Option 1

At Ramapo, we offer a traditional approach to the liberal arts that encourages discussion and reflection, giving our students the skills to think deeply, communicate effectively, and see things differently.

× This example fails to get across the boldness in our personality.
We could fix this by explaining our approach to the liberal arts as ‘modern’ or ‘innovative’ (rather than ‘traditional’), and using more expansive words to describe our curriculum – like exploration, open-mindedness, and open discussion (rather than reflection or deep thinking, which are inward-focused).

Option 2

At Ramapo, we offer a rigorous liberal arts education that encourages open discussion, collaboration, and scholarly inquiry; giving our students the confidence to see and do things differently.

× Much better but it’s not the best.
Pros: We mention ‘open discussion’ and ‘collaboration’, which are both great terms to use — and ‘see and do things differently’ is very on-brand.
Cons: We describe our approach to the liberal arts as ‘rigorous’, which may be partly true, but it still fails to get across our modern and different approach. And, we use the term ‘scholarly inquiry’, which is much too stuffy and traditional for our brand.

Option 3

At Ramapo, we offer a modern approach to the liberal arts that encourages open discussion and exploration, giving our students the confidence to explore their interests, speak their minds, and see things in bold new ways.

✓ Best Example
We hit on our ‘modern approach’ to the liberal arts, we use expansive terms like ‘open discussion’, ‘exploration’ and ‘explore their interests’, and we also get at the boldness of our Ramapo community – our students are unafraid to ‘speak their minds’ and ‘see things in bold new ways.’

Option 1

RCNJ graduate Brandee Chapman spent a month hiking and camping through six different states as part of Ramapo’s Pacific Northwest program; fueling her interest in environmental conservation. Now, she is State Trails Coordinator for the Department of Environmental Conservation. #wearercnj

× This example is great — but it’s not distinctive.
It gets across the major details (what Brandee did at Ramapo and how it shaped her current career) — but there is no on-brand language in here.

Option 2

RCNJ graduate Brandee Chapman was bold enough to spend a month hiking and camping through six different states as part of Ramapo’s Pacific Northwest program; a new experience that sparked her passion for environmental conservation. Now, she runs a one-woman show as State Trails Coordinator for the Department of Environmental Conservation in New Jersey. #RCNJ

✓ Best Example
We’ve made subtle tweaks to the language to get our boldness across – ‘Brandee Chapman was bold enough to…’, ‘a new experience that sparked her passion’, and ‘she runs a one woman show’. We’ve also included a hashtag which, albeit simple, is ownable for Ramapo and aligned with the new brand.

Option 3

RCNJ graduate Brandee Chapman spent a month hiking, camping, and learning about local reservations, fisheries and historical sites as part of Ramapo’s Pacific Northwest program; sparking a connection with and love for the environment. Now, she is doing what she loves as State Trails Coordinator for the Department of Environmental Conservation. #RamapoCollege

× This example is a little more detailed than the first one, but it’s too touchy-feely for Ramapo’s bold brand.
We use terms like ‘a connection with and love for the environment’ and ‘doing what she loves’ (neither are bad things to say; but there’s no bold language in here to convey Ramapo’s brave/explorative outlook.) We do use on-brand language in the hashtag ‘live and learn boldly’ – but, a hashtag is of little use if it isn’t recognizable as Ramapo College. We should try to include the word ‘Ramapo’ or ‘RCNJ’ in there to make it ownable.

Bold (research initiative here).

Examples:

Bold Fights Childhood Cancer.

Bold Explores Greener Transport Alternatives.

Bold Increases Access to Education.

See _________ in bold new ways.

Examples:

See your potential in bold new ways.

See your career in bold new ways.

See yourself in bold new ways.

What other words could be used here?

Be bolder than the status quo.

Example:

Be bolder than 9-to-5.(for an article discussing an entrepreneurial student)

How else could we use this?

What are some examples of ‘status quo’ things, and how does Ramapo do things differently?