The marketing and communications team at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) is celebrating a host of industry wins, including a Creative of the Year title for its graphic artist.
In a recent news release, the EICC team announced it won 10 Medallion Awards, including eight gold, at the 2026 National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) District 5 competition. Nathan Klaus, EICC graphic artist, was named 2026 District 5 Creative of the Year, recognizing his exceptional talent and contributions to the community college market.
“Great marketing starts with a great story. Whether it’s celebrating a student’s success, introducing a new mascot or helping someone discover what’s possible through education, every campaign, design and headline has a purpose: connecting people to opportunity,” EICC said in the release.
The recognition caps a year of creative work by the team including the introduction of the Eddy the River Otter mascot and refreshing EICC’s brand, to relaunching the college’s magazine and bringing student stories to life through new campaigns and digital content.
The awards are shared by EICC’s collaborative team of storytellers, designers and digital strategists. They include: Chief Communications Officer Erin Snyder; Johnna Kerres, associate director for marketing and communications; Nicole Harrison, web and digital strategist; two graphic artists, Nathan Klaus and Matt Thomas; Dawn Neuses, strategic content and writing specialist; Griffin Wagner, marketing coordinator; and Eli Kayser, creative media specialist.
The NCMPR’s District 5 includes community and technical colleges from Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Manitoba, Canada.
The Medallion Awards recognize outstanding achievement in marketing and communications, with entries evaluated by industry professionals and peers.
These are the EICC award-winning projects:
Gold awards
- Viewbook: 2025-26 EICC Viewbook
- Postcard: Something Real – HiSET Scholarship Reminder
- Recruitment campaign: EICC Summer Camp Campaign
- Social media campaign: Talkin’ Turkey with the Chancellor
- Campaign wild card: Mascot Launch Day | Eddy the River Otter
- Short-form writing: The River Only Goes One Direction
- Long-form writing: The Study That Refused to Stay Small
- Logo wear: “Like No Otter” T-shirt
Silver award
Bronze award
Creative of the Year
For Mr. Klaus, EICC said “creativity is about more than making something look good. It’s about making people feel connected, welcomed, and part of something bigger.”
His student-centered approach helped earn him NCMPR’s 2026 Creative of the Year honor for District 5.
One of his most visible projects is Eddy the River Otter, EICC’s first district-wide mascot. From early sketches to the finished character now making appearances across the eastern Iowa campuses, he helped turn an idea into a symbol of college pride and belonging. His work also extends to recruitment campaigns, publications, campus maps, and materials that help students navigate their college experience.
“Nathan is an incredibly talented designer, but what makes him exceptional is the way he thinks about the people experiencing his work,” said Ms. Kerres, the EICC associate director. “He’s always thinking about how a design will make students feel, whether it’s clear and accessible, and how we can make something more welcoming. Eddy is a perfect example of that. Nathan didn’t just design a mascot. He helped create something that brings people together.”
Ms. Snyder, chief communications officer, said the entire team is committed to telling meaningful stories, building connections, and making sure students see the possibilities and success ahead.
“These awards are a reflection of the incredible talent, creativity and heart this team brings to their work every day,” she said. “Everything they create has a purpose, and I’m so proud to see their work recognized among the best in the region.”
