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January 24, 2025 27 mins

The Future of Higher Education Marketing: Trends, Challenges, and Innovations

In this episode we explore the evolving landscape of higher education marketing. Discover how universities can thrive by addressing student engagement crises, leveraging technology like AI and student engagement software, and implementing SEO strategies. 

We also delve into the importance of personalization, transparency, financial sustainability, and the growing role of student agency in shaping the future of education. 

Join us as we discuss the potential of immersive virtual experiences, the impact of scholarships, and the evolving role of faculty in this rapidly changing environment.

00:00 Introduction to the Future of Higher Education Marketing
00:24 The Student Engagement Crisis
01:46 Solutions: Student Engagement Software
02:44 SEO and Targeted Marketing Strategies
04:22 The Role of Politics in Student Choices
05:32 Personalization and Data Analytics in Higher Ed
06:07 The Rise of AI and Authenticity in Marketing
07:22 Immersive Virtual Experiences
07:56 Addressing College Costs and ROI
12:23 The Evolving Role of Faculty
14:59 The Power of Scholarships
15:26 Financial Sustainability of Universities
16:00 Innovative Revenue Streams
17:21 Student Agency in Higher Education
17:53 Empowering Students as Co-Creators
19:54 Authenticity and Transparency in Education
21:18 The Future of Higher Education
25:15 Human Connection in Education
26:17 Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action

Learn more about the Higher Education Marketing Institute:

  • Website: https://highereducationmarketinginstitute.com/
  • X: https://x.com/HEMInstitute
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/higher-education-marketing-institute/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HigherEducationMarketing
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Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jill (00:00):
Welcome to the Deep Dive.
Today, we're going to be, uh,taking a deep dive into the
future of higher educationmarketing.
Right.
We've got articles, blog posts,we've even got some student
surveys.
Wow.
Really trying to get a handle onhow universities can thrive, not
just survive.
Right.
In this crazy digital age.

Jack (00:19):
Yeah, it's a, it's a fascinating landscape, really
is.
It is.
A lot of opportunities andchallenges out there.

Jill (00:24):
It is, and one of the biggest challenges I saw in all
this research is this idea of astudent engagement crisis.
We've got these bustlingcampuses, tons of activities,
but underneath it all, a lot ofstudents are struggling with
loneliness.
They're feeling lost.

Jack (00:40):
Yeah, it's almost counterintuitive, isn't it?
Right.
You think, you know, you've gotthis bustling campus life, but
the reality is a lot of studentsare struggling.

Jill (00:47):
They are and and the data shows it.

Jack (00:50):
Yeah.

Jill (00:50):
Um, and it's not really that surprising when you think
about all the pressures thatstudents are facing these days,
you know, just the academicdemands are so high.

Jack (00:58):
Absolutely.
And you've got the digitaldistractions.
Yes.
You know, the constantbombardment of information and
social media.
Yeah.
It's a lot to handle.

Jill (01:06):
It's a lot, and then on top of that, You've got, you
know, the pressure of findingtheir place in the world.
Right.
Figuring out, like, who am I?
Exactly.
What do I want to do with mylife?

Jack (01:18):
Yeah.

Jill (01:18):
All of that adds up to make it harder than ever to
really connect.

Jack (01:22):
It does.

Jill (01:23):
And feel that sense of belonging.
Yeah,

Jack (01:26):
and that lack of connection.
Um, you know, it's not justabout feeling sad or lonely, it
has real consequences.

Jill (01:34):
It does.

Jack (01:35):
Lower engagement leads to lower student satisfaction,
lower retention rates, and itcan even impact academic
performance.

Jill (01:42):
It really can.
So, so what are universitiesdoing about this?

Jack (01:46):
Well, one of the most promising solutions we're seeing
is this rise of studentengagement software.

Jill (01:51):
Okay.

Jack (01:52):
And these platforms, what they're doing is they're using
technology to create morepersonalized and engaging
experiences for students.

Jill (01:59):
So it's like a, like a virtual guide throughout their
college journey.

Jack (02:03):
That's a great way to put it.
Yeah, it's like having acompanion along the way.

Jill (02:06):
I like that.
So give me an example, like whatdoes that look like in practice?

Jack (02:09):
Okay, so imagine A software platform that creates
like a virtual road map for eachstudent.

Jill (02:18):
Okay.

Jack (02:19):
Right.
So from the moment they enroll,they have a clear path laid out.
Got

Jill (02:23):
it.

Jack (02:23):
With milestones, achievements, support systems
built right in.

Jill (02:26):
So it's breaking down this often really overwhelming
college experience intomanageable steps, giving them a
sense of direction.

Jack (02:34):
Right.
Because a lot of times studentsfeel lost.

Jill (02:37):
Yeah.

Jack (02:37):
Right.
They don't know where to go.
Yeah.
Who to talk to.

Jill (02:39):
Absolutely.

Jack (02:40):
Um, this kind of software can really help with that.

