More Than Demographics: Marketing That Reflects Real People

The November Lens will be a workshop led by Alixandra Foster on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, from noon to 2:00 p.m. This workshop examines how understanding audience diversity across cultures, abilities, ages, access, and life experiences leads to more intentional, ethical, and impactful marketing and design decisions. Participants will explore how to shift from assumption-based messaging to audience-informed strategy. Through practical examples from higher education, community organizations, and multi-platform campaigns, this session offers tools to design communications that resonate, build trust, and foster belonging. A boxed lunch will be provided to those registered. About the presenter Alixandria Foster is a communications specialist, marketer, and educator with more than a decade of professional experience in graphic design, branding, and audience-centered communication. She holds both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, along with certifications in Digital Media and Human–Computer Interaction, grounding her work in both creative communication strategy and user-centered design. Foster currently works as a Communications Coordinator at Indian Hills Community College, where she supports institutional marketing, digital content strategy, and communication efforts. Foster also teaches design courses for Iowa State University, preparing students to apply real-world strategies to creative and professional settings.