From the Nominator

The Best Teachers Are Saints is a mission-centered alumni engagement and brand storytelling initiative designed to celebrate Siena's alumni educators while strengthening institutional identity, alumni pride, and student recruitment. The primary audience was Siena alumni working in education, with the secondary audience of prospective students. Strategically, the program positioned alumni teachers as living expressions of Siena’s Franciscan values—educators who form the whole person and inspire future generations—while leveraging their trusted role to extend Siena’s presence into classrooms. Alumni teachers were invited to self-identify through a targeted outreach campaign and received a complimentary Siena classroom swag package, including a Siena Alumni T-shirt, pendant, mouse pad, and a “Your Teacher Is a Saint” poster for classroom display. The initiative intentionally bridged alumni engagement and enrollment strategy. Participating teachers were asked if they would be willing to speak with high school juniors and seniors interested in college options when Siena admissions counselors visited their school districts. Of the 367 alumni teachers who participated, 184 (50%) affirmed their willingness to serve as in-school ambassadors—creating a powerful, peer-to-peer recruitment opportunity rooted in authenticity and trust. The campaign extended into National College Decision Day, when alumni teachers were encouraged to photograph themselves with seniors who chose Siena. These stories were featured in the Summer 2025 Siena News magazine and across social media, amplifying reach and impact. The results exceeded expectations with 367 alumni teachers actively engaging, significantly expanding Siena’s educator alumni network, increasing classroom-level brand visibility, strengthening admissions collaboration, and reinforcing Siena’s Franciscan mission through authentic alumni storytelling.

From the Judges

We loved the impact and reach. A great chance to increase impact and exposure to students seeing this in the classroom.