Jill (02:42):
That's cool.
I like that.
So that's, that's studentengagement, but how do you even
get students in the door in thefirst place?
I mean, that's where marketingcomes in.

Jack (02:50):
Absolutely.
Yeah.
And one of the key takeawaysfrom, from all this research is
that SEO, SEO, search engineoptimization, it's more
important than ever for highereducation.

Jill (03:00):
Okay.

Jack (03:01):
But it's not just about using generic keywords anymore.
Universities really need to getlaser focused on understanding
exactly What their targetstudents are searching for
online.

Jill (03:13):
So instead of just targeting college degree, you
need to be thinking aboutspecific programs, even
geographic locations.

Jack (03:22):
Absolutely.

Jill (03:23):
So like, best online master's program for data
science in California.

Jack (03:28):
Yeah.
Yeah, exactly.
I

Jill (03:30):
got it.

Jack (03:30):
Those are what we call long tail keywords.

Jill (03:32):
Long tail keywords.

Jack (03:33):
And they're incredibly powerful for attracting the
right kind of students to yourprograms.

Jill (03:37):
Makes sense.
It's speaking their language.

Jack (03:40):
It is.

Jill (03:40):
Meeting them where they're already searching.

Jack (03:42):
Exactly.

Jill (03:43):
And, you know, one of our sources.
Search influence.
They actually offer an SEOroadmap.
Oh, wow.
Specifically for universities.
That's cool.
And they talk about theimportance of regular content
updates.
Right.
Social media integration forlong term success.

Jack (03:58):
That's like tending a garden.
You can't just plant the seedsand walk away.

Jill (04:01):
Exactly.
You got to

Jack (04:03):
nurture it, you know.

Jill (04:04):
Yeah.

Jack (04:05):
Provide constant care and attention.

Jill (04:07):
It's a good analogy.
I like that.

Jack (04:08):
It highlights a key shift in higher ed marketing.
It's not just about building awebsite.
Right.
And waiting for students to cometo you.
You got to be out there.
Yeah.
Creating valuable content,engaging on social media.
Be

Jill (04:20):
proactive.

Jack (04:20):
Be proactive, exactly.

Jill (04:22):
But it's not just academics that are influencing
student choices these days.
Politics are playing a biggerrole than ever before.

Jack (04:28):
Yeah, absolutely.
Students are looking beyond justthe academics.

Jill (04:32):
Okay.

Jack (04:32):
They're considering the political climate of a campus.

Jill (04:36):
Interesting.

Jack (04:36):
You know, factors like political ideology, affirmative
action policies, even theoverall vibe and culture of the
place.

Jill (04:43):
That makes sense.
I mean, these things can be dealbreakers for some students.

Jack (04:47):
They can be.
It's a complex issue.

Jill (04:49):
It is.

Jack (04:50):
With no easy answers.

Jill (04:51):
Yeah.

Jack (04:52):
I mean, some people think colleges should be actively
shaping the campus climate.

Jill (04:57):
Okay.

Jack (04:57):
To promote certain values, you know?

Jill (04:59):
Yeah.

Jack (05:00):
Others argue for neutrality, fostering
intellectual diversity.

Jill (05:03):
That's a tough one.
So, where do you land on this?

Jack (05:06):
Well, I think it's less about taking sides and more
about being transparent.
Okay.
Students deserve to know whatthey're getting into.

Jill (05:13):
Right.

Jack (05:13):
Institutions need to be upfront about their values and
the kind of environment they'refostering.

Jill (05:19):
So transparency is key.

Jack (05:21):
Absolutely.

Jill (05:22):
All right.
So let's shift gears a littlebit and talk about some of these
marketing trends that areshaping the future of higher ed.
Okay.
One that kept coming up in theresearch was this idea of.
A personalization renaissance,where it's all about tailoring
the student experience.

Jack (05:39):
Yeah, we're seeing a lot of innovative applications of
data analytics.
Okay.
You know, think about it.
Universities have a wealth ofinformation about their
students.
They do.
Their academic interests, theircareer aspirations.
Yep.
Even their preferred learningstyles.
Wow.
By leveraging this data, theycan create hyper personalized
messages and content.

Jill (05:59):
So it's not just about sending out generic emails or
brochures anymore?

Jack (06:03):
Nope.
It's about tailoring the messageto each individual student.

Jill (06:07):
I like that.
And AI is playing a huge role inthis, isn't it?

Jack (06:10):
Huge role.
Absolutely.
Then

Jill (06:11):
you can think about AI powered chatbots.

Jack (06:13):
Right.

Jill (06:14):
That can instantly answer student questions.

Jack (06:16):
Predictive analytics to anticipate enrollment trends.
Yeah.
You can even have personalizedlearning paths that adapt to
each student's needs.

Jill (06:23):
That's amazing.
It's like having a customdesigned education.

Jack (06:27):
It's getting there.
It really is.

Jill (06:28):
It is.
But, in a world of AI andalgorithms, what happens to the
human touch?
I mean, do students even wantthat anymore?

