Higher Ed Pulse

In the 5th and final part of this Pulse Check series on International Recruiting, guest Karin Fischer, a senior writer on international education at The Chronicle of Higher Education, offers an expert perspective on the challenges and solutions for recruiting international students to American higher education institutions.  Takeaways: Colleges and universities have had to reevaluate the value and...

“I love networking and making small talk with strangers,” said no one ever.  Mallory and Seth dive into the vital role of networking, exploring strategies for building meaningful connections both online and in-person. Learn practical tips on how to expand your professional network, the importance of community in conferences, and how to maintain and nurture these relationships for career growth. Ke...

Dayana Kibilds gives her personal and professional perspectives on navigating international recruitment. As a former international student and staff, and now advising institutions on best practices in enrollment marketing, Dayana provides insightful takeaways, including: The importance of clear and accessible information on application requirements for international students. A need for better, mo...

Join Mallory and Seth as they discuss the recent trend of rapid presidential turnover in higher education and its implications for marketing and communications teams. With half the Ivy League experiencing leadership changes and shorter tenures becoming the norm, this episode explores why this is happening and offers actionable advice for marketers facing these transitions. Discover how to align wi...

In this Bonus announcement, join Mallory, Chief Strategist of Enrollify, as she introduces the newly relaunched  Enrollify.org . This episode highlights the fresh features and content now available on the site, emphasizing Enrollify’s commitment to revolutionizing higher education. Learn about the variety of resources—from podcasts to ourses to webinars—that can help professionals make impactful c...

In Part 3 of this Pulse Check series on International Recruiting, guest Ruby Nagashima gives listeners an inside look into what makes Soka University a destination institution for international students.  Takeaways: Being intentional and mission-driven are key to international student recruitment and success. Soka’s inclusive culture, financial aid, and student engagement contribute to a unique an...

Mallory and Seth dive into the significance of personal branding, especially in today's volatile job market. They share personal stories and actionable advice on how to build and maintain a personal brand that stands out. From leveraging LinkedIn to the power of newsletters and speaking engagements, this episode is packed with tips for higher ed professionals at any stage of their career. Key Take...

In Part 2 of this Pulse Check series on International Recruiting, guest host Kin Sejpal is joined by Cynthia Chilton, an expert in international marketing, to discuss her experience marketing to international students at higher education institutions like Pepperdine and Westcliff.  Key takeaways include: Understanding the target market and cultural differences is crucial in international marketing...

In this episode of The Pulse, Mallory and Seth dive into the controversial topic of cutting degree programs to address budget shortfalls and declining enrollments. They explore the recent example of St. Cloud State University, which is planning to cut 46 degree programs and reduce faculty by 13%. Seth offers a contrarian view, suggesting that strategic program cuts can actually drive growth by rea...

Welcome to Part 1 of this new Pulse Check series on International Recruiting. Join guest host Kin Sejpal as she is joined by Clay Hensley, a seasoned international education expert with 20+ experience with the College Board, to discuss key trends in international recruitment and education. In this episode you will learn about: Current international student mobility trends Importance of localizatio...

In this final part of our Pulse Check series on Leadership in Higher Ed, listeners can get a sense of why collaboration matters in marketing and strategies to help build collaboration with their own teams. Additionally, listeners will learn where are smart places to begin collaboration and how to approach that with intentionality. Finally, leaders will learn strategies for managing critics and how...

Hosts Mallory and Seth dive into the complexities surrounding the 2024 FAFSA fiasco and its impact on enrollment. They discuss how institutions can adapt their strategies to support students during this chaotic time and share practical tips for enrollment marketing professionals. Tune in for insights on personalizing communication, extending deadlines, and leveraging marketing techniques to naviga...

In this episode, listeners will learn more about managing the MarComm budget. From building partnerships to taking advantage of one-time monies, Kate Ledger shares how to maximize the budget for MarComm efforts. Finally, she’ll debunk the notion that creatives can’t do budgets and share strategies to help learn this important part of the CMO role.  Guest Name: Kate Ledger, ODU Global   Guest Socia...

