The Higher Ed Marketer

The Faith Leaders Mini-Series - Episode 209 (4 of 4)
In the last episode of the Higher Ed Marketer podcast's Faith Leaders Series we speak with Dondi Costin, president of Liberty University, about the intersection of Christian faith and higher education. They discuss the importance of leadership in maintaining the mission of the university, the role of spiritual formation in education, and the need for clarity in mission to avo...

Faith Leaders Mini-Series - Episode 208 (3 of 4)

In this special mini-series, Bart Caylor and Zach Coffin (VP of The Higher Ed Marketer and Pastor) explore the intersection of faith and higher education. Each week they engage in meaningful conversations with Christian higher ed leaders from across the country.

In this week's episode of The Higher Ed Marketer, Dr. David Hoag, President of the Council for Christian Colleges &am...

Faith Leaders Mini-Series - Episode 207 (2 of 4)

In this special mini-series, Bart Caylor and Zach Coffin (VP of The Higher Ed Marketer and Pastor) explore the intersection of faith and higher education. Each week they engage in meaningful conversations with Christian higher ed leaders from across the country.

This week they’re joined by Dr. Phil Cook, President of the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professiona...

Faith Leaders Mini-Series - Episode 206 (1 of 4)

In this special mini-series, Bart Caylor and Zach Coffin (VP of The Higher Ed Marketer) explore the intersection of faith and higher education. Each week of this series they have thoughtful discussions with a Christian Higher Ed leader from across the country. 

This week they are joined by Dr. Philip Dearborn, President of The Association for Biblical Higher Ed (ABHE).  Philip ...

We’re thrilled to announce the Faith Leaders Mini Series—a special four-week series of episodes focused on the unique opportunities, challenges, and innovations within Christian higher education.

Hosted by Bart Caylor and joined by guest co-host Zach Coffin, VP of The Higher Ed Marketer, this series features conversations with influential leaders from across the country and around the world. Together, they explore how faith and ...

In this conversation, Jeff Salyer, shares insights from his recent transition into Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing at Lee University. He draws parallels between ultra running and the challenges of enrollment, emphasizing the need for effective communication and listening to stakeholders. Jeff also highlights the significance of engaging with external partners and the power of storytelling in shaping the university's bra...

Bonus Episode Alert 🚨
We’re closing out Season 6 with something special. In next week’s bonus episode, Dr. Jeff Salyer—VP for Enrollment and Marketing at Lee University—joins us to talk about endurance, storytelling, and the future of student engagement.

This short update from Zach Coffin, VP of The Higher Ed Marketer, includes a sneak peek of what’s ahead.

Shoutout to our friends at ZeeMee for making this bonus episode poss...

Season 6 - Episode 204

In this episode, Dr. Gayle D. Beebe, President of Westmont College, joins us for a candid conversation about leading through adversity and staying anchored in mission when everything feels uncertain. Drawing from more than 30 years in higher education — and nearly two decades as a college president — Dr. Beebe shares hard-won insights on how character, emotional intelligence, and moral clarity shape resili...

Season 6 - Episode 203

In this episode, we sit down with Tina Miller from Arizona State University to explore how ASU is boldly embracing AI—not just as a tool, but as a campus-wide transformation strategy. We also dig into their groundbreaking partnership with OpenAI and the creation of ChatGPT EDU, a major step toward reshaping how students and educators interact with AI. Tina unpacks the difference between AI literacy and flu...

Season 6 - Episode 202

Is your university truly prepared for a crisis—and is that plan ready to activate when it matters most? In this conversation, Mike Thomas, Vice President for Integrated Marketing Communications at Pepperdine University, explores the vital role of gratitude, crisis communication, and the Emergency Operations Committee in navigating crises like wildfires. He underscores the power of authentic brand messaging...

Season 6 - Episode 201

In this episode, Carol Keese, VP and CMP at University of Oregon, challenges traditional higher ed marketing norms and invites institutions to let go of exclusivity and lean into authenticity. Drawing on her extensive experience, she unpacks how colleges and universities can better communicate their value by focusing on accessibility, data-informed strategy, and real-world relevance. Carol also explores the po...

Season 6 - Episode 200

What happens when one of the most respected voices in higher ed marketing takes on one of the country’s largest and most tradition-rich institutions? In our 200th episode, Ethan Braden shares his bold vision for Texas A&M University—why he said yes to the role, how he’s reimagining its brand on a national scale, and what it takes to lead marketing at a university with 600,000 alumni and 80,000 students.

Eth...

Season 6 - Episode 199

Is higher ed marketing building real connections, or just making a lot of noise? We sit down with Jaime Hunt, Founder & President of Solve Higher Ed Marketing and author of the newly released Heart Over Hype, to explore how empathy-driven marketing can revolutionize the way universities engage with their audiences.

Jaime unpacks how schools can move beyond transactional messaging to create authentic...

Season 6 - Episode 198

Why does no one read your university emails? Ashley Budd and Dayana Kibilds, co-authors of Mailed It!, join us to break down the biggest mistakes higher ed marketers make—and how to fix them.

In this episode, we get tactical about what actually works in email marketing for enrollment, advancement, and alumni engagement. From crafting subject lines that get clicks to making emails feel more personal (wit...

Season 6, Episode 197

Too often in higher ed, finance, marketing, and enrollment teams operate in silos, creating roadblocks to sustainable growth. Steven Rutt, Chief Revenue Officer at Abilene Christian University, joins us to break down why alignment between these teams is crucial—and how to make it happen.

In this conversation, Steven shares why more universities should rethink the CRO role, how to bridge the gap between finan...

Session 6 - Episode 196

In this episode of The Higher Ed Marketer, Bryce Hoffman, VP and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), shares insights from his transition into the CMO role and the evolving landscape of higher ed marketing. He reflects on generational shifts in communication, the challenges of leadership, and the role of trust and creativity in making a real impact.

Let...

Season 6 - 195

How can colleges adapt to shifting demographics and enrollment challenges? In this episode, we sit down with Jeremy Taylor, Vice President of Enrollment Management at Defiance College, to explore innovative strategies for attracting and retaining students. Jeremy shares how understanding market dynamics, leveraging data, and aligning recruitment efforts with institutional mission can drive enrollment success. He a...

Season 6 - Episode 194

How do you foster a culture of innovation in higher ed marketing? In this episode, we sit down with Matt Metzger, Chief Marketing Officer at Grace College, to explore the institution’s rebranding journey and the launch of Grace Solutions. Matt shares how his team is embracing fresh marketing strategies, overcoming challenges, and driving engagement through bold, community-focused initiatives. From creative...

Season 6 - 193 with Jenny Li Fowler

What does it take to build a thriving, engaged social media presence—without relying on paid promotions? In this episode of The Higher Ed Marketer, we sit down with Jenny Li Fowler, Director of Social Media Strategy at MIT and author of Organic Social Media, to uncover the secrets behind organic social media success. Jenny shares her 6M Framework for social media strategy, how to create conten...