Trevecca Nazarene Brings Print Back In-House for Big Results
Trevecca Nazarene University is a liberal arts school in Nashville, TN, with about 3,000 students. The university has a digital print shop that produces everything from tests, syllabi, and books; to invitations and programs for black-tie fundraiser events; and full-blown marketing campaigns to attract prospective students. Trevecca Print Services, the university’s in-plant printing facility, is run by Kelly Huebscher, along with a night-time supervisor, and a staff of students who get experience and pay a portion of their loans through the university’s iwork program.
The in-plant operation was not always successful. In 2013, the shop was filled with older digital copy machines, which were so outdated the university was considering closing it. The administration asked Huebscher to perform a campus-wide, enterprise print study and decided to transform the in-plant into a fully digital operation that manages all printing on campus—and they put Huebscher in charge.
The in-plant operation’s first challenge was selecting the technologies for the migration from copy machines to digital printers. However, transforming an in-plant from an outdated shop to a digital printing operation is more challenging than acquiring digital presses and software. Huebscher also needed to get strong, upper management support; change clients’ ordering methods and habits; alter the university’s perception of the in-plant; and determine how to promote and use their new capabilities. She also needed to learn about printing.