Jack (06:36):
That's a great question.
And it leads us to another keytrend.

Jill (06:38):
Okay.

Jack (06:39):
Which is this emphasis on authenticity and transparency.

Jill (06:44):
Interesting.
You

Jack (06:44):
know, in this digital age, students are bombarded with
marketing messages.
Right.
They can spot a fake a mileaway.

Jill (06:51):
Yeah.

Jack (06:52):
What they crave are real life insights.
Not glossy brochures.

Jill (06:56):
So what does that look like in practice?

Jack (06:58):
So think about showcasing real student stories.
Authentic campus experiences.
Genuine student outcomes.

Jill (07:06):
I see.

Jack (07:06):
Let prospective students hear from current students and
alumni.
Let them see what life is reallylike on campus.

Jill (07:12):
Got it.

Jack (07:13):
And understand the real world impact of a degree from
your institution.

Jill (07:17):
It's about showing, not just telling.

Jack (07:20):
Exactly.

Jill (07:21):
I like it.
All right.
And then one more trend thatreally stood out to me was this
whole idea of immersive virtualexperiences.
Oh,

Jack (07:28):
yeah.
VR and AR are going mainstreamin higher ed.

Jill (07:31):
I've been hearing about this.
So like virtual campus tours.

Jack (07:34):
Exactly.

Jill (07:35):
Yeah.

Jack (07:36):
Imagine experiencing a college campus from anywhere in
the world.

Jill (07:41):
Wow.

Jack (07:41):
You can walk through the quad peek inside classrooms

Jill (07:44):
and That's incredible.
Even

Jack (07:45):
attend a virtual lecture.

Jill (07:48):
That's wild.
It feels like we're on the vergeof a whole new era.

Jack (07:51):
It really does.
Of

Jill (07:52):
higher ed marketing.
Oh.
But before we get too carriedaway with all the shiny tech,

Jack (07:56):
right.

Jill (07:56):
We gotta talk about money.

Jack (07:57):
Yeah.
I

Jill (07:58):
mean, students are increasingly worried about the
cost of college.

Jack (08:00):
Absolutely.

Jill (08:01):
And frankly, whether it's even worth it.

Jack (08:03):
Yeah.
One of our sources had thisstartling statistic.
93 percent of prospectivestudents

Jill (08:08):
93 percent

Jack (08:09):
are stressed about college costs.

Jill (08:11):
Wow.

Jack (08:12):
And many of them are even questioning

Jill (08:14):
Yeah.

Jack (08:14):
whether a college degree is worth the time, money, and
effort.

Jill (08:18):
So it's not just about the sticker price anymore.
Nope.
It's about the perceived value.

Jack (08:22):
Exactly.
Students are asking toughquestions.

Jill (08:25):
Yeah.

Jack (08:25):
Will this degree lead to a good job?
Right.
Will I be able to pay off mystudent loans?
Makes

Jill (08:31):
sense.
Is

Jack (08:31):
this the right investment for my future?

Jill (08:34):
Yeah, so how should colleges respond to that?

Jack (08:37):
Transparency is key.

Jill (08:38):
Okay.

Jack (08:39):
They need to be upfront and clear about the total cost
of attendance.

Jill (08:44):
Got it.

Jack (08:45):
Demystify the financial aid process.

Jill (08:47):
Yep.

Jack (08:48):
Give students the tools to make informed decisions.

Jill (08:50):
So no more hiding the real costs or burying students in
paperwork.

Jack (08:54):
Exactly.

Jill (08:55):
And it's not just about financial aid, right?
Right.
It's also about demonstratingthat return on investment.

Jack (09:00):
Yes, absolutely.
Show them the data.

Jill (09:02):
Yeah.

Jack (09:02):
Here's where our graduates are working.

Jill (09:04):
Yep.

Jack (09:04):
Here are their salaries give

Jill (09:06):
them the concrete examples

Jack (09:07):
given the real world outcomes

Jill (09:09):
It's about painting a clear picture.
It

Jack (09:11):
is

Jill (09:12):
of the potential outcomes Not just saying you'll get a
good job,

Jack (09:16):
right

Jill (09:16):
but actually showing them

Jack (09:18):
showing them what's possible Yeah, what it looks
like in reality.

Jill (09:21):
I like it Well, we've covered a lot of ground.

Jack (09:23):
We have.
In this

Jill (09:24):
deep dive into the world of higher ed marketing.

Jack (09:26):
Yeah, it's fascinating stuff.
We've

Jill (09:28):
explored the challenges.

Jack (09:29):
Opportunities.
And

Jill (09:30):
the trends.

Jack (09:31):
That are shaping the future of education.

Jill (09:33):
Absolutely, yeah.
It feels like we're witnessing aseismic shift, you know.

Jack (09:38):
Yeah, it's exciting, but it's also a bit daunting, right?
I mean, how did theseInstitutions, many of which are
steeped in tradition.
Right.
How do they adapt to such arapidly changing landscape?

