USA Today Feature Shows Importance of Local Connections

The University of Cincinnati Foundation was recently featured in USA Today for its ground breaking housing program that serves first generation college students. The article, which reached an estimated 1.9 million people, showcased the University’s commitment to low income and first generation students. The program is partially funded by donations through the University of Cincinnati Foundation (UCF).

Securing the story involved reaching out to an education columnist at USA Today who had covered similar stories in the past. Upon learning that USA Today’s partner newspaper, The Cincinnati Enquirer, had covered the story previously, the USA Today reporter worked with UCF and Cincinnati-area reporters to place it in USA Today for a larger national audience.

In this case, a thorough understanding of the relationship between publications in a newspaper syndicate like Gannett aided in taking a great story that showcased a client’s innovation and commitment to its students to a larger audience of potential donors, future faculty applicants, and students searching for a college.