The Hidden Gem

In this episode of  The Hidden Gem , host Maya Demishkevich sits down with Marcus Hanscom, an expert in higher ed marketing, to demystify inbound marketing and its impact on student engagement and enrollment. Many institutions focus on traditional advertising, but Marcus explains why inbound marketing - a strategy centered on attracting students through valuable, relevant content - is the key to l...

In this episode of  The Hidden Gem , host Maya Demishkevich sits down with Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast, to discuss an innovative approach to bridging the gap between students seeking affordable education and employers struggling to fill critical workforce shortages.  Dr. Danielson shares the success of the Career Opportunity Program, a last-dollar tuition i...

In this episode of The Hidden Gem , Maya Demishkevich speaks with Rebecca Oliver, Director of Strategic Communications at North Shore Community College, about her transition from private universities to the world of community colleges. Rebecca shares her unique insights on the differences between private and public institutions, how community colleges can leverage their strengths, and the challeng...

In this episode of The Hidden Gem , Maya Demishkevich sits down with Amy Filardo, Chief Marketing Officer at Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), Maryland’s largest community college. Amy shares her journey of transforming the marketing and communications function at CCBC over the past four years. From integrating continuing education marketing into a centralized team to implementing new...

In this episode of The Hidden Gem , host Maya Demishkevich sits down with Julio Vargas-Essex, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at North Hennepin Community College, to discuss how innovative research and collaborative strategies are driving student retention. Julio shares insights from his groundbreaking research project, "Stop, Drop, and Enroll," which focused on identif...

In this episode of The Hidden Gem , Maya Demishkevich sits down with Liz Cooper, Associate Director of Public Relations at Massachusetts Bay Community College, to discuss the art of storytelling and the top mistakes to avoid when crafting impactful stories. Liz shares her process for identifying, creating, and scaling authentic narratives that resonate with students, faculty, and communities. From...

In this episode of  The Hidden Gem , host Maya Demishkevich dives into the evolving role of direct mail in higher education marketing with Eric Webb, an expert with over 20 years of experience in direct mail and direct marketing. They discuss how integrating direct mail with digital strategies can drive enrollment, the importance of personalization, and why tangible mail pieces can create deeper c...

In this Enrollify webinar, Balancing Bites and Bonds: How AI Can Humanize Higher Ed , Mallory Willsea and an expert panel dive deep into how artificial intelligence is transforming student engagement in higher education. Featuring The Hidden Gem host Maya Demishkevich, Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO host Jamie Hunt, Generation AI co-host JC Bonilla, and AI for U host Brian Piper, the discussion ad...

In this episode of The Hidden Gem , host Maya Demishkevich welcomes Raven Haller, a social media specialist and former social media ambassador for Carroll Community College. Raven shares her journey from being a student ambassador to joining the college’s marketing team, offering a unique perspective on the impact of student-driven content in community college marketing. Together, they discuss the...

In this episode of The Hidden Gem , host Maya Demishkevich sits down with Dr. Melissa Curtis to explore the concept of a "healthy enrollment ecosystem." Dr. Curtis shares how institutions can transform enrollment processes by addressing interconnected areas like admissions, student support, academic affairs, and more. They discuss actionable steps for building trust across departments, creating a...

In this episode of The Hidden Gem Podcast , host Maya Demishkevich sits down with Caitlin Currey, VP of Strategy at ID Five, live at the AMA conference. The duo explores how colleges can use advancement campaigns to raise brand awareness and strengthen institutional reputation. They discuss actionable strategies for bridging silos between marketing and advancement teams, the power of storytelling,...

In this episode of The Hidden Gem , host Maya Demishkevich sits down with Ryan Morabito, a higher education marketing expert known for his popular LinkedIn insights. Together, they discuss the Top 10 Truths About Higher Ed Marketing, touching on everything from building trust with stakeholders to creating effective brand narratives that resonate with students, donors, and faculty. This episode is...

In this episode of the Hidden Gem Podcast , host Maya Demishkevich interviews Jenny Li Fowler, MIT’s Director of Social Media and host of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager. They explore the evolving role of social media in higher education, addressing common misconceptions and practical strategies for transforming social platforms into powerful tools for engagement, intelligence, and...

