The Higher Ed Marketer

Generating ownable brand ideas can spark from unique qualities hidden in plain sight — not taking the little things for granted. What may seem like an odd quirk could set your university apart. Strangers with experience can get the conversation started and completely transform your school's brand. We’re chatting with Brian MacDonald, the co-founder & CCO at Zillion . After working with big con...

On November 30th, 2022, ChatGPT changed the world. Just months before, Dave Hunt , Director of Digital Marketing Communications and Creative Director at Old Dominion University , had been developing a large-scale email marketing campaign at another university. Dave discovered that the months of work that went into creating it could all be done in minutes now. It hooked him into looking at how to u...

The enrollment cliff is real, and it will be here before you know it. If small and medium-sized higher ed institutions want to survive this drastic dropoff in traditional-aged college students, marketing teams will need to prove their brands’ value. For the introductory episode in our weekly review series of Bart Caylor’s book, Chasing Mission Fit , we’re joined by Chris Rapozo , Marketing Special...

Higher education has been known for its slower pace of adoption and for often resisting change. With approaching headwinds, including the enrollment cliff, disruption of generative AI, the negative public perception of higher ed, and competition with outside players (Google, Amazon, etc.), it is more critical than ever to lean into the mission-fit marketing.    That’s why many institutions are tur...

Personalized AI chatbots used to be a muse for science fiction writers. But with the rapid rise of these sophisticated AI tools, the possibilities for how these bots can augment the prospective student journey seem endless. You can certainly hear the enthusiasm in the voice of Ardis Kadiu , the founder and CEO of Element451 , as he talks about the capabilities of these futuristic assistants. Ardis...

It’s time for schools to embrace the big, audacious goals and put together a strategy to accomplish them.  That’s what the University of Kentucky did. They’re implementing programs that will advance student success at their institution.  It’s never too late to go for the challenge. We’re talking to Kirsten Turner, the Vice President of Student Success at the University of Kentucky . Through partne...

Teaching critical thinking is the first step to media literacy in the digital age. With varying perspectives, social channels, media outlets, and technological advancements knocking at our door every day, we have to remember the bigger picture. Being able to have challenging conversations with people with opposing views and critically analyze information allows us to grow as marketers. Joining our...

When was the last time you were at a college fair and students immediately walked away after seeing your price tag? It’s time to be transparent, intentional, and communicative about available resources. We’re challenging misconceptions and unlocking the value and opportunity of higher ed. Getting the ball rolling is Ken Sigler , the Director of Enrollment Management at Mount Carmel College of Nurs...

Higher Ed marketing is not one size fits all. Each institution is unique and can’t be all things for all people. Finding what consistently works for your brand and sticking to it is crucial to brand growth. The first steps towards success are removing personal bias, having a goal, and understanding that it requires investment. Jay Rathell , Senior Media Buyer for Yamaro83 , gets our conversation s...

It’s hard to ask for help.  Putting pride aside and leaning on others to enhance your knowledge is nothing to be ashamed of in the realm of higher education. Collaboration, shaking things up, and attempting different strategies can create waves and allow you to think differently. With over 35 years of experience in higher ed marketing, Bart Caylor , the Founder of Caylor Solutions , is launching h...

The admissions process can get stuck in an endless loop of application deadlines, essays, and transcripts. By investing in “radical hospitality” and focusing on relationship-building with students, admissions teams can discover the clearest path possible. Acting intentionally to show students they matter is key to unlocking their true career path. Hopping on the podcast today is John McGreal , the...

Customer service often takes a back seat in the process of higher ed recruitment.  Every interaction with a prospective student is crucial to how they view your institution. This means staying up-to-date, trying new tactics, and being intentional about your customer service philosophy. Above all else, consistency is key to maintaining mindful and constructive interactions.  Getting our conversatio...

