Universities make America great. They undergird our national security and are fonts of wealth creation, both in the communities in which they operate and across the country. Their excellence has made the U.S. higher education system the envy of the world, and they are foundational to American competitiveness and innovation. If not for universities, none of the “magnificent seven” U.S. tech giants would exist today.

The American people and their political representatives used to be well aware of these facts, but recent public scrutiny of U.S. higher education is starting to sow doubt. While universities and colleges are defending themselves with law firms and lobbyists, they also need a communications campaign that aggressively reminds Americans and policymakers that U.S. higher education institutions represent the best of our nation and deliver outsized contributions to society.

A comprehensive communications strategy can help universities manage the crises caused by intense public scrutiny and repair the damaged brand of higher education in America. University leaders have done a good job describing what is happening, but they have generally held back from framing their communications in the context of what higher education does for America and what Americans have to lose.

Universities need open letters from their graduates who have made a mark in American life; outreach by city and county officials who count on the economic engines of higher education; proclamations in state legislatures laying out the benefits of colleges and universities — and more. At best, defense keeps others off the board; but you need to go on offense to score points.

To take this approach, universities need to look off the beaten path and find partners who are built to go on the offense. At The Fratelli Group, this approach is in our DNA. We define the win, devise a gameplan to get there and work with our clients to go — and stay — on offense. We combine the discipline of brand marketing with the strategic mindset of political campaigns to help organizations communicate positively in the face of hostility, misdirection and doubt. We stay focused on doing the doable and moving the movable, and we get results.

Some of America’s largest and most successful business enterprises and organizations — including many in the education space — have trusted The Fratelli Group to help them manage the public’s perception of them and the value they deliver. They rely on our deep experience in crisis communications, reputation management and brand enhancement.

They also appreciate knowing that the senior team members they meet at the outset will be the same ones that stay involved throughout the engagement. We’re a quiet partner, working with our clients to turn crisis into advantage and get them the win.