Jill (09:50):
It's a, it's a real challenge, but one thing that
came through loud and clear inthese sources

Jack (09:54):
Okay.

Jill (09:55):
Is that there's a, a real hunger for innovation in higher
ed.

Jack (09:59):
Interesting.

Jill (10:00):
Universities are starting to recognize that embracing
technology, data drivenstrategies Yeah.
And this new way ofcommunicating with students,
it's it's not just an optionanymore, it's essential for
survival.
So it's not about, you know,jumping on the latest trends
just for the sake of it.
It's about really using thesetools to enhance the student

(10:22):
experience.

Jack (10:23):
Exactly.
Yeah, the goal is not just toattract more students, but to
attract the right students andthen to give them the support
they need.
To thrive.

Jill (10:32):
Absolutely.
It's

Jack (10:33):
about setting them up for success.
Yeah.
Both during their college yearsand in their future careers.

Jill (10:38):
That makes a lot of sense.
And, and, you know, we talkedabout a lot of these exciting
new tools, you know.

Jack (10:43):
Yeah.

Jill (10:43):
Personalized learning, AI chatbots, even virtual reality
campus tours.

Jack (10:48):
Yeah, it's, it's amazing stuff.

Jill (10:50):
It is amazing.
But are there any downsides toall this tech?
I mean.

Jack (10:55):
That's a great question, and I think it's crucial to
approach these new technologieswith a critical eye.
For example, you know, whilepersonalization can be
incredibly effective, there arevalid concerns about student
privacy and data security.

Jill (11:12):
Yeah, that makes sense.

Jack (11:13):
Universities need to be incredibly transparent about how
they're collecting and usingstudent data.

Jill (11:17):
Right.

Jack (11:18):
Ensuring that it's done efficiently.
Ethically and responsibly.

Jill (11:20):
So it's, it's like walking a tightrope almost.

Jack (11:23):
It is.

Jill (11:24):
Between creating a personalized experience, but
also respecting student privacy.
Exactly.
It's a tough balance.

Jack (11:30):
It is.
And, you know, even when itcomes to AI.

Jill (11:33):
Yeah.

Jack (11:33):
We have to be careful about assuming that it can fully
replace the human element.
Right.
While chatbots are great forquick answers.
Sure.
Students still crave thatnuanced guidance and mentorship

Jill (11:46):
that can

Jack (11:47):
really only come from real people.

Jill (11:49):
It's that human connection, isn't it?

Jack (11:51):
It is, yeah.
At the end of the day, we'redealing with real people with
real hopes and dreams.

Jill (11:56):
That's right.
We can't forget that.

Jack (11:58):
And that's where the authenticity and transparency we
talked about earlier becomes socrucial.
You know, students need to seethe real people behind the
institution, hear genuinestories from their peers, and
feel confident that they'regetting an honest picture of
what it's like to be part ofthat community.

Jill (12:16):
It's about building trust.

Jack (12:18):
It is.

Jill (12:19):
Which can be hard to do in a digital world.

Jack (12:21):
Absolutely.
And one thing we haven't reallytouched on much is, is the role
of faculty in all this?

Jill (12:27):
Yeah, that's a good point.
I mean, with all these newtechnologies, these new teaching
methods, it seems like the roleof the educator is evolving as
well.

Jack (12:35):
It is.
Faculty need to be comfortableusing online platforms, engaging
with students in virtualenvironments,

Jill (12:43):
even

Jack (12:43):
incorporating data analytics into their teaching.

Jill (12:45):
It's a whole new way of thinking about teaching and
learning, isn't it?

Jack (12:49):
It is.
It's, it's a new pedagogy.

Jill (12:51):
Yeah, and it's, it's not just about the technical skills
either.

Jack (12:55):
Right.

Jill (12:55):
It's about creating a sense of community and
connection.

Jack (12:58):
Yeah.

Jill (12:58):
Even in these new learning environments.

Jack (13:00):
Exactly.
Faculty play a vital role.
In fostering a welcoming andinclusive atmosphere.

Jill (13:06):
Absolutely.
Whether

Jack (13:06):
it's a physical classroom or a virtual one, right.
Building relationships andmaking students feel supported
is key.

Jill (13:13):
That's so important, but let's be honest, not every
professor is gonna be thrilledabout these changes.

Jack (13:19):
Oh, absolutely not.

Jill (13:20):
I mean, some are.
Probably pretty attached totraditional teaching methods.

Jack (13:24):
Right.
Change can be difficult.
Yeah.
And there will likely be someresistance.
Sure.
That's why it's, it's so vitalfor universities to provide
support and training.

Jill (13:33):
Yeah.

Jack (13:33):
To help faculty adapt.

Jill (13:35):
Okay.
And

Jack (13:36):
embrace these new technologies.

Jill (13:37):
Meet them where they are.

Jack (13:38):
Meet them where they are, exactly.
Give them

Jill (13:40):
the resources.

Jack (13:40):
Give them the resources to succeed.

Jill (13:42):
That's key.
And it's, it's not just aboutfaculty either, right?
It seems like everyone acrossthe institution needs to be on
board for this to really work.

