Local nonprofit, digital marketing students team up to help kids in need

Nicolet College digital marketing students learn in-demand job skills, while helping local businesses and non-profit organizations. One of their current projects aims to increase awareness of Feed Our Rural Kids (FORK), showcasing its mission of providing food for children in our Northwoods community.

“Nicolet College’s collaboration with FORK centers around Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for their website, FeedOurRuralKids.org,” according to a Nicolet press release. “This endeavor will provide FORK with a comprehensive roadmap to enhance their online visibility.”

 The importance of online visibility cannot be overstated in today’s digital landscape, according to Donald Schindhelm, digital marketing instructor at Nicolet College.

 “In today’s digital world, it’s no longer enough to have a website or a Facebook page. An organization’s online presence must be easily discoverable,” he noted. “To make FORK more accessible, our students leverage the tools and techniques acquired in their Digital Marketing Fundamentals Course at Nicolet. Achieving high visibility for an organization like FORK involves online analysis, keyword research, market messaging, and registration on prominent search directories like Google, Yelp, and Yellow Pages.”

Perry Pokrandt, president  of FORK, recognizes the significance of partnering with Nicolet College.  

“Having partners like Nicolet College will enable us to better serve local families in need of food support,” he said. “Increased online visibility will also amplify FORK's message, connecting with potential benefactors who share our commitment to supporting local children from food-insecure households.”

Feed Our Rural Kids is a registered 501(c)(3) with a mission is to provide nutritional support to children from food insecure homes within the Northland Pines, Three Lakes, and Phelps school districts.  

FORK also supports the Family Food Helpline at 888-479-FORK (3675) in partnership with the Vilas and Oneida County Departments of Social Services. 

In Nicolet College’s nine credit digital marketing certificate, students learn keyword research, search engine optimization, social media content development, and how to create email newsletters. The courses are online and flexible, with the most current curriculum provided by the Digital Marketing Institute.

Students who complete the program also earn internationally recognized certifications from the Digital Marketing Institute and the American Marketing Association. 

For more information about the program or to enroll, contact Nicolet College at 715-365-4493 or visit nicoletcollege.edu.