In this unique episode of the Pulse, hosts Mallory and Seth examine the pressing issues of burnout and self-care among higher education professionals. They share personal stories and insights on managing work-life integration, navigating professional pressures, and the importance of taking meaningful breaks. The conversation underscores the necessity of prioritizing wellness and self-care in the d...

In this third part of our Pulse Check series on leadership in higher education, listeners will get an honest and candid understanding of something not talked about enough with future leaders – tough conversations. As someone who naturally wants to avoid conflict, Rebekah shares how she mentally prepares to have a tough conversation and how to begin these conversations with shared understanding. Fi...

Hosts Mallory and Seth explore the shifts in graduate education amidst the challenges of undergraduate enrollment pressures. As higher ed institutions pivot toward expanding graduate offerings, this conversation dives into the financial motives, the competitive landscape, and innovative strategies for attracting and retaining graduate students. Featuring insights from the NAGAP GEM Summit and pers...

In Part 2 of this Pulse Check series on leadership, emerging leaders can learn about creating culture and setting vision at our institutions as Dr. Gann shares practical experiences from his own background, discusses strategies for setting culture and talks about how interconnected systems impact our work. Whether you’re a new leader or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you in your work to se...

Lesley Mackey, a young professional stepping into a new graduate student recruiter role at Fort Hays State University, chats with the Pulse at the NAGAP Summit in Louisville. Fresh from his first trip to Hawaii, Les shares his journey as a new GEM professional, highlighting the unique challenges and breakthroughs of his new role in graduate recruitment.  Key Takeaways Role Exploration: Les discuss...

Recorded at the NAGAP GEM Summit, Mallory chats with Spenser Smith, Director of Admissions for Graduate Business Programs at Haslam College of Business, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Spenser shares his insights on navigating the complexities of admissions in a post-affirmative action world, and introduces us to the innovative, holistic admissions process designed to foster diversity and incl...

Live at the NAGAP GEM Summit, Mallory sits down with Ryan Taughrin, Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management at the University at Buffalo's Graduate School of Education. Ryan shares his experiences and challenges of being a millennial manager, especially navigating the abrupt transition to remote work at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He discusses his approach to leadership, emphasizing flexi...

Dr. Chris Lewis, Director of Graduate Programs at the University of Michigan, Flint, joins Mallory Willsea live from the NAGAP GEM Summit. They dive into the impact and insights from Dr. Lewis's extensive podcasting experience, both personally and professionally. With a focus on enhancing student engagement and recruitment, Dr. Lewis shares how his podcast, 'Victors in Grad School,' has become a s...

Hosts Mallory and Seth tackle the critical and complex challenges facing faith-based institutions, particularly Christian colleges. With a special focus on the startling rate of institutional closures, the discussion dives into the shifting landscapes of enrollment, market demands, and religious affiliation. Key Takeaways: Enrollment Trends: Christian colleges are facing a notable decline in enrol...

Brett DiMarzo, the Director of Graduate Enrollment Digital Strategy at Boston College, shares his extensive experience and unique strategies in enhancing digital engagement across various graduate programs. From leveraging advanced digital tools to crafting personalized communication across multiple platforms, Brett dives into the intricacies of creating a cohesive digital presence that caters to...

Lauren McGowan, the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Enrollment at the University at Buffalo's School of Social Work, sits down with Mallory at NAGAP. Fresh from her recent promotion, Lauren shares her journey from Director of Recruitment and Admissions to her current role, emphasizing the diverse skill sets needed in higher education leadership, from student recruitment to budget management. She...

Live from the NAGAP conference in Louisville, Mallory sits down with Tony Fraga, CEO of DD Agency, to discuss the transformative strategies in graduate enrollment marketing. Celebrating 40 years in business, Tony offers a seasoned perspective on navigating the complexities of higher education marketing, from evolving digital strategies to smart resource allocation. Tony shares how the agency assis...