Jack (13:52):
Absolutely.
From admissions and financialaid.
Yeah.
Student support services, alumnirelations.

Jill (13:58):
Right.

Jack (13:59):
Every department plays a role in shaping the student
experience.

Jill (14:03):
It's true.

Jack (14:03):
A cohesive and integrated approach across the entire
university.

Jill (14:08):
I like that.

Jack (14:08):
Is essential.

Jill (14:09):
Like a, like a well oiled machine.
Yes.
Where every part is workingtogether smoothly.

Jack (14:13):
Precisely.
Yeah.
And that requires clearcommunication, collaboration,
and a shared commitment.

Jill (14:19):
Okay.

Jack (14:20):
To student success across all levels.

Jill (14:23):
I like that.
You know, one of our sourcesmentioned scholarship promotion
as a marketing tool and it gotme thinking, are scholarships
just a way to lure students in?

Jack (14:33):
Right.

Jill (14:33):
Or can they be something more?

Jack (14:36):
That's a, that's an interesting question.

Jill (14:38):
Yeah.

Jack (14:39):
While scholarships can certainly attract students.
They can also be a powerful toolfor promoting access and

Jill (14:46):
affordability.

Jack (14:48):
Universities can use scholarships strategically to
target specific demographics.

Jill (14:52):
Got it.

Jack (14:53):
Like first generation students or those from
underrepresented backgrounds.

Jill (14:57):
Okay.
It

Jack (14:57):
helps level the playing field.
Yeah.
And create a more diverse andinclusive student body.

Jill (15:02):
So it's, it's not just about giving money away.
Right.
It's about using scholarshipsintentionally to achieve
specific goals.

Jack (15:09):
Exactly.
And think about the impact onthe students themselves.

Jill (15:12):
Yeah.

Jack (15:13):
Receiving a scholarship, it's not just about the
financial assistance.

Jill (15:16):
Right.
It's a

Jack (15:16):
vote of confidence.

Jill (15:17):
It is.
It's

Jack (15:18):
a recognition of their potential.

Jill (15:20):
That's a good point.

Jack (15:21):
And it can be a huge boost to their, their confidence and
motivation.

Jill (15:25):
Absolutely.
Speaking of finances, we talkedabout the concerns that students
have about the cost of college.

Jack (15:31):
Yeah.

Jill (15:31):
But what about the institutions themselves?
I mean, are, are universitiesfinancially sustainable in the
long run?

Jack (15:38):
That's a, that's a really complex question that's, that's
being debated across highereducation.

Jill (15:43):
Okay.

Jack (15:43):
You know, the, the traditional model that's heavily
reliant on tuition revenue.

Jill (15:48):
Right.

Jack (15:48):
It's becoming increasingly unsustainable.

Jill (15:50):
Yeah, I can see that.

Jack (15:52):
Enrollment numbers fluctuate.

Jill (15:53):
Sure.

Jack (15:53):
Students are more price conscious.
Right.
And costs keep rising.

Jill (15:57):
Yeah.

Jack (15:57):
It's a, it's a challenging financial landscape.

Jill (16:00):
So what are universities doing to adapt?

Jack (16:02):
Well, they're exploring alternative revenue stream.

Jill (16:04):
Okay.

Jack (16:05):
Things like online programs.

Jill (16:07):
Okay.

Jack (16:07):
Partnerships with businesses.
Increased fundraising efforts.

Jill (16:10):
Makes sense.

Jack (16:11):
It's about diversifying their income.

Jill (16:13):
Right.

Jack (16:13):
And finding creative ways to fund their mission.

Jill (16:16):
And probably being more mindful of expenses as well.

Jack (16:20):
Absolutely.
Right.
Doing more with less.
Yeah.
Is the new reality for manyinstitutions.

Jill (16:25):
It's tough, but it's

Jack (16:26):
tough, but it's it's essential for their long term
sustainability.

Jill (16:31):
It's about making sure that these institutions are
around for generations to come.
Yes.
So they can continue to educateand inspire future leaders.

Jack (16:38):
You're absolutely right.
Yeah.
And it's not just about thebottom line, you know.
Right.
It's about ensuring that highereducation remains.
Accessible and affordable forall students, regardless of
their background or theirfinancial means.

Jill (16:52):
It's about preserving that transformative power of
education.
Exactly.
Well said.
On that inspiring note, we'vecovered a lot of ground in the
Steep Dive.

Jack (17:02):
We have.

Jill (17:02):
We talked about the challenges facing higher ed.

Jack (17:05):
The innovative solutions emerging.

Jill (17:06):
Yep, and the complex financial realities.
The

Jack (17:09):
financial realities, yeah.

Jill (17:10):
But there's one piece of the puzzle that we haven't fully
explored yet.

Jack (17:14):
And what's that?

Jill (17:15):
We've focused a lot on what institutions can do to
adapt and thrive.

Jack (17:20):
Yeah.

