Trenholm State Community College – Brand, Marketing, and Communications Guidelines
At Trenholm State Community College, our brand is more than just a logo—it is the collective impression we leave with every student, parent, partner, and community member. Consistent and intentional use of our brand reinforces who we are and what we stand for: excellence in education, service to our community, and opportunities that transform lives.
Brand Identity Overview
Trenholm State’s brand reflects our commitment to academic achievement, student success, workforce development, and community impact. All marketing and communications materials should align with this identity and present the College in a positive, professional, and unified manner.
Core Brand Elements
Official Name: Trenholm State Community College
Abbreviation: Trenholm State (acceptable on second reference)
Tagline (if applicable): “Today’s College for Tomorrow’s World.”
Logo Usage
Always use the approved Trenholm State logo provided by the Office of Public Relations and Marketing.
Do not alter, stretch, recolor, or place the logo on busy backgrounds.
Clear space must be maintained around the logo to preserve its visual impact.
Unauthorized versions, alternate fonts, or homemade designs are strictly prohibited.
Color Palette
Maintain the College’s official colors across all media:
Primary Colors: [Insert HEX/RGB values for official colors—e.g., Garnet, Gold, Black]
Secondary/Accent Colors: [If applicable, list here]
Typography
Use approved fonts consistently in printed and digital materials:
Primary Font: [Insert name, e.g., Lato or Montserrat]
Secondary Font: [Insert name]
Photography and Imagery
Use high-quality, relevant images that reflect the diversity and energy of Trenholm State.
Avoid stock imagery that feels impersonal or inauthentic.
Ensure students, faculty, and staff featured in photography have granted photo release permissions.
Voice and Tone
Professional, supportive, and empowering
Avoid slang or overly casual language in official publications.
Always communicate with clarity, warmth, and purpose.
Social Media and Digital Content
All official College social media accounts must be approved by the Office of Public Relations and Marketing.
Social content should reflect the College’s values, highlight achievements, promote events, and engage the community.
Personal or program-level pages representing the College should follow brand standards and link to the main College channels.
Marketing Requests
All faculty, staff, and departments must submit marketing and promotional requests through the Help Desk Portal. This ensures proper scheduling, brand consistency, and alignment with the College’s communications strategy.
Partnerships and External Use
Any third-party or community organization wishing to use the College’s name or logo must obtain written approval from the Office of Public Relations and Marketing. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
For templates, logos, and brand assets, or to request support with a marketing project, contact:
Media and External Request Policy
Trenholm State Community College In compliance with the Alabama Community College System (ACCS)
Purpose
To ensure consistent, accurate, and professional communication, all media inquiries and external requests involving Trenholm State Community College must follow established procedures in accordance with policies set forth by the Alabama Community College System (ACCS). This policy supports the College’s mission and protects the integrity of its message and brand.
Media Inquiries
All requests for comment, interviews, statements, or appearances from members of the media (print, broadcast, or digital) must be directed to:
Office of Public Relations and Marketing
Email: trenholmcommunications@trenholmstate.edu
Website: https://www.trenholmstate.edu/MarketingandPR
Phone: 334-523-7473
Only the President or an official designee may serve as the spokesperson on behalf of Trenholm State Community College unless prior approval is given by the Office of Public Relations and Marketing.
Faculty and staff are not authorized to speak to the media on behalf of the College regarding institutional matters without prior approval.
External Requests
Requests from individuals or organizations outside the College—such as government entities, nonprofit organizations, businesses, or community partners—that involve:
Use of the College’s name or logo
Filming or photography on campus
Event collaborations
Participation in public panels or media projects
Requests for institutional data or official statements must be submitted in writing to the Office of Public Relations and Marketing for review and approval.
Requests that include public-facing materials must also comply with Trenholm State’s Brand and Marketing Guidelines.
Crisis Communication
In the event of a crisis, emergency, or developing situation involving the College: All media responses and updates will be coordinated exclusively through the Office of Public Relations and Marketing.
Employees and students are advised not to provide public statements or share unverified information.
Official communications will be issued through the College’s approved channels, including emergency alert systems, the website, and social media.
Publication and Distribution
Students are free to publish and to distribute their ideas in the form of newspapers, newsletters, leaflets, flyers, handbills, and the like, subject to time, place, and manner restrictions. Publications are disseminated in the designated free expression area(s) on the campus or identified areas by the Dean of Student Affairs. All must have prior approval by the Dean of Student Affairs before dissemination or disciplinary actions will be taken under the Student Code of Conduct.
COLLEGE COPYRIGHT POLICY
Ownership of Student Intellectual Property
This policy details ownership of student works, produced as a portion of their scholarly activities while a student at Trenholm State Community College, including all work submitted as portion of a class, to fulfill a course requirement or as fulfillment of any requirement within a degree program at the college. All work created independently by a student will be considered the sole property of the student, and the student will maintain copyright over the material and control over the material, except as detailed below.
All work created by a group of two or more students will be considered the sole property of the students, and the students will maintain copyright over the material and control over the material except as detailed below. Trenholm State acknowledges student copyrights over any material eligible for copyright under applicable law but retains the right to property ownership over electronic or physical copies of work submitted to the college, its faculty or staff.
Additionally, the college retains the right to maintain copies of all student work as a portion of its collections, to circulate the work to further the mission of the college and to submit electronic or paper copies in compliance with applicable law or policy, including protecting the college from allegations of copyright infringement and to guard against acts of plagiarism.
The intellectual property rights of student work submitted for publication in creative journals of the college will be governed by the policy and procedure associated with those journals.
The campus policies include the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Harassment, Complaint Resolution, Procedures for Reporting Complaints, and Family Educational Rights Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).
Student Media
Student publications will maintain their integrity of purpose as vehicles of free inquiry and free expression in a college community. The editorial freedom of students, editors, and managers involves the corresponding obligation to be governed by the cannons of responsible journalism. These entail the responsibility to avoid libel, undocumented allegations, techniques of harassment and innuendo, and so forth. At the same time, the following provisions safeguard editorial freedom. Student publications are free of censorship and advance approval of copy.
Compliance with ACCS Policies
Trenholm State Community College adheres to all communications, public relations, and media guidelines outlined by the Alabama Community College System (ACCS). This includes:
Ensuring alignment with ACCS strategic messaging
Protecting the confidentiality and rights of students and employees
Maintaining consistent public representation of the College and the System
Additional Notes
Unauthorized use of the College's name, logo, or brand assets is prohibited.
All campus departments and employees are encouraged to coordinate public-facing projects with the Office of Public Relations and Marketing to ensure appropriate support and compliance.
For questions or to submit a media or external request, please contact: