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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 HELP YOU SHIFT FROM TRANSACTION TO PARTICIPATION

WE HELP YOU
ENGINEER INNOVATIVE EXPERIENCES

WE HELP ACTIVATE
YOUR BRAND

WE HELP YOU
CLAIM EMOTIONAL MINDSHARE

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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
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
JOSH JOHNS
VP of Creative Strategy,
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.

Duke University

Duke University's MADE FOR THIS Campaign launch weekend transformed attendees from passive observers to active participants, engaging donors and volunteers in a dynamic, co-creative experience.

read more

Vanderbilt University

On the heels of their 150th anniversary celebration, we helped Vanderbilt University launch their Dare to Grow campaign. Through the voices of students, faculty, and leadership — along with emcee Willie Geist and special musical guest Maren Morris — we took Vanderbilt’s top donors and volunteers on a journey through what it means to be building “the Great University of the 21st Century.”

read more

Texas Christian University

We were delighted to partner with Texas Christian University on the celebration of the university’s sesquicentennial anniversary and the successful close of its $1 billion campaign, Lead On: A Campaign for TCU.

read more

Oregon State University

We brought OSU’s $1.75 billion "Believe It" campaign to life with an immersive video, major gift reveals, a landmark art installation, and a thrilling OSU Marching Band performance with a laser show.

read more

University of California Irvine

Illuminating a “Brilliant Future,” we delivered UC Irvine’s $2.4 billion campaign culmination through a multisensory drone spectacle and living gallery that transformed donor investment into immersive reality.

read more

University of Maryland

Through a high-impact, sensory-driven experience to inspire action, we partnered with UMD to launch the “Forward” campaign, uniting donors and visionaries.

read more

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

Why Your University Milestone Needs the Stage in a Digital World

  • By Sarah Winkler

Impossible to Ignore: How to Capture Mindshare and Win at Fundraising

  • Sarah Winkler

Applying Game Day Strategy to Live Storytelling Events

  • By Zack Eagles · Published on LinkedIn

Why a Great Event Matters More Than Ever.

  • By Sarah Winkler · Published on LinkedIn

Lessons in Storytelling: What Universities Can Learn From Familiar Brands

  • By Sarah Winkler · Published on LinkedIn

Trends Driving University Engagement Strategies in 2025

  • By Sarah Winkler · Published on LinkedIn
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Circle Up! A Conversation Series

Host Zack Eagles sits down with peer rockstars across advancement, communications, and university events to explore the stories that move people and the strategies that bring us together.

A Different Day of Philanthropy

July 16, 2026

What makes a university’s philanthropic campaign... read more

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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to common questions about INVNT's expertise, our approach to storytelling, digital innovation, experiential marketing and discover how we help brands make bold, lasting impressions.

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What is the specific focus of INVNT Higher Ed?

INVNT Higher Ed is dedicated to empowering colleges and universities to celebrate major institutional milestones, manage presidential transitions, run regional tours, and execute multi-billion-dollar capital campaigns at scale. We help institutions elevate their academic reputations and connect deeply with their alumni, donors, and academic communities.

We specialize in a wide array of higher education events, including large-scale capital campaign launches, donor appreciation events, alumni reunions, presidential inaugurations, academic symposia, groundbreaking ceremonies, centennial celebrations, and high-impact student experience programs.

We leverage the power of brand storytelling to translate institutional achievements, values, and visions for the future into a compelling narrative. Rather than listing historical facts, we weave a cohesive story that places donors, alumni, students, and faculty directly inside the institutional mission, transforming passive observers into active partners.

Our consultative approach, combined with a global team of creative, technology, and production talent, allows us to translate and scale best practices from corporate brand engagement to higher education. Led by SVP Sarah Winkler, who has over 25 years of specialized higher education experience, and VP of Creative Strategy Josh Johns, we bring a nationally renowned practice that has partnered with prestigious institutions like Duke, Vanderbilt, TCU, Yale, NYU, MIT, and Harvard.

We understand that a campaign launch is not just informational—it is decisional. We collaborate directly with university advancement and leadership teams to replace traditional appeals with a confident, forward-looking platform. By meeting supporters at the intersection of their personal passions and the institution's vision, we shift donors from "supporting a campaign" to actively participating in funding a future they want to shape.

Yes, we are highly adept at executing events across all formats. Whether it is a grand in-person milestone gala, a sophisticated virtual webinar series, or a hybrid event blending physical and digital attendees, we leverage technology, virtual tools, and creative storytelling to maximize engagement and global reach.

We pride ourselves on creating bespoke experiences. Our process involves deep research into your institution's legacy, traditions, and aspirations. We weave these unique historical elements directly into the event's scenic design, programming, speaker pacing, and media to create an authentic, emotionally resonant experience that is impossible to ignore.

We act as strategic partners, not just vendors. We bring a consultative approach, serving as the strategic connective tissue between Advancement, MarComm, and University Leadership. We help universities refine their long-term event strategy, enhance their public narrative, and build stronger, more lasting relationships with their various constituencies.

Yes. INVNT is a proud member of Nth Degree, a leading global event platform and family of companies. Alongside INVNT, Nth Degree brings high-quality event labor and general contracting to corporations, associations, exhibit houses, and partners throughout the event marketing industry. Supported by private equity partner Shamrock Capital, a $7 billion investor in media, entertainment, and communications, this partnership gives us unparalleled global scale, operational depth, and financial stability to execute experiences of any size with total confidence.

Let’s Talk!

highered@invnt.com
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