Jill (17:21):
But what about the students themselves?

Jack (17:23):
Hmm, good point.

Jill (17:24):
What role do they play in shaping the future of higher
education?

Jack (17:28):
That's a great question.
We've talked about their needs.

Jill (17:31):
Right.

Jack (17:32):
Their concerns, their expectations.
Yeah.
What about their agency?

Jill (17:36):
Yeah.
Their

Jack (17:37):
voice?

Jill (17:37):
Right.

Jack (17:38):
Do they have a say in all of this?

Jill (17:40):
I like that.
And I think they absolutely do.

Jack (17:42):
They do.
Students are not passiverecipients of education.
Right.
They're active participants.
Yeah.
Who can shape their own learningexperiences.
I

Jill (17:50):
agree.

Jack (17:50):
And influence the direction of higher ed as a
whole.

Jill (17:53):
It's about empowering students to be Advocates.
Yes.
For their own education.

Jack (17:58):
Encourage them to speak up.

Jill (17:59):
Yeah.

Jack (18:00):
Share their perspectives and demand more from their
institutions.

Jill (18:04):
I love it.
So it's not a one way street.

Jack (18:06):
It's not.

Jill (18:07):
It's about building a partnership.

Jack (18:09):
A partnership.
Yeah.

Jill (18:10):
Where both sides are listening.

Jack (18:12):
Right.

Jill (18:12):
And learning from each other.

Jack (18:14):
That's where things get really interesting.
When students have a voice.

Jill (18:17):
Yeah.

Jack (18:18):
And are empowered to co create their educational
experiences.

Jill (18:21):
Yeah.

Jack (18:21):
We see a shift from a From a transactional model of
education.

Jill (18:26):
Okay.
To

Jack (18:26):
a truly transformative one.

Jill (18:28):
So it's, it's moving beyond just delivering
information.

Jack (18:31):
It is.
And

Jill (18:32):
towards igniting a passion for learning.

Jack (18:34):
Yeah.

Jill (18:35):
A sense of purpose.

Jack (18:36):
Absolutely.

Jill (18:37):
A desire to make a difference in the world.

Jack (18:39):
You put it perfectly.
That's what makes me optimistic.

Jill (18:42):
Yeah.

Jack (18:43):
About the future of higher ed.
Yeah, it's about recognizingimmense potential.

Jill (18:49):
Yeah,

Jack (18:50):
within each student and empowering them to unlock it.

Jill (18:53):
It's a beautiful vision.
It

Jack (18:55):
is.

Jill (18:55):
But how do we get there?
What are the concrete steps thatuniversities can take?

Jack (19:00):
Yeah,

Jill (19:00):
to make this vision a reality.

Jack (19:02):
It starts with listening.

Jill (19:03):
Okay.

Jack (19:04):
Universities need to actively seek out student
perspectives.

Jill (19:08):
Right.

Jack (19:08):
Not just through surveys.

Jill (19:10):
Right.

Jack (19:10):
But through genuine dialogue.

Jill (19:12):
Okay.

Jack (19:12):
Open forums.

Jill (19:13):
Got it.

Jack (19:14):
They need to involve students in decision making
processes.

Jill (19:17):
Interesting.

Jack (19:18):
From curriculum design.
to campus planning.

Jill (19:20):
Wow, that's big.

Jack (19:21):
And they need to create a culture where student feedback
is not just welcomed.

Jill (19:24):
Yeah.
But

Jack (19:25):
actively sought out.

Jill (19:26):
Okay.

Jack (19:27):
So

Jill (19:27):
it's about kind of shifting the power dynamic.

Jack (19:30):
It is, yeah.

Jill (19:31):
Giving students a seat at the table.
Give them a seat at the table.
And recognizing them as partnersin shaping the future of their
education.

Jack (19:38):
Partners, exactly.
It's a fundamental shift inmindset.

Jill (19:41):
Yeah.

Jack (19:42):
From seeing students as consumers of education.

Jill (19:45):
Right.

Jack (19:45):
To seeing them as co creators of their learning
experiences.
It's

Jill (19:49):
a powerful idea.

Jack (19:50):
And when you make that shift.
Amazing things can happen.

Jill (19:54):
This, this reminds me of something we talked about
earlier, this idea ofauthenticity and transparency.
Yes.
It seems like that applies notjust to marketing, but to the
entire student experience.

Jack (20:04):
You're absolutely right.
Authenticity and transparencyneed to be woven into the fabric
of the institution.

Jill (20:10):
From

Jack (20:10):
how they communicate with students to how they make
decisions.

Jill (20:13):
Yeah.

Jack (20:14):
Students can smell hypocrisy a mile away.

Jill (20:16):
They can.

Jack (20:17):
They need to see that the university is walking the walk.

Jill (20:20):
Right.

Jack (20:21):
Not just talking the talk.

Jill (20:22):
Actions speak louder than words.

Jack (20:24):
Exactly.
Yeah.
It's about building a genuineconnection.
Yeah.
Based on trust and mutualrespect.

