker, Director of Esports
Students tell their story
- Chole Brees ¡¯27
- Kathryn Edwards ¡¯29
- Ian Empen ¡¯26
- Hamdiyya Hamidu ¡¯26
- Lexi Seten ¡¯26
- Maitreyi Shrikhande ¡¯26
- Gianna Zampogna ¡¯26 and Jordyn Van Santen ¡¯26
Leadership visibility
Presidential leadership
Coverage featuring President Andrea Talentino positioned Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s presidency as a voice of rigorous thinking and purpose during a period of change. These stories consistently framed Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s leadership around access, health care education and mission-aligned growth, reinforcing the institution¡¯s commitment to student success and ongoing impact.
Andrea Talentino, Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø President
Related stories: Andrea Talentino
- Presidential perspective on higher education leadership and responsibility | Quad-City Times
- Leading a mission-driven college through change | Illinois Public Media (The 21st Show)
- Institutional legacy and future direction at Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s 150th | KWQC
- National recognition for student outcomes and access | Quad Cities Business Journal
- Strategic acquisition to expand healthcare education | Our Quad Cities
- Evolving institutional approach to culture and belonging | WVIK
- Forbes recognition for financial aid and affordability | River Cities' Reader
Institutional strategy and innovation
Media coverage of Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s strategic leadership highlighted an institution¡¯s intentional decision-making at a time of demographic, financial and structural shifts in higher education. These placements reinforced Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s approach to innovation as disciplined, values-driven and focused on strengthening outcomes.
W. Kent Barnds, Executive Vice President for Strategy and Innovation
Related stories: W. Kent Barnds
- Positioning Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø in a shifting higher ed landscape | Quad-City Times
- National recognition for innovation among liberal arts colleges | River Cities' Reader
- National recognition for innovation among liberal arts colleges | WQAD
- Reimagining mergers and institutional scale in higher education | University Business
Culture, belonging and community leadership
Coverage in this area framed belonging as an institutional capacity that supports learning and community ties.
Dr. Dianna Shandy, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Related stories: Dr. Dianna Shandy
- Human-centered leadership in business and education | Quad Cities Business Journal
- Women in leadership in higher education | Quad-City Times
- Education leaders addressing gender gaps in the region | Our Quad Cities
- Expanding access and support through the STEM/Q Center | Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Observer
Dr. Gauri Pitale, Vice President for Culture and Connection
Related stories: Dr. Gauri Pitale
- Celebrating campus traditions and inclusive community | Our Quad Cities
- Launching Office of Culture and Connection | KWQC
- Institutional evolution of diversity and belonging work | KWQC video
- Civic engagement and welcoming new citizens | Our Quad Cities
Faculty expertise
Faculty coverage consistently translated academic expertise into useful public understanding, reinforcing how learning at Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø is activated in community settings.
Health care, science and community wellness
Strategic priority: Developing health care leaders
Faculty coverage in health care and science demonstrated Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s model of applied scholarship grounded in community partnership preparing students for impact and career readiness. These stories connected classroom knowledge to current patient outcomes, regional health challenges and emerging workforce needs, reflecting Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s leadership in undergraduate health care preparation.
Dr. Kimberly Murphy, Professor and Co-chair of Biology, Director of the Center for Advancement of Community Health and Wellness
Related stories: Dr. Kimberly Murphy
- Addressing maternal health disparities through regional partnerships | KWQC
- Expanding prenatal care access in the Quad Cities | WQAD
- Grant funding to support expecting mothers | Our Quad Cities
- Community-engaged health care education in action | WQAD
- Improving wellness through community health partnerships | Our Quad Cities
- Business community investment in maternal health | Quad Cities Business Journal
- Collaborating with doulas to improve birth outcomes | WVIK
Dr. Ann Perreau, Professor and Co-chair of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Understanding hyperacusis through academic research | Academic Minute
Dr. Dara Wegman-Geedey, Professor and Acting Co-chair (spring) of Biology
Public health education on vaccines and seasonal illness | WVIK
Environment, place and regional problem-solving
Strategic priority: Regional impact and place-based learning
Coverage of environmental and regional problem-solving positioned Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø as a college active in improving the Quad Cities. Faculty and students were collaborators with municipalities, nonprofits and community partners, advancing solutions while preparing students to lead in complex settings.
Dr. Kevin Geedey, Professor of Biology, Bohdan Dziadyk Distinguished Chair in Environmental Science and Conservation
Dr. Sarah Lashley, Associate Professor and Co-chair of Environment, Geography, and Geoscience
Using Duck Creek as a living laboratory | KWQC
Dr. Michael Reisner, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Director of the Upper Mississippi Studies Center
Seeking community partners for applied student research | KWQC
Connecting students to municipal and nonprofit challenges | WVIK
Student-led regional problem-solving through UMC | WQAD
Building regional partnerships for applied learning | Quad Cities Business Journal
Arts, culture and humanities
Jeff Coussens, Professor and Co-chair of Theatre
Inclusive arts and disability representation on public television | WVIK
Dr. Jon Hurty, Henry Veld Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities, Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Choir, Conducting
Annual Christmas music celebration as a regional tradition | RC Reader
Dr. Jason Mahn, Professor of Religion, Director of the Presidential Center for Faith and Learning, Conrad Bergendoff Professor in the Humanities
Exploring AI¡¯s impact on students and learning | Our Quad Cities
Dr. Doug Parvin, Professor of Philosophy
Advancing public dialogue through the Futurist Thinking Series | Our Quad Cities
Staff leadership and student-centered impact
Staff voices reinforced Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s operational strength and its commitment to student access, experience and success.
Ashley Allen, Executive Director of Intercultural Experiences
MLK Day panel advancing dialogue and civic reflection | WQAD
Liz Nino, Executive Director of International Enrollment
Navigating international student enrollment challenges | KWQC
Kai Swanson, Special Assistant to the President
Commemorating 150 years of Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø in Rock Island | KWQC
Payton Tucker, Director of Esports
Students tell their story
Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø students used opportunities with the media to tell their stories about how Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø supports its students.
The students¡¯ stories demonstrate the distinct preparation offered through the well-rounded education offered at Å·ÖÞ±ÍøÍ¶_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø as they impact the region, activate classroom learning in communities and enter into careers as compassionate leaders.
