KnowHow2GO's state coalitions have pulled off impressive launches for their local campaigns. These launches have successfully drawn state officials, students and the media. We encourage our newer states to read about the great events their predecessors have planned. Think hard about how you can borrow their ideas – or take them one step further – for your launch.
Gov. Mitch Daniels Launches KnowHow2GOIndiana
Indiana launched its KnowHow2GO campaign on January 22 with the help of Gov. Daniels, Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed and members of Indiana's Education Roundtable. The launch earned extensive media coverage, including an Associated Press article that was picked up by several local papers, as well as Forbes and BusinessWeek.com. All local television networks covered the event, and two articles ran in the Indianapolis Star. Below are some sample headlines:
- “College Prep Campaign Targets Youths; New initiative aims to encourage students to prepare for higher education,” Indianapolis Star, Staci Hupp, January 23, 2007
- “Campaign Urges First-Generation Students to Attend College,” Associated Press, Deanna Martin, January 22, 2007
- “Teens Told to ‘Be a Pain' About College,” Indianapolis Star, January 22, 2007
Gov. Ted Strickland Launches KnowHow2GOOhio
On March 28, Gov. Strickland launched KnowHow2GOOhio in Columbus and sparked a statewide debate about college graduation rates. The launch, coordinated by the Ohio College Access Network, resulted in two Associated Press stories that were picked up by all major Ohio newspapers, and a flattering editorial in the state's largest newspaper, the Cleveland Plain Dealer. KnowHow2GOOhio also earned coverage on seven TV stations in four markets – Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Toledo.
"'Ohio is a great state and there is no justification for us to be where we are educationally,' Strickland said. ‘My obligation as Governor is to solve this problem.' Yesterday, Strickland stuck to his obligation with the kickoff his KnowHow2GO campaign on campus.”
– Bowling Green News
KnowHow2GO Launches in the Cornhusker State
“It's not always enough to want to go to college. We need kids to know how to get there,” Gov. Dave Heineman told state and community leaders gathered for the launch of KnowHow2GONebraska. The campaign, he said, is essential to getting more middle and high school students on the path to college.
The June 13 launch was coordinated by Education Quest and attended by University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken and members of the state's P-16 Initiative, which aims to increase the success of students at all education levels. Several local newspapers and TV stations covered the launch, including the Omaha World-Herald and ABC and NBC affiliates in Omaha and Lincoln.
KnowHow2GO Launches in Cincinnati
On June 16 in downtown Cincinnati, Strive and the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati teamed up to host an outdoor college fair at Fountain Square.
The event was emceed by local hip-hop station WIZF-FM and attended by two elected officials, 14 universities and technical schools, local step troops and mascots from Northern Kentucky University and the University of Cincinnati. In between their information-gathering, students competed in airplane-throwing contests, raffles and a scholarship giveaway.
KnowHow2GOIllinois Launches at Two Summer Events
Our partners in Illinois launched their local campaign at two, highly attended events – the 78th Annual Bud Billiken Parade & Picnic and the State Fair. The parade, which is held on the second Saturday of August, celebrates African American togetherness and youth. It is typically attended by one million residents of the greater Chicago area – and viewed by millions more on national television. Attendees of both events waved specially designed KnowHow2GO hand fans.