Are you utilizing all the tools in your toolbox? Thinking bigger, more interactive, and focusing on fueling engagement is within reach. By learning with AI, your college or university’s fundraising campaigns can be crafted and completed much faster and even at the click of a button.  We get the AI ball rolling with Josh Kligman , the Co-founder and CEO of Storyraise . Josh is a big proponent of sp...

Making higher education accessible to all is big as we approach the enrollment cliff. Identifying the needs of all prospective students and really asking the ‘why’ makes Gen Z feel seen and heard. It’s time to tailor your marketing strategy to meet the needs of the next generation. We’re getting the conversation started with Spenser Smith , the Director of Admissions for Graduate Business Programs...

Telling the authentic transformative stories of students and staff on your campus helps foster real emotional connections. Without forming a genuine connection with your prospective students, they may see right through you. Stories are everything – it’s time to show the impact your university has had on those in your community. Documentary storyteller Ryan Koral , the Founder of Enroll Films , get...

Different generations are beginning to have an increase in educational influence. Having a marketing strategy that can adapt but be intentional when helping non-traditional students is key. With information expected to be accessible at the click of a button, how can your institution firmly support these prospective learners with potentially limited marketing resources? Brad Entwistle, Founding Par...

The higher education experience is changing. With attention spans shifting and life getting in the way, institutions need to adapt. Now more than ever, learning needs to be functional for the nontraditional student. Getting the conversation started is Troy Brown , the VP and Director of Recruitment and Enrollment at the University of West Los Angeles . As the new Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, Equi...

Welcome to the Gold Rush era of artificial intelligence. AI is integrating more and more into the world of higher education and everyone is hoping for their morsel of success.   It’s crucial now more than ever to begin educating yourself on the world of AI. Push off your studying and you may be left in the dust. This unique episode brings two guests, Andrew Cassel and Brian Piper , for an AI round...

If someone asked you to define your institution’s “Why,” could you? When was the last time you really looked through your brand guide to ensure you were sticking to the mission? Are all your ducks really in a row? DJ Menifee , Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing, Communications and Retention at Bradley University , joined us to talk about why schools need to assess their assets. DJ, an avid sn...

There are always opportunities to learn in the higher ed marketing space. But there are also opportunities to teach. Higher education tends to move slowly, and with everything around us evolving quickly, we need to approach change as a team. We’re digging deep into collaborative change with Susan Kassab , Consulting Director at  focusEDU . One-on-one conversations and mutual understanding are at t...

As the saying goes, “Change is a part of life.” The same can be said for higher ed online classroom resources. How can schools meet the needs of students in the ever-advancing remote learning space? It’s time for colleges and universities to work for students. That’s why we’re talking to Sarah McMaster , Executive Director of Marketing & Enrollment Management at Champlain College Online . With...

Is your college or university's content engine struggling to chug down the track? Do you often find yourself scrambling to find where your next piece of marketable content will come from? It’s time to utilize what's right in front of you. That’s why we’re talking to John Azoni , Owner and Executive Producer at Unveild.tv John is big on getting on the ground with students and finding stories to bui...

Step right up as we unpack the U.S World News College & University Rankings. There’s methodology, there’s branding, but how does it all work together, and what other factors affect your school’s ranking? We’re talking to Adam Stoltz , Director of Enrollment Marketing at the University of Idaho . Adam wrote his dissertation on the U.S News and World Report’s Rankings subject, expanding on its h...

Higher education is not one size fits all. Markers need to wade into the data and demographics and focus on creating an intentional message for their target audience. That’s why we’re talking to Shane Baglini , Senior Director of Marketing Recruitment at Muhlenberg College . A dynamic higher ed marketer, Shane has a passion for authentic storytelling. In this episode, we delve into the importance...

Authenticity has taken a front seat in higher ed marketing. Branding your institution authentically is a big key to success, and it starts with improving the employee experience. That’s why we’re talking to Eddie Francis , Founder of Edify Ventures . With a diverse experience in various industries, Eddie holds firm that being valued matters. In this episode, we dive into the mechanics of employee...