A collage of digital and print works produced by the Office of Strategic Communication.

Portfolio and Awards

The Office of Strategic Communication oversees a wide-ranging portfolio of award-winning work. We create content for UW–Madison’s news page and social media, manage central websites and branding, launch marketing campaigns, work with national media, and much more.

Feature Story Packages

We regularly produce feature storytelling projects on major research discoveries, campus initiatives, and historical events. These multimedia pieces have earned industry awards and brought UW–Madison achievements in front of national audiences.

Burned tree trunks rise into the blue sky as a sunset illuminates the flowers and green grasses growing below

Tomorrow’s Yellowstone

Climate change is threatening the landscapes of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. UW–Madison researchers reveal how a warming world is changing the places we love.

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A view of the front facade of Bascom Hall taken from a drone. On a sunny day, a few people walk across the brick and concrete path in front of the building. The four panels of the Seed by Seed banner hangs between tall, white columns above the building's main entrance. The banner has been printed with a texture resembling beadwork and contains symbols and colors representing traditions of the Ho-Chunk Nation. Four green rings represent the four lakes of Teejop, the name the Ho-Chunk give the land now occupied by UW–Madison. Inside each ring, square patches in light blue, dark blue yellow and red represent the reflections of light on the water at different times of day. Two large pink triangles on either side of the banner represent flowers, with green stems and triangular leaves leading to the center panel. On the center panel, a large diamond made of small blue triangles frames a blue thunderbird, which is flanked by two red, abstract W's, representing UW–Madison. Below the thunderbird are two green water spirits, which resemble four-legged animals with very long tails. Below the water spirits are six light blue triangles representing water. Above and below the large diamond frame are bursts of yellow beading, representing the sun. Along the bottom border of the banners are stylized animal symbols of the twelve clans of the Ho-Chunk Nation, and beneath each animal is a traditional Ho-Chunk flower motif in blue and green.

Seed by Seed

As part of the UW’s 175th anniversary celebration, Bascom Hall’s new banners honor the connections and traditions of the Ho-Chunk Nation.

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UW–Madison underground steam tunnel.

UW Mysteries, Secrets, and Hidden Places

We venture down into tunnels, up into attics, and even out into the woods in search of legendary UW–Madison spots.

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The remnants of Sterling Hall after the bombing.

The Blast That Changed Everything

Fifty years after the life-altering event, UW–Madison alumni reflect on the bombing of Sterling Hall.

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Constellations in night sky behind SALT telescope.

Origins

The quest to understand our beginnings — of our universe, of life on Earth, of our species — inspires people all over the world. UW researchers have forged partnerships in South Africa to uncover the answers.

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Leaders of the Black Student Strike of 1969 gather to speak at a rally.

13 Demands: The Black Student Strike of 1969

In February 1969, Black students at UW–Madison, propelled by longstanding grievances and fresh flash points, called for a campuswide student strike until administrators agreed to 13 demands.

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Student demonstrators amass outside the Commerce Building on the UW–Madison campus during a protest of campus recruiting efforts by the Dow Chemical Company on Oct. 18, 1967.

October 1967: A Turning Point

Fifty years after campus protests against Dow Chemical Company, UW–Madison asked six alumni to reflect on how the protests altered their lives.

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2025 Awards

Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin stands in the center of a group photo at the Organic Valley headquarters in La Farge, Wisconsin

Strategic Communication for Chancellor’s Statewide Outreach Events

Best of CASE District V Award | Targeted Constituency Engagement

Supporting a statewide outreach tour by UW–Madison Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin in fall 2024, this coordinated communications effort helped connect the university with business leaders, elected officials, community partners, and 115,000+ readers and listeners in regions critical to its statewide mission.

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Screen shot of the hero area of a web story with the title "Still/Moving" over an image of hands holding up glow sticks in the shape of a "W"

Still/Moving

Best of CASE District V Award | Communications: Storytelling

Still/Moving is an annual visual storytelling project capturing the essence of a year at UW–Madison. Using carefully curated photos and a narrative arc, we sought to create an emotionally resonant, on-brand visual narrative to depict a world in motion, foster pride, and showcase our campus community.

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Red graphic displaying different UW-branded designs with the text "Brand 101, Stranger in a Strange Brand"

Brand 101: Stranger in a Strange Brand

Best of CASE District V Award | Leadership: Talent Management Initiatives

Across campus, many communicators, often working as a one-person team, find themselves juggling design, PR, and branding tasks — even without a marketing background. So our office launched Brand 101, a hands-on workshop designed to demystify the UW brand, boost confidence, and spotlight resources.

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Cover of On Wisconsin magazine featuring a black and white photo of Frank Lloyd Wright against a dark teal background

On Wisconsin magazine

Milwaukee Press Club | Best Overall Design, Magazines | Gold

On Wisconsin’s design team collaborates to surprise and delight readers. With expert photography, creative illustration concepts, and lively layouts, the quarterly magazine salutes UW–Madison’s rich past while documenting life on campus today for a worldwide network of more than 500,000 alumni.

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On Wisconsin magazine cover featuring a woman in a red coat sitting in front of a wall covered in abstract mosaic art.

On Wisconsin magazine: “Art for All”

Milwaukee Press Club | Best Single Story or Feature Design | Bronze

With a story design that made photographed artworks spring to life on the page, “Art for All” combined text, breakout quotes, and photos taken throughout campus to illustrate how UW–Madison serves as a sanctuary for public art.

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