Kick-off Planned at today’s “State of Education” Event
[SPOKANE, Wash.] --The Community Colleges of Spokane is now Spokane Colleges. The launch of the organization’s rebrand was celebrated with 300 business and community leaders during today’s Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI) State of Education event. The rebrand highlights the two colleges – Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College – as the best choice for students seeking flexible, practical, and life-friendly education.
The rebrand was driven by the Board of Trustees, which led an 18-month, research-based effort to clearly identify the organization’s unique position in the region’s higher education market and develop a new brand strategy. More than 1,300 employees and customers participated in surveys and focus groups across the six counties served by the colleges.
“We knew we needed a fresh, modern look, and a more cohesive and clear identity,” said Dr. Kevin Brockbank, Spokane Colleges Chancellor. “Our brand unites both colleges and the district under one visual and cultural identity, while maintaining and enhancing the identity of both Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College. The rebrand isn’t just a new logo and mascot makeover. Our brand strengthens our purpose and helps to ensure that everyone in our community knows exactly who we are and what we stand for. Having a united voice makes us more recognizable and reinforces our commitment to provide high-quality education to students and this community.”
Grounded in the research, the new logomark embraces the region’s iconic landscapes. Spokane Community College is represented by the Ponderosa Pine, the official tree of Spokane symbolizing growth and resilience. Spokane Falls Community College is represented by the Spokane Falls, one of the city’s most beloved landmarks symbolizing progress and adaptability. When combined into the full logomark, the abstract shapes of the tree and falls create a navigation arrow, symbolizing confidence and guidance in a student’s journey, while individually the abstract shapes become the logomark for each of the two colleges. When Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College come together to represent their shared mission, vision and values as Spokane Colleges, the logomark also honors their individuality.
In addition, the Spokane Colleges athletic mascot now has fierce new features, as the organization transitions to “Sasquatch” from “Bigfoot”. This decision was also based on the research, which found the use of the foot as a logo to be unappealing.
“At Spokane Colleges, education is designed with life in mind,” Dr. Brockbank said. “We meet learners where they are, offering student-centered programs designed to fit real lives. Rooted in accessibility, inclusivity, and preparedness, we give students a more direct path to their future. The beauty of our rebrand is that we aren’t trying to change ourselves into something we want to be. Our brand celebrates who we have always been and our essential role cultivating an empowered and highly skilled workforce where every person reaches their fullest potential and reinvests in the community.”
Spokane Colleges will continue to roll out the new brand throughout an 18-month awareness campaign. Learn more on our website.
About Spokane Colleges - Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College are part of Spokane Colleges, one of the largest higher education providers in Eastern Washington, serving about 20,000 students each year. Spokane Colleges provide higher education, early learning and corporate and continuing education services across a six-county region in northeastern Washington. Both colleges are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.