Jill (20:30):
I like that.

Jack (20:30):
It's about creating an environment where students feel
seen, heard, and valued.

Jill (20:36):
And when you create that kind of environment, students
are more likely to thrive.

Jack (20:41):
They are.
Not

Jill (20:41):
just academically, but personally and professionally.

Jack (20:44):
Absolutely.
They're more

Jill (20:45):
likely to graduate with a sense of purpose, a passion.
for making a difference in theworld.

Jack (20:50):
And ultimately, isn't that what education's all about?

Jill (20:52):
It is equipping students

Jack (20:55):
Equipping them.

Jill (20:55):
with the knowledge, the skills, and the mindset The

Jack (20:58):
mindset.

Jill (20:59):
to go out and make a positive impact.

Jack (21:01):
Precisely.
And when we view educationthrough that lens,

Jill (21:04):
Yeah.

Jack (21:05):
it's not just about getting a degree.

Jill (21:08):
Yeah.

Jack (21:08):
It's about empowering individuals to reach their full
potential.

Jill (21:12):
Yeah.

Jack (21:12):
And to contribute to building a better future for all
of us.

Jill (21:15):
I love that.
That's a powerful message.
So as we wrap up this deep dive,what are your, your final
thoughts?
What's the one key takeaway youwant our listeners to remember?

Jack (21:26):
If I had to boil it down to one thing, it would be this,
the future of higher ed hingeson embracing change,

Jill (21:35):
embracing change,

Jack (21:36):
embracing change, letting go of outdated models.
Yeah.
Embracing innovation.

Jill (21:41):
Okay.

Jack (21:41):
And above all, putting students at the heart of
everything they do.

Jill (21:45):
Students at the heart.

Jack (21:46):
Students at the heart.
That's, that's the key.
I

Jill (21:48):
like it.
It's about recognizing thatwe're not just preparing
students for the world as it is,but for a world that's
constantly evolving.
Evolving in

Jack (21:57):
flux, yeah.
Exactly.
Right.

Jill (21:58):
And that requires a different kind of education.
It does.
One that fosters adaptability.

Jack (22:03):
Adaptability, yes.

Jill (22:04):
Creativity.

Jack (22:05):
And a lifelong love of learning.

Jill (22:06):
Lifelong learning, that's the key.

Jack (22:08):
Wow, we really have covered a lot of ground in this,
this deep dive.

Jill (22:12):
Super

Jack (22:12):
you.
You know, from the studentengagement crisis.
To, uh,

Jill (22:16):
the

Jack (22:16):
rise of AI to changing financial landscape of, of
higher ed.

Jill (22:21):
It's been quite a journey.

Jack (22:22):
It has.

Jill (22:23):
So, so as we, as we wrap up here, where do we go from
here?
What does all this mean for, forthe future of higher education?
It feels like we're, we'restanding at a crossroads.

Jack (22:32):
I think, I think we are at a, at a pivotal moment, you
know, the decisions thatinstitutions make today are
going to shape the future ofeducation for, for generations
to come.

Jill (22:43):
It's a big responsibility.

Jack (22:44):
It is.
So

Jill (22:44):
what does that future look like?
I mean, it's both exciting and alittle bit scary, right?
As you imagine.
It is.
It

Jack (22:51):
is.
We can't.
Predict the future withcertainty, of course, but the
trends that we've been talkingabout,

Jill (22:56):
yeah.

Jack (22:57):
They definitely paint a picture of, of what's to come.
Okay.
Technology, you know?
Yeah.
It's gonna continue torevolutionize how we learn and
teach.

Jill (23:04):
Right.

Jack (23:05):
We're gonna see, you know, even more personalized learning
experiences.

Jill (23:08):
Okay.

Jack (23:08):
AI powered tools, these immersive virtual environments.
It's,

Jill (23:12):
it's really about, I guess, embracing those
advancements.
Yeah.
And finding creative ways tointegrate them into the
educational experience.

Jack (23:21):
Absolutely.
And alongside that, alongsidethat technological evolution,
there's also this growingemphasis on student

Jill (23:31):
centricity.

Jack (23:31):
The universities that really prioritize student needs,
personalize the learningjourney, provide that
comprehensive support, those arethe ones that are going to
thrive.

Jill (23:41):
So it's really about putting students at the heart.

Jack (23:44):
At the heart.
Of

Jill (23:45):
everything they do.

Jack (23:46):
Absolutely.

Jill (23:46):
I like that.
And And let's not forget aboutoutcomes, right?

Jack (23:50):
I

Jill (23:50):
mean, students and their families, they want to know

Jack (23:53):
Yeah.

Jill (23:54):
that this investment in education

Jack (23:56):
Yeah.

Jill (23:56):
is gonna pay off.

Jack (23:58):
Absolutely.

Jill (23:58):
Yeah.

Jack (23:59):
They're, they're looking for tangible results.
Right.
A clear path to a, to afulfilling and financially
rewarding career.

