Bringing the Fulbright Review to Life: A First-Time Magazine Success Story
Creating a print publication from the ground up is no small feat, especially within a large, dynamic academic institution. For the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, the launch of the Fulbright Review Magazine marked an exciting new chapter in storytelling, alumni engagement, and institutional impact.
Originally conceived as a print extension of a long-running digital newsletter, the Fulbright Review was designed to offer something special: print-first, exclusive content tailored to a highly engaged audience of alumni, donors, and key constituents. Rather than distributing broadly, the publication was intentionally curated for individuals the college hopes to deepen relationships with, creating a sense of exclusivity and connection.
A Publication with Purpose
The magazine serves multiple strategic goals:
Reengaging alumni who haven’t received direct mail in years
Strengthening donor and constituent relationships
Showcasing the college’s impact locally, nationally, and globally
At its core, the publication positions Fulbright College as a vital public good, highlighting how a liberal arts and sciences education prepares students to think critically in a rapidly changing world.
Telling a Complex Story in 60 Pages
What makes Fulbright College unique is also what made this project so ambitious.
With nearly 1,000 faculty and staff, more than 8,000 students, and disciplines spanning natural sciences, fine arts, humanities, and social sciences, the challenge was clear:
How do you capture that breadth and depth in a single publication?
The result is a thoughtfully curated magazine featuring:
Impactful student stories
Inspiring alumni journeys
Innovative faculty research
Editorial profiles and news-style articles
Visually rich, photo-driven spreads
The larger trim size (9" x 10.875") allowed for bold, immersive imagery, creating a reading experience that feels as dynamic as the college itself.
From First Concept to Final Print
Like many first-time publication teams, Fulbright navigated challenges along the way from balancing representation across departments to working within the constraints of a large public institution.
That’s where Progress Printing Plus became more than a printer; we became a partner.
From the earliest planning conversations, our team worked closely with Fulbright to guide key decisions, answer questions, and simplify complex processes like production and mailing logistics. With no prior experience producing a magazine from scratch, having a knowledgeable and responsive partner made all the difference.
“From the start, everyone at Progress made us feel that there was no ‘dumb’ question. We were navigating this process for the very first time, and their team showed patience, kindness, and true partnership every step of the way.” – Grant Schol, Associate Director of Communications, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas
A Moment Worth the Wait
After a year of planning, collaboration, and creativity, the finished piece delivered something even more meaningful than a beautiful publication; it delivered validation.
“Tears. I was so proud of the work we produced. It was a year of work for our team… Seeing the final product gave us such validation that the choices we made and the direction we chose were right.” – Grant Schol, Associate Director of Communications, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas
Looking Ahead
The Fulbright Review Magazine is already making an impact, helping alumni and donors feel more connected while elevating the college’s story in a powerful, tangible way.
Looking forward, the team is excited to continue evolving the publication with enhancements like gatefolds and specialty finishes, bringing even more creativity and dimension to future issues.
At Progress Printing Plus, we’re proud to support institutions like Fulbright College in bringing their stories to life, and we’re excited to see where their vision goes next.