Higher ED
PROGRESS DOESN’T PAUSE – AND NEITHER CAN HIGHER EDUCATION
Universities are not observers of the future: they shape it. Advancement works best when your mission is positioned as a platform to invest in what comes next. By merging your values and ambition into an evocative story, we help you create a visionary movement that earns commitment – and investment – at scale.
A TRUE STRATEGIC PARTNER
We craft events as immersive experiences fused into a single, disciplined Brandstory that donors can see themselves inside. We turn institutional strength into personal conviction to move audiences from affinity to belief and from belief into action.
Our Approach
WE HELP YOU INSPIRE ACTION
We anchor the experiential journey in tangible outcomes and emotional resonance. By leading audiences toward an unmistakable call to action, we invite them to help power humanity forward.
WE HELP YOU SHIFT FROM TRANSACTION TO PARTICIPATION
We don’t ask donors to “support the campaign.” We invite them to participate at the ground floor when momentum is forming and leadership matters most. We replace
traditional appeals with a confident, forward-looking platform where every stakeholder funds a future they see themselves shaping.
WE HELP YOU ENGINEER INNOVATIVE EXPERIENCES
An intentional experience signals leadership, confidence, and readiness to execute. From innovative storytelling to reimagined venues, we use space, speakers, and pacing as strategic tools to make the future feel real and worth supporting now.
WE HELP ACTIVATE YOUR BRAND
Great ideas need alignment to thrive. We act as the strategic connective tissue between Advancement, MarComm, and Leadership to unite every voice behind a single, unmistakable vision that moves your supporters to act.
WE HELP YOU CLAIM EMOTIONAL MINDSHARE
When belief is established in the room, urgency follows. We meet supporters at the intersection of their personal passions and the institution’s vision, ensuring your institution is at the top of their minds when they want to see their values reflected in tangible, global progress.
Strategic Focus Areas
Campaign Launch Events
A campaign launch is not informational. It is decisional. We turn launches into powerful brand moments that answer the question, “why now?” Through a compelling story, we lead supporters through a deliberate experiential sequence designed to create alignment and commitment.
Campaign Close Events
Campaign close events are more than a time to reflect and celebrate; they build excitement for the university’s trajectory. Together, we develop an unforgettable experience that demonstrates a clear return on donor generosity, grounding inspiration in proof as you look toward what comes next.
Regional Tours
We specialize in translating the momentum of your campaign launch into an engaging regional tour. Our approach maximizes your investment while creating room for regional customization, empowering local ambassadors, and broadening your institution’s reach.
Milestone Anniversaries
We take pride in planning and executing milestone anniversary events that celebrate your university’s history while instantly connecting it to further impact. We focus on uniting your community, deepening engagement, and shifting the narrative from legacy preservation to forward-looking progress.
Leadership Transitions
In significant moments of change, we develop rollout strategies that set up new leaders for long-term success. Through a persuasive narrative that forges vision into action, we turn leadership investitures into defining moments that signal preparation and confidence.
Leadership
SARAH WINKLER
SVP, INVNT HIGHER ED
About Sarah
For over 25 years, Sarah has created long term strategies that move audiences to deeper engagement. She has developed a nationally renowned university practice helping both public and private institutions realize the full potential of such milestones as campaign launches, regional tours, anniversary celebrations and presidential transitions. Sarah co-founded Educe in 2013 with a sole focus on higher education which was later sold in 2020. She has been published in national and regional press and recognized for her work by both PRSA and CASE. Sarah chaired the 2017 Case National Conference on Special Events and served on the CASE Summit Committee and Case Industry Advisory Council.
JOSH JOHNS
VP of Creative Strategy,
INVNT Higher ed
INVNT Higher ed
About Josh
Josh uncovers creative insights, connects the dots across priorities and disciplines, and brings the big picture in sharp focus through compelling creative strategy. He translates goals and objectives into clear creative direction, leading to the targeted development of messaging, video, and live experiences that engage donors, alumni, and partners in an institution's story. Josh has worked on shaping the stories behind some of the largest philanthropic campaigns in the country, such as Duke University, Harvard Business School, Yale University, New York University, and MIT.
