Brand Overview
Introduction
Strong and unified messaging in concert with the consistent use of a distinctive visual identity can set the University of North Alabama apart in today’s competitive higher education environment. Furthermore, proper use of these brand assets helps ensure that the many audiences we reach know that this is a special place that merits recognition in our state and region.
A brand is much more than a name or logo. A strong brand positioning defines our strengths, shapes our messaging, and helps to tell our unique story. It significantly enhances the collective impact of our campus communications efforts, enabling UNA to effectively compete in a crowded marketplace for new students, faculty, supporters, and funding resources.
Our Brand Positioning
Delivering Transformative Impact
The University of North Alabama widens the perspectives of its learning community, empowering students to envision new possibilities and to seize emerging opportunities. UNA achieves this by offering proven, meaningful, nurturing, and contemporary learning experiences that foster personal growth and provide a transformational awareness of one’s full potential.
Our Brand Pillars
- Disruptive Learning – A commitment to educational experiences that altar life trajectories rather than merely transfer information.
- Substantive Preparation – A dedication to creating rich, impactful educational opportunities that go beyond theoretical knowledge to include practical application, personal growth, and meaningful engagement.
- Expansive Possibility – A focus on broadening students’ vision of what they can achieve and contribute, continuously expanding their sense of potential and opportunity.
Our Brand Personality
- Impactful – Expresses a profound ability to widen perspectives, grow capabilities, and advance opportunities through meaningful educational experiences that go beyond simple knowledge transfer.
- Empowering – Communicates confidence and capability, helping them recognize and develop their potential to achieve more than they initially believed possible.
- Purposeful – Approaches education with clear intention and direction, ensuring that learning experiences contribute to overall growth.
- Expansive – Broadens horizons and opens new possibilities, encouraging students to think beyond conventional boundaries and consider new perspectives or approaches.
- Substantial – Presents educational experiences with depth and significance that create lasting impact and meaningful change.
- Catalyzing – Promotes growth and development that continues well beyond the university experience, setting in motion ongoing personal and professional evolution that benefits graduates throughout their lives.
Our Brand Identity
The primary UNA brand identity is a dramatic interpretation of the Harrison Fountain contained in a classic shield shape. Since 2002, the Harrison Fountain has been an iconic landmark at the University of North Alabama. Located at the southern entrance, it is a beloved campus centerpiece and the site for cherished traditions and events.
The Harrison Fountain primary logo is an embodiment of our brand positioning, not just as decoration or tradition, but as a living symbol of community, aspiration, and renewal — which is, in essence, what UNA is promising every student who engages with the University.
This brand Usage and Style Guide is designed as a resource for anyone who writes, edits, or designs content for or speaks publicly about UNA. Consistent use of these assets helps ensure that our brand standards are being properly applied to official stationery, business cards, signage, university websites, seals, products, publications, and other official collateral.
The UNA brand and its expressions are stewarded and audited by the Office of Enrollment Marketing & Digital Communications.
For any further inquiries about the UNA brand, please contact marketing@una.edu.
You can download a copy of the Visual Identity Guideline for quick reference or to print!