Jill (24:06):
So it's not just about getting a degree anymore.
It's about acquiring the skillsand the knowledge

Jack (24:11):
The skills, yeah.

Jill (24:12):
that translate into real world success.

Jack (24:14):
Exactly.
And that means, you know Yeah.
Going beyond those, thosetraditional academic
disciplines.

Jill (24:19):
Okay.

Jack (24:20):
Universities need to equip students critical thinking,
problem solving, communication,collaboration.

Jill (24:26):
These are the, the soft skills we hear so much about.

Jack (24:29):
Soft skills, essential skills, whatever you want to
call them.

Jill (24:32):
Right.
The things that employers arereally looking for.

Jack (24:34):
Yeah.
The kind of skills that aregoing to be in high demand, no
matter how the, how the jobmarket evolves.
That's

Jill (24:39):
a good point.
It's about preparing them, notjust for the jobs of today, but
for the jobs that haven't evenbeen invented yet.

Jack (24:46):
You got it, yeah.
We're in an era of rapid change.

Jill (24:50):
Right.

Jack (24:51):
And adaptability is key.
It

Jill (24:53):
is!

Jack (24:54):
Instilling in students a love of learning, a thirst for
knowledge, the ability toembrace new challenges.
It's

Jill (25:00):
how you future proof them.

Jack (25:01):
You got it.
That's how you future proofthem.

Jill (25:03):
I like that.
But, but amidst all these, youknow, all these changes and
advancements, Yeah.
There's, there's one fundamentalelement that, that I think will
always remain crucial.

Jack (25:14):
And what's that?

Jill (25:15):
Human connection.
Yes.
I think about the relationshipsbetween students and faculty.
Right.
The bonds that are formed withinthe campus community.
Yeah.
The mentorship that, that guidesstudents along their educational
journeys.

Jack (25:30):
Yeah.
These are the things Yeah.
That truly make educationtransformative.

Jill (25:34):
It's that human element.
Yeah.
It's that, that spark ofinspiration.
Yeah.
That connection with a mentorwho believes in you.

Jack (25:41):
Absolute.
Those

Jill (25:42):
are the things that no algorithm can replicate.

Jack (25:45):
No algorithm can replicate that.
You're right.

Jill (25:46):
And so as we, as we look to the future, yeah.
It's, it's essential to rememberthat technology should.
Enhance.

Jack (25:55):
Enhance.

Jill (25:56):
Not replace human interaction.

Jack (25:57):
Exactly.
It's about, it's about findingthat balance.
Right.
Between leveraging the power oftechnology.

Jill (26:04):
Yep.

Jack (26:04):
And nurturing those invaluable human connections.

Jill (26:08):
Absolutely.

Jack (26:09):
That make education so much more.

Jill (26:11):
Yeah.

Jack (26:11):
Than just acquiring information.

Jill (26:13):
It's about the whole person.
It

Jack (26:14):
is.
It's about the whole person.

Jill (26:16):
So as we, Thank you.
As we conclude this deep diveinto the future of higher
education, what's the one keytakeaway you'd like our
listeners to ponder?

Jack (26:27):
You know, I would leave them with this thought.
What if the future of higher edwasn't just about adapting to
change?
But about co creating italongside students.

Jill (26:40):
Co creating it?
Yeah.

Jack (26:41):
Imagine, imagine universities that actively
involve students.

Jill (26:45):
Okay.

Jack (26:45):
In designing curricula.

Jill (26:47):
Yeah.

Jack (26:48):
Shaping campus culture.

Jill (26:49):
Interesting.

Jack (26:50):
Even defining what success looks like.

Jill (26:53):
Wow.
That's, that a powerful idea.

Jack (26:56):
It's a, it's a future I would be excited to see unfold.

Jill (26:58):
It is.
It's a powerful vision.

Jack (27:00):
It is.

Jill (27:01):
And a reminder that, that the future of higher education
isn't, Right.
It's something we can activelyshape and influence.

Jack (27:08):
Exactly.
It's a call to action.
Yeah.
For institutions to be bold.

Jill (27:12):
Okay.
To

Jack (27:12):
be innovative.
Yeah.
And above all, to put studentsat the center of their mission.
I like that.

Jill (27:18):
Well, thank you so much for joining us on this deep
dive.
It's been a pleasure.
Into this, this ever evolvingworld of higher education.
It's been a fascinatingexploration and I'm, I'm eager
to see what the future holds.

Jack (27:29):
You too.

Jill (27:30):
Well, thanks again for joining us.

Jack (27:32):
It's been a pleasure.
Until next time.

Jill (27:33):
Until next time.
Keep

Jack (27:34):
learning.

Jill (27:35):
Keep learning.
Keep

Jack (27:36):
questioning.
Keep

Jill (27:37):
questioning.

Jack (27:37):
And keep pushing the boundaries.

Jill (27:39):
Push the boundaries.

Jack (27:41):
Of what education can be.

Jill (27:43):
Awesome.
Thanks again.

Jack (27:44):
Thanks.
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