Case Studies
We partner with forward-thinking schools to redefine how they use live events to cultivate relationships, drive philanthropy, and engage their global audiences.
A Sampling of Our Experience
Auburn University
Harvard Business School
Yale
University of Rochester
Cornell University
MIT
Emory University
University of Wisconsin
Indiana University
Penn State University
Johns Hopkins University
Oregon State University
University of California Irvine
Texas Christian University
University of Maryland
Duke University
Northeastern University
The Ohio State University
William & Mary
American University
Boston University
Catholic University of America
New York University
University of Virginia
St. Joseph University
Brown University
Rice University
Syracuse University
University of Kansas
University of Connecticut
UMBC
United States Naval Academy
Featured Articles
What do you need to know about INVNT
Get answers to common questions about INVNT's expertise, our approach to storytelling, digital innovation, and experiential marketing and discover how we help brands make bold, lasting impressions.
What is the specific focus of INVNT Higher Ed?
INVNT Higher Ed is dedicated to empowering colleges and universities to create impactful events and experiences that engage alumni, cultivate donor relationships, celebrate milestones, enhance institutional reputation, and connect with their diverse academic communities in meaningful ways.
What kind of events does INVNT Higher Ed produce for educational institutions?
We create a range of events, including campaign launches, donor cultivation events, alumni gatherings, milestone celebrations, and other strategic engagements designed for higher education.
How does INVNT Higher Ed incorporate storytelling into university events?
We leverage the power of brand storytelling to highlight institutional achievements, share visions for the future, and connect with diverse audiences, including alumni, donors, university leadership, faculty, and students.
What makes INVNT Higher Ed unique in the higher education event space?
Our consultative approach, combined with a global team of creative, technology, and production talent, allows us to translate and scale best practices from brand engagement to create impactful and persuasive experiences for higher education.
How does INVNT Higher Ed help universities achieve their fundraising and advancement goals?
We understand the unique landscape of university advancement. We collaborate with leadership and development teams to design events that strategically inform, inspire, and steward donors, helping to build a compelling case for support and ignite philanthropic movements.
Does INVNT Higher Ed offer services for both in-person and virtual/hybrid university events?
Yes, we are adept at designing and executing events across all formats. Whether it's a milestone experience, a sophisticated virtual webinar series, or a hybrid event blending physical and digital attendees, we leverage technology and creative storytelling to maximize engagement and reach.
How does INVNT Higher Ed incorporate the unique culture and history of a university into its events?
We pride ourselves on creating bespoke experiences. Our process involves deep dives into your institution's legacy, traditions, and aspirations. We weave these unique elements into the event's narrative, design, and programming to create an authentic and deeply resonant experience for all stakeholders.
Beyond event production, what strategic value does INVNT Higher Ed bring to universities?
We act as strategic partners, not just vendors. We bring a consultative approach, leveraging our global expertise in brand storytelling and experiential marketing to help universities refine their event strategy, enhance their narrative, and build stronger, more lasting relationships with their various constituencies.
Global brand storytelling that move audiences
End-To-end creative solutions for challenger brands and organizations
From concept to execution, INVNT delivers world-class, innovation-led brand experiences that impact audiences, dent culture, and make history. Our global in-house teams specialize in creative, strategy, experiential marketing, digital strategy, content, and innovation-led solutions that help brands break through and lead with purpose.
Impresive Brand Experiences
Live, hybrid, and virtual activations that move audiences and bring your brand story for life.
Purposeful Digital Strategy
Web, content, and social strategies designed to connect, convert, and inspire action.
Innovation That Performs
Creative tech, data, AI, AR/VR/MR/XR, Spatial Computing and emerging tools that fuel your brand’s next moon shot.
Let’s Talk!