The Higher Ed Marketer

Deep Gratitude for Troy Singer: Bart has an important announcement. Our beloved co-host Troy Singer is stepping into a new opportunity after nearly six years and almost 250 episodes of co-hosting The Higher Ed Marketer podcast. Bart and the entire team at The Higher Ed Marketer are beyond grateful for Troy and wish him the very best.  ___ Special Fan Favorite Episode: In this reply conversation, E...

What happens when a university website becomes a cluttered “junk drawer” instead of a clear, welcoming first impression? Paul Garner , Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at Western Carolina University , shares how his team transformed a confusing, overloaded website into a true digital front door that reflects the student experience and institutional story. This conversation unpack...

Drawing from their shared roots in journalism, Julia Ferrante and Rachel Colquitt reveal how storytelling, authenticity, and human connection are reshaping how institutions communicate, build trust, and inspire action in a rapidly changing landscape. Their conversation highlights how marketers can move beyond surface-level messaging to uncover deeper stories, create meaningful connections, and lea...

Vince Slomsk y, Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Brand at the University of South Florida , brings a journalist’s mindset to university marketing, blending storytelling, data, and video strategy to create content that resonates with modern audiences. From leveraging YouTube as a discovery engine to empowering students as creators, his approach challenges the traditional marketing playbook...

Enrollment decline rarely comes from a lack of effort. More often, it stems from misalignment. When marketing operates separately from enrollment strategy, even strong branding and storytelling can fail to move the needle. Live from the CCCU International Forum in Dallas, Stacey Berggren shares the candid journey of moving marketing under enrollment leadership at Northwest Nazarene University and...

A return home, a thriving enrollment team, and a bold vision for serving the Central Valley.  Amanda Slaughter   joins the podcast live from the CCCU International Forum to share why Fresno Pacific University   is leaning into its identity as its greatest enrollment advantage. At a time when many institutions are scrambling to chase new markets, Fresno Pacific is doubling down on mission, communit...

As college search behavior shifts under the weight of AI, generative search, and growing skepticism about traditional signals, one question keeps surfacing for higher ed leaders. Do rankings still matter? In this conversation, Nate Mouttet of U.S. News and World Report unpacks the evolution of college rankings, the methodology behind them, and why they continue to function as a powerful trust sign...

Higher education is filled with meaningful work, but too often the stories that bring it to life stay hidden behind silos, safe messaging, and internal complexity. Kristen Eaton , Interim Vice President of External Relations at the University of Maine at Augusta , joins the podcast to share what she has learned transitioning from nonprofit fundraising into higher ed leadership. Drawing on her back...

Terry Munday, former vice president for advancement at Indiana Wesleyan University, brings a candid and experience-driven perspective to the realities of fundraising and advancement leadership. Drawing from more than 35 years in higher education, Terry shares what he learned by sitting knee to knee with donors, navigating early career uncertainty, and building systems that sustained generosity ove...

Recorded live at the CCCU International Forum 2026 In this special episode, Zach Coffin sits down with Bart Caylor to dive into the heart of Bart’s brand-new book, Know What You Don't Know . They discuss why marketing literacy is no longer optional for the C-suite and how leaders can stop outsourcing judgment and start leading with curiosity. From the cautionary tale of a $1,200 keyword to reframi...

Big News: Bart’s new book “Know What You Don’t Know: What Every Higher Ed Leaders Needs to Understand About Marketing” releases Jan 30th.  ___ On today’s episode we are joined by Keith Ramsdell, the new president of the North American Coalition for Christian Admission Professionals (NACCAP ).  From mounting pressure and constant change to the growing importance of mission clarity and storytelling,...

Your website is not just a marketing asset, it is the front door to your institution. In this Season 8 premiere, Meaghan Milliorn shares how the University of Arkansas at Little Rock approached a massive website redesign with strategy, accessibility, and governance at the center. From reducing thousands of pages to aligning the site with institutional goals, this conversation offers a practical ro...

Season 8 of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast opens with encouragement for higher ed leaders entering a new year with both opportunity and uncertainty ahead. This season is grounded in the belief that progress does not require a perfect plan, only clarity, trust, and the willingness to move forward one step at a time. Through thoughtful conversations shaped by real leadership experience across higher...

