Alcorn State University

Always Alcorn

A renewed story rooted in legacy and driven by vision. Always.

Join a Rich Heritage of Trailblazers and Innovators

THE PROJECT

With a legacy of over 150 years, Alcorn State University recognized the need to evolve its brand to honor its rich heritage as the nation’s first public historically black land-grant institution while embracing a bold vision for the future. Through extensive research and engagement with students, faculty, alumni, and community leaders, we uncovered the essence of Alcorn’s identity and aspirations.

Drawing on these insights, we crafted a brand positioning strategy and a new creative campaign theme, "Always Alcorn," which captures the sense of belonging, innovation, and excellence that defines the Alcorn experience. Paired with a modernized logo featuring Alcorn’s iconic chapel, the campaign has deepened connections with key audiences and positioned Alcorn as a prestigious institution with a lasting legacy.

THE IMPACT

The success of this brand transformation was honored with two MARCOM Awards, Gold for our Logo Refresh and Platinum for our Brand Creative. Our branding work also won two Education Advertising Awards. Red Cactus is now partnering with Alcorn on a brand rollout strategy, including new recruitment materials, campus banners, videos, and an interactive digital viewbook, ensuring the "Always Alcorn" message continues to inspire.

What We Did

Market Research

Competitor Analysis

Brand Positioning

Brand Creative

Concepting Testing

Logo Refresh

Brand Guidelines

Brand Rollout Planning

Recruitment Brochure

Campus Banners

Want to learn more about our research and branding services?

Communicating An Enduring Legacy

Inspiring generations. Always.

Tradition and Excellence

A Thoughtful Blend of Past and Present

By refining and simplifying the chapel’s form, the new logo captures the essence of Alcorn’s legacy while projecting a forward-looking identity that resonates with today’s audiences. The clean lines and contemporary styling honor the chapel's significance as a beacon of tradition and excellence, while the refreshed design represents the university’s commitment to innovation and progress.

A proud history Reimagined

Alcorn Earns Platinum

Alcorn's branding earned two MARCOM Awards, including Platinum in the Strategic Communications category. The campaign also won two Educational Advertising Awards, a testament to the power of storytelling and brand authenticity.

Remarkable ELEMENT: Authenticity

Authenticity was the cornerstone of Alcorn's brand refresh. By embracing the university's rich heritage and modern relevance, the "Always Alcorn" campaign delivered a genuine message, connecting emotionally with students, alumni, and the broader community.

Beatrice and her team at Red Cactus were selected by our committee because of the care and thoughtfulness they would devote to the branding project with Alcorn. This aspect has been evident as Red Cactus produced a timely and relevant campaign for which our community can identify.

Maxine Greenleaf, VP of Marketing and Communication