The Higher Ed Marketer

Faith Leaders Mini-Series - Episode 249 (1 of 4)

In this special mini-series, Bart Caylor explores the intersection of faith and higher education through conversations with influential Christian university leaders from across the country. Recorded live at the 2026 CCCU International Forum, each episode highlights how faith-driven leadership is shaping the future of higher education during a season of rapid change and innovation.

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One of The Higher Ed Marketer's most anticipated annual series is back. In this special summer preview, Zach Coffin shares what listeners can expect from the 2026 Faithful Leaders Series, recorded live at the CCCU International Forum in Dallas. This year's series explores leadership, institutional clarity, enrollment challenges, and the unique opportunities facing Christian higher education today.

Zach also celebrates a major milest...

Zach Coffin is excited to share some big news with you as The Higher Ed Marketer approaches its 250th episode! We celebrate our co-host Troy Singer and his transition into a new industry. Troy, you will be deeply missed and we are forever grateful for you. 

There are big plans for The Higher Ed Marketer this summer including the return of the beloved Faith Leaders series. 

The Higher Ed Marketer Network is adding a brand ne...

Silos are one of the biggest barriers to growth in higher education, yet they persist across academics, enrollment, and marketing. Dale Lemke, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Tabor College, brings a refreshing, collaborative perspective shaped by experience in both faculty and leadership roles. He shares how institutions can move from isolation to alignment by fostering intentional relationships, embracing share...

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. 

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Special Fan Favorite Episode: In this reply conversation, Eric Hogue, President of <...

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 unpacks how thoug...

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 lead with clarity in an ...

Vince Slomsky, 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 playbooks and encourages ...

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 rebuilding strategy a...

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, community, and i...

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 signal for students, pare...

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 background in development a...

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 over time. This conversation focuses o...

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 reframing AI as "institutional ele...

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. 

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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 a...

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 roadmap for higher ed m...

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 education, Season 8 helps leaders ...

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 very merry Christmas. 

The...

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 adopting hybrid work...