Higher Ed Conversations

What does it take to pass a $600 million bond measure in a politically divided community? In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom sits down with Alex Breitler , Director of Marketing and Communications at San Joaquin Delta College , to unpack the strategy, stress, and surprising joys of leading a successful bond campaign. Breitler shares how his background as a journa...

What happens when a university doesn’t just adopt AI, but bakes it into its DNA? In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom sits down with two transformational leaders from American University's Kogod School of Business to explore how AI is reshaping everything from curriculum design to campus marketing and student support. Dean David Marchick and Professor & AI...

What does a Fractional CMO actually do and why are ed-tech companies and colleges leaning into this flexible leadership model? In this episode, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom is joined by Gil Rogers , founder of GR7 Marketing , whose deep roots in ed-tech and higher education make him a go-to strategist for institutions looking to get smarter, faster. Rogers shares what it really means to step in as a...

Did you know that nearly one-third of college students drop out after their first year? In this episode, Carey Dukes , assistant professor at North Greenville University and author of A Guide to Thrive! , joins GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom to explore why so many students struggle and what we can do about it. Dukes breaks down the six key variables he uses to measure college readiness, offering a fram...

GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom is joined by Marcela Andrés , CEO and president of designEDengagement, PBC , a consulting firm built around the idea that education can be transformed by enhancing the connection between students, families, educators, and communities. Andrés' book, Purposeful Educator Connections , discusses how educators can strengthen their relationships with students and highlight...

There is a push and pull between an advertiser’s desire to attribute advertisement spending to lead generation and their responsibility to respect consumer privacy. In this episode, Raj Sudra , the Chief Technology Officer at USA Today Co. (historically known as Gannett) & LocaliQ , joins GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom to discuss his role and the intricacies of digital marketing attribution. He exp...

In this episode, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom is joined by Teege Mettille , Director of Enrollment Success at enroll ml , to talk about the crucial topic of college admissions. Mettille shares his personal journey from being a first-generation college student to a thought leader in admissions, emphasizing the transformative impact of higher education. The conversation explores his book, 'The Adm...

Dr. Tina King , President of San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) , joins GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom to talk about branding and how GradComm helped elevate the beauty already present in SDCCE to connect more with the community they served. In this episode, they discuss the unique aspects of SDCCE as one of the largest non-credit institutions in the nation, focusing on its mission to pr...

What are the barriers that keep students from finishing an application or from completing their degree? Emily Coleman , CEO & Co-founder of HAI Analytics (now part of Encoura ),  joins GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom to discuss her company’s work in building predictive models for higher education institutions. These models help predict student behavior to optimize critical processes like the allocat...

In this episode, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom speaks with Elaine Gosden , CEO of Blue Gnu Consulting , about what true leadership looks like—and how to build a culture where leaders thrive. With 89% of managers lacking formal leadership training, this conversation explores the critical need for intentional development across organizations. Gosden shares her company’s approach to building stronger tea...

The worst time to plan a response to a crisis is in the middle of one. In this episode, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom speaks with Stephanie Craig , President of the crisis management firm Kith , about how institutions can better prepare for the unexpected. Craig explains why building a plan in advance and practicing it regularly is essential for handling emergencies effectively. The conversation cover...

In this episode, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom sits down with Nick Martin , Co-Founder of Direqt , to explore how AI is transforming the student experience. Martin and his team have built conversational AI chatbots trained on a college’s website, data, and social media content—allowing students to get real-time answers to common questions like “How do I apply for financial aid?” or “Where can I change...

In this episode, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom sits down with Beth Noel , Director of Communications & Creative Services at Middlesex Community College , to talk about accessibility and inclusive design in higher education. What started with a compliance letter about inaccessible PDFs became a turning point in Noel’s journey toward building a culture of belonging for students with disabilities. Sh...

In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations , GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom talks with Christine Rose , Regional Senior Marketing Director at Outfront , about the fast-evolving world of out-of-home (OOH) media. Rose shares how she oversees marketing strategy across ten Western U.S. markets and explains why OOH is one of the most effective and underutilized tools in a college’s media mix. The conversati...

On this Higher Ed Conversations episode, I host a conversation with an Al expert and, more impressively, my sister-in-law, Suzi Boynton! Suzi is the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Trustees for the San Marcos Unified School District, where she utilizes the tool of Al in her day-to-day work for the school system. In our conversation, we discussed Suzi's journey with AI a...

In this episode, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom talks with Keith Goodman , a direct mail marketing expert, about the renewed power of direct mail in today’s digital-first world, especially for education marketers. Goodman explains how direct mail allows for precise, personalized outreach by using rich demographic and psychographic data, including household makeup, interests, and behaviors. The conversa...

In this episode, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom hosts her first solo conversation to celebrate the release of her new ebook, "Why Your Community CollegeMarketing is Failing: Lessons From Online Dating, " which quickly became a #1 bestseller in multiple online categories. Cheryl shares a behind-the-scenes look at the book and breaks down three core themes that have helped hundreds of colleges...

Many students cannot enroll in traditional two- or four-year college programs, but they still want access to professional skills that lead to higher-paying jobs. In this episode, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom speaks with Linda Kurokawa , Executive Director of Community Education & Workforce Development at MiraCosta College , about how noncredit workforce programs are helping to fill that gap. Kuro...

As higher education continues to evolve and expand, the presidency of its institutions has become an increasingly demanding role. GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom sits down with Jeff Julian , Chief of Staff at Harper College and President of the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations , to discuss the shifting landscape of higher ed leadership. In this episode, Julian shares insights from h...

It’s undeniable that social media has transformed into an essential platform for both cultivating a presence and nurturing community connections. With platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook becoming key spaces for interaction and staying informed, colleges and universities must have a strong and consistent social presence to stay relevant. In this episode, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom discuss...

In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations , GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom discusses the realities of balancing motherhood and a demanding career with Letitia Clark , Chief Communications Officer at South Orange County Community College District , elected official, and author. Balancing children and a career may seem unachievable, but Letitia Clark unveils the secrets to harmonizing professional life...

In this month's episode, we sit down for a fascinating conversation with Jeff Bunch, a seasoned professional with a diverse background in journalism, marketing, and higher education. From being a storyteller at a young age to his pivotal role in managing the digital presence of Gonzaga University's basketball team, his journey and insights on integrating storytelling into marketing are s...

What's the best way to find a vendor vetted by other higher education organizations? Jeff Dillon, a former higher education professional turned entrepreneur, joins us on Higher Education Conversations to help answer that question. Jeff shares his journey from working in higher ed for over two decades to founding EdTech Connect, a crowd-sourced technology database designed to help colleges and...

"Be a resource, not just a request, and then build a relationship." says our guest, Mark Bayer, on connecting with elected officials and press members. Mark is an international keynote speaker, consultant, former Chief of Staff, and podcast host. His podcast, "When Science Speaks," aims to help scientists, engineers, and executives communicate their complex ideas effectively. I...

In this episode, I sit down with Brian Piper, a digital and content marketing expert who shares his transformative journey and explains how to leverage content marketing effectively. Brian emphasizes that content marketing is a strategy to cultivate lasting relationships with your audience rather than a quick sales pitch. We dive into the pivotal role of social media, with Brian urging marketers t...