NWSCC & Lumina - Part II

 

On the surface, it sounds great that NWSCC was one of ten recipients of branding grants given away by the Lumina Foundation in 2022. Yet what is Lumina? According to its website: Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all.

That certainly sounds commendable, but what else does its website say? Not very much; you still won't know what Lumina is by simply looking at its website. Plus, what does branding have to do with helping students beyond the high school level?

What does better branding do? It can, in some instances, cause a young person to look more deeply at a college site. Rather similar to cigarette and beer packaging, isn't it? Lure the customers in and all that.

But are students customers? Let's see if Wikipedia tells us anything more about Lumina. It seems Lumina was formed initially in 2000 from funds resulting from the sale of USA Group to what's commonly called Sallie Mae, a student loan marketing group.

At this time Lumina claims that its main thrust is to assure 60% of new high school graduates seek a college or comparable education by 2025. Is this totally altruistic?

Not only has Lumina been accused of promoting student loans, some say it also promotes leftist organizations including  Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Community Partners, the SEIU 1199 Training and Upgrading Fund, the Century Foundation, Demos, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the Center for American Progress (CAP), the Bipartisan Policy Center, the Brookings Institution, Business Roundtable, Center for Law and Social Policy, and the New Venture Fund (NVF).

We are not sure the "leftist" organizations listed are even mildly reprehensible. We are sure that first time students enrolling in community colleges are likely customers for those who "sell" student loans. More students, more money to be made from loans.

It would be interesting to know if Lumina has provided grants to other local colleges/universities and its involvement with them. Read: Influence.

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This is Phantom. He's five months old and his breed isn't specified, but we suspect Lab mix. Whatever his lineage, he's adorable. You can adopt Phantom at the Florence shelter in the industrial park:

NWSCC & Lumina - Part I

 

Several days ago, an employee of Northwest Shoals Community College contacted us about that institution's new logo and name. We found the change odd and did a short blog at the employee's request, mainly using the information sent in the e-mail. 

Due to complaints about the blog, we took another look at the situation and want to clarify the grant in question, plus bring Lumina's game plan to light. It may be simply good business, but it is nonetheless business.

1. One Nashville reader was highly critical of our even mentioning the small name change. Yet if you look at the press release, marketing director Trent Randolph devotes an entire paragraph to the change and why it took place. Since about 90% of our commenters couldn't even discern the change, we're not sure it will accomplish a more unified student body, but it is interesting to note that administration feels a lack of camaraderie between the campuses.

2. While the Lumina grant in question was for 100K, the community college probably didn't pay the entire amount to the public relations company. We find several instances of institutions mentioning payments totaling 50K to Rickabaugh Graphics; therefore, it's doubtful that NWSCC paid more.

3. How much for actually completing the change over? The press release said the changes would be completed as money became available, so it's safe to assume this is where the remaining 50K in grant money is going/has gone.

4. The actual grant? It was not taxpayer funded, but a gift from a foundation, Lumina, which gave ten such grants last year. Before you think that was a wonderfully altruistic act by Lumina, you need to discover what Lumina actually is...

Tomorrow: What is Lumina?

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This is Merrick. He's a five month-old Lab mix with a long life of love and companionship to offer. You can adopt Merrick or one of his litter mates at the Florence shelter on Roberson Road: