North Idaho College: A Story of Resilience, Community, and Success

North Idaho College is where it all began for me. I graduated from their graphic design program years ago, and like many students, I left to carve out my own path. Over time, I built Bahlr Media—an agency rooted in creative strategy, video production, and branding. We eventually started working with NIC on small projects here and there.

But in 2022, the college faced a major challenge. Enrollment had dropped significantly, and nationwide accreditation concerns put the institution in a vulnerable position. That’s when NIC reached out—not just for a video, but for vision.

I sat down with Ben Clark and Tom Greene to discuss what we could do together. As an alumnus, I was honored. And I was ready.

The easy route would have been to address the crisis directly—to make content about accreditation and fight the narrative head-on. But that wasn’t the right move. We needed to shift the spotlight entirely.

We proposed a bold campaign that would tell real stories of NIC students—young and non-traditional—balancing academic growth with the unique lifestyle that comes with living in Coeur d’Alene. Our town is a gem: lake life, trails, beach volleyball, and small-town charm. Why not show that off?

We crafted eight distinct video concepts, each centered on a student profile paired with their program and passion—running through the woods, kayaking, working hands-on in labs. The tone was uplifting, cinematic, and community-driven.