In this episode of The Hidden Gem Podcast , host Maya Demishkevich speaks with Brian Messer from Archer Education, live from the AMA conference in Las Vegas. They dive into the transformative role AI can play in improving the onboarding experience in community colleges, focusing on challenges like clarity in degree pathways, ease of enrollment, and completion timelines. Brian highlights how AI-dri...

In this episode of  The Hidden Gem , Maya Demishkevich welcomes Alana Villemez, CEO of Most Likely to Succeed, to discuss the growing importance of program-specific marketing for community colleges. With extensive experience working with over 100 colleges, Alana shares insights into why colleges should prioritize marketing specific programs over broad awareness campaigns and how to effectively all...

In this episode of  The Hidden Gem , Maya Demishkevich speaks with John McGreal, Dean of Enrollment Services at Waukesha County Technical College, about the college’s research-driven approach to improving adult student enrollment. John shares insights from a recent study funded by a grant, exploring the barriers adults face in returning to school and how targeted marketing and operational changes...

In this episode of  The Hidden Gem , Maya Demishkevich speaks with Eve Markman, Assistant Vice President for Brand Management and Operation from the Community College of Philadelphia about their ambitious rebranding journey. Eve shares insights into how the college's new branding, including the introduction of lion statues, has revitalized campus life, created a sense of pride, and driven student...

In this episode of The Hidden Gem , Maya Demishkevich talks with Carrie Pitts-Densmore, VP of Enrollment and Marketing at Johnson Community College about transforming internal communications. Carrie shares her experience over the last three years in centralizing communication efforts, enhancing transparency, and building trust across departments. Discover how these initiatives have shaped a more i...

In this episode of The Hidden Gem , host Maya Demishkevich speaks with Kaylan Gaines, Director of Recruitment and Engagement at Waukesha County Technical College, about the college's innovative approach to in-person registration events. Kaylan shares the story behind the creation of the "Admission Accomplished" event—a one-stop enrollment experience designed to simplify the registration process fo...

In this enlightening episode, we welcome Rob Zinkan, Vice President for Marketing Leadership at RHB, to discuss the pivotal role of constituent experiences in higher education marketing. Rob provides an in-depth look at the challenges and opportunities facing community colleges as they strive to enhance their impact on students and communities. From understanding RHB’s 4Es model to creating meanin...

In this two-part episode of Hidden Gem, Maya Demishkevich interviews Diane Burkett, Executive Director of Marketing and Public Affairs at College of the Mainland. Diane shares her comprehensive approach to strategic enrollment marketing, focusing on ten key areas that have driven significant growth and success for her institution. From optimizing websites and creating seamless student experiences...

In Part 1 of this two-part episode of Hidden Gem, Maya Demishkevich interviews Diane Burkett, Executive Director of Marketing and Public Affairs at College of the Mainland. Diane shares her comprehensive approach to strategic enrollment marketing, focusing on ten key areas that have driven significant growth and success for her institution. From optimizing websites and creating seamless student ex...

In this episode of Hidden Gem, Maya Demishkevich sits down with Dr. Stephanie Erdmann, CEO and Dean of Great Falls College, to discuss the college's innovative journey to strengthen its brand identity. Dr. Erdmann shares the fascinating story behind the introduction of their new mascot, Mo the River Otter. Learn how a well-executed mascot can bring a community together, enhance school spirit, and...

In this episode of Hidden Gem, Maya interviews Lilian Clemente, the Executive Director of Strategic Marketing Communications and Interim VP for Strategy and Innovation at Front Range Community College. Lilian shares her journey of building a brand new marketing communication department from the ground up, discussing the challenges, strategies, and successes along the way. Tune in to discover how t...

In this enlightening episode, we welcome Dr. Martha Parham, the Senior VP of Public Relations for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), to discuss the pivotal role community colleges play in the higher education landscape. Martha provides an in-depth look at the challenges and opportunities facing community colleges across the United States, emphasizing the critical support AACC p...