As the year comes to a close, this short Christmas reflection offers a moment to slow down and take stock. Drawing from a familiar scene in A Charlie Brown Christmas, Zach Coffin reflects on fear, gratitude, and the tendency to hold tightly to control during demanding seasons of work and life. On behalf of Bart, Troy and the entire team at Caylor Solutions and The Higher Ed Marketer, we wish you a...

A nimble, strategy-driven marketing team is no longer a luxury in higher ed, it is a necessity. Dave Gladson shares how Point Loma Nazarene University transformed from a fragmented, decentralized model into a unified marketing structure that has dramatically increased enrollment impact, strengthened team culture, and empowered staff to work with greater autonomy. From shifting budget structures to...

Higher education is heading into one of the most pivotal seasons in decades, and the signals for 2026 are already here. In this special conversation, Bart Caylor steps into the guest seat as Troy Singer and Zach Coffin (VP, The Higher Ed Marketer) guide a candid, energetic deep dive into the headwinds reshaping higher ed. From cultural shifts and AI acceleration to leadership courage and marketing...

What does it look like to lead marketing and strategy at an institution that spans education, media, and publishing? Sam Choy of Moody Bible Institute shares how he’s navigating brand evolution, cross-departmental leadership, and institutional clarity in the context of a nearly century-old Christian brand. With experience in corporate marketing and international business, Sam brings a strategic le...

How do you lead with clarity when your work stretches across departments and expectations? Erick Klein , VP for Enrollment and Marketing at the University of Northwestern, St. Paul, shares the systems and habits that help him coach intentional teams, protect margin, and keep mission at the center. He explains how he builds alignment, develops young leaders, and strengthens trust across campus. If...

A short update from Zach Coffin sharing four important things happening inside The Higher Ed Marketer. ___ 4 Big Things Special Episode Dec 9th - Bart sits down with Troy and Zach to look into 2026 and what trends he sees coming in marketing in 2026. It’s not all AI. Caylor Solutions GenAI Masterclass for Teams: Bart and Zach have taken almost 2000 higher ed professions through this 6hr AI Masterc...

Every event tells a story, but only the most intentional ones help people feel your brand. At Biola University , Tracey Harrison , Vice President for Communications and Brand Marketing, is redefining what campus events can be through a framework called Eventful Branding. This philosophy turns events from logistical tasks into meaningful, mission-driven experiences that embody the heart of an insti...

How do you grow international enrollment in a world defined by volatility, technology and shifting global dynamics? Randy Byers, Vice President for International Affairs at Dallas Baptist University, brings over 20 years of global education leadership to unpack what it takes to build sustainable, ethical, and agile international recruitment strategies. In this wide-ranging conversation, Randy shar...

With rising competition and shrinking budgets, small colleges can feel squeezed out of the higher ed conversation. But Tom Kook , Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing at Emmaus University , shares how thinking small can actually be a strategic advantage. From mission-first messaging to building nimble teams that punch above their weight, Tom unpacks how smaller institutions can thrive witho...

Does your institution have a unique niche like Ringling College of Art and Design ? For Dr. John Chopka, standing out in a niche starts with listening, builds on trust, and is fueled by storytelling. With more than 35 years of enrollment experience, Dr. Chopka shares practical strategies for recruiting in niche markets, managing institutional change, and creating momentum without losing mission. F...

Artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education and each generation is approaching it differently. NYU’s Conor Grennan , alongside his Gen Z son, Finn , explores how AI is influencing academic integrity, workforce readiness, and the way students engage with learning. Rather than approaching AI with fear or hype, Conor calls institutions to engage with it from a place of curiosity, conviction...

Higher ed is under pressure, and the clock is ticking for leaders to make bold, strategic moves. In this episode, Dr. Jamie Caridi shares how he helped Bethany College overcome deep financial challenges, rebuild trust, and launch a high-impact strategic plan. From reaching economic equilibrium to forming unexpected partnerships, Caridi unpacks a leadership playbook grounded in clarity, innovation,...