ABQ Times

The University Communication and Marketing (UCAM) department has been recognized with several awards for excellence over the past year. Notably, the podcast "It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science" (IPNRS) received Gold and Best in Show in the Tactics category at the Cumbre Awards. This event was hosted by the New Mexico Public Relations Society of America (NMPRSA) at Route 66 Casino in Albuquerque.

The Cumbre Awards honor communications professionals throughout New Mexico for their achievements in public relations campaigns and tactics. UCAM was among those acknowledged, bringing significant accolades back to campus.

Produced by UCAM, "It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science" is a podcast series that explores complex topics with new research impacting modern society. Launched in September 2023, it features faculty from UNM who are recognized globally as leading researchers.

“This Best in Show award for ‘It’s (Probably ) Not Rocket Science’ was a collaborative department-wide effort including communications, marketing, web services and social media,” said Communication Director Steve Carr. “Congratulations and thank you to all team members, past and present, who bought into the idea, played a role, and contributed to bringing this award-winning tactic to fruition.”

Podcasts offer a distinctive form of audio journalism that engages listeners in intimate conversations between hosts and guests while allowing them to use their imagination to analyze discussions.

“To have the extensive work we’ve done behind the scenes of It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science recognized as first-class by the state’s public relations industry is a huge honor,” said podcast host Carly Bowling. “One that simply would not be possible without the passionate faculty and students who’ve graciously shared their time and knowledge with us on the podcast. I’m so grateful to each and every person who has contributed to the show and everyone who has followed along as a listener.”

UCAM also received recognition for its marketing and creative efforts from The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), through Circle of Excellence Awards, and The University & College Designers Association (UCDA).

In 2024, UCAM's marketing team gained high-level recognition for more than 20 projects, winning three CASE Best of District IV awards including Cherry on Top: UNM Hot Air Balloon for student engagement initiatives as well as Cherry on Top: UNM Hot Air Balloon pins and “Land of Achievement” shirts for specialty product design.

CASE District IV includes over 2,900 members from more than 260 institutions across Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The Circle of Excellence awards highlight work in alumni relations, fundraising, communications, marketing, and advancement services.

From UCDA's Design Awards Competition spanning two decades recognizing top designers supporting educational institutions' missions of design excellence—UCAM received nine awards total. This included a gold award for a photo series at UNM North Golf Course alongside silver awards for photo series covering Cherry on Top’s first ascension event; Lobo Day 2024; Silent Lights events held during 2023 amongst others evaluated among nearly one thousand entries judged professionally within six competitions presented with honors accordingly based upon merit exhibited therein deemed deserving thereof ultimately awarded thereafter accordingly so forth thusly per se therein underlined herewith hereby thereupon henceforth notwithstanding hereinabove aforementioned whereby thereby whenceforth hitherto whereto thenceforward thereof hereinbefore thereto forementioned whereinwhosoever wherefore whereas therefore therefrom wherebytherein unto henceforth whereinunder notwithstanding hereinbelow whereat whichsoever wheresoever whatsoever whereinsofar howeverwherever whomsoever whatsoever whensoever whateverwhereabouts wherever whenever howsoever whoever whomsoever whereverwhen whomever however whenever whatever whichever wherewithal whereby whereinwhenever whereverwhereby whereas wherewithal whereof thereon wherefromwherein whatnot whereabouts nevertheless thereby nonetheless hencehenceforth henceforward hitherto hitherward hitherwardsthereupon thereunto theretofore thitherwardstheretoward towardwards towardstowards