Lewis and Clark Graphic Designer Earns National Marketing Award

GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College Graphic Designer Tanja Jackson has received a 2025 Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) at the council's 2026 national conference in March in Washington, D.C.

The Silver Paragon Award for Computer-Generated Illustration celebrates Jackson's original art & design for the River Bend Arena Skybox window, bringing the Trailblazer spirit alive in the recently renovated student space on the Godfrey Campus.

Jackson joined the college's Marketing & PR team in 2024 and serves as the department's lead graphic designer. With nearly two decades of experience, her work spans brand identity, environmental design, and both print and digital experiences-translating institutional goals into clear, engaging visual systems.

"The skybox installation presented both creative and logistical challenges," Jackson said. "While the initial goal was to cover the glass doors, campus safety requirements required partial visibility into the space."

Jackson used this constraint to shape the design, incorporating layered transparency that preserves sightlines while maintaining visual impact.

Drawing from the college's Trailblazer identity and "Driven to Discover" message, the piece features LC student athletes from multiple sports working together in a continuous progression. A single ball evolves in scale and energy as it moves across the composition, culminating in a basketball dunk-symbolizing momentum, growth, and shared purpose.

A multicolored "blaze" weaves through each figure, increasing in intensity as it travels across the glass, visually connecting each sport and reinforcing forward movement.

The final installation transforms the space into a dynamic, story-driven environment that energizes student athletes and enhances the campus experience for visitors and prospective students.

"This project was an opportunity to turn a transitional space into something meaningful-something that reflects movement, momentum, and the collective spirit of the campus," Jackson said.

Jackson also expressed appreciation for the collaboration and support of Athletic Director Cody Zippmann, along with her colleagues in Marketing & PR, in bringing the project to completion.

NCMPR's Paragon Awards recognize outstanding achievement in design, strategy and communication at community and technical colleges. It's the only national competition of its kind that honors excellence exclusively among marcom and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges.

This year's awards drew 1,585 entries from 216 colleges across the country and was judged by 67 professionals from the marcom and public relations industry.

"Behind every enrollment milestone, retention gain, and student success story is a team of marketing and communications professionals working strategically and creatively to connect students with opportunity," said Patrick Stone, NCMPR's 2025-26 president and the director of strategic communications and marketing for Cape Cod Community College in Massachusetts. "This year's winners stood out in an extraordinary field of entries, demonstrating that when community colleges invest in creativity and innovation, they amplify their mission and transform lives."

NCMPR supports the professional development of community college communicators, serving more than 1,500 members from more than 400 colleges across the United States and Canada. It's the only organization of its kind that exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges and is one of the largest affiliates of the American Association of Community Colleges. NCMPR is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.