Kennesaw State University touted its global reach in a new commercial that was first shown during a Jan. 13 men’s NCAA Division basketball game.

The 30-second spot titled “Global Thinkers. Engaged Leaders” highlights the university’s diverse curriculum and student body.

Tammy DeMel, Kennesaw State’s assistant director of university relations, told GlobalAtlanta the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA, provided airtime during the game and university officials chose to highlight their global orientation.

A number of Kennesaw State’s recent initiatives are designed to enhance its international education curriculum.

The university launched a Quality Enhancement Plan in 2007. Known as the “Get Global” initiative, the program is designed to increase international learning opportunities for Kennesaw State students.

Since 2009 the university has awarded a Global Engagement Certification to students who engage with global perspectives and develop intercultural skills.

As of the fall 2011, 24,175 students were enrolled at the university with the largest enrollment in Kennesaw State University's history. More than three-quarters of the student body come from Cobb, Cherokee, or Fulton counties in Georgia. Nine percent, or more than 2,100 students, come from over 136 countries.

The commercial will air on Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast, or CSS, to air during a contest between the Kennesaw State Owls and Mercer University Bears. The spot will also be used on the university website and social media.

Kennesaw State completed a transition to NCAA Division I athletics in 2009. Reserved for the largest universities in the U.S., Division I athletics often benefit from greater media exposure.

University President Dan Papp said the athletic designation gives Kennesaw State a larger platform to promote its academic programs.

“One of the benefits of being an NCAA Division I school is the opportunity to showcase all of Kennesaw State – our students, academics programs and campus life – to broader audiences,” Mr. Papp said in a news release.

Kennesaw State plays in the Atlantic Sun Conference, which has television deals with national broadcaster ESPN as well as CSS.

For more information go to www.kennesaw.edu.

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