Higher Ed Conversations

What does a Fractional CMO actually do and why are ed-tech companies and colleges leaning into this flexible leadership model?

In this episode, we’re joined by Gil Rogers, founder of GR7 Marketing, whose deep roots in ed-tech and higher ed make him a go-to strategist for institutions looking to get smarter, faster. Gil shares what it really means to step in as a fractional CMO, how he helps clients clarify their marketing roadmap, a...

Did you know that nearly one-third of college students drop out after their first year? In this episode, Carey Duke, assistant professor at North Greenville University and author of A Guide to Thrive!, joins me to explore why so many students struggle and what we can do about it. 

Carey breaks down the six key variables he uses to measure college readiness, offering a framework that goes beyond academics to include a student’s envir...

Today's guest, Marcela Andrés, is the CEO and president of designEDengagement, PBC, a consulting firm built around the idea that education can be transformed by enhancing the connection between students, families, educators, and communities. Her book, Purposeful Educator Connections, discusses how educators can strengthen their relationships with students and highlights five principles that can enhance the culture of the class...

There is a push and pull between an advertiser’s desire to attribute advertisement spending to lead generation and their responsibility to respect consumer privacy. In this episode, Raj Sudra, the Chief Technology Officer at Gannett, joins me to discuss his role and the intricacies of digital marketing attribution. He explains the technology and systems used, such as LocaliQ's proprietary Capture technology, pixel tracking, an...

Teege Mettille, Director of Enrollment Success at enroll ml, is joining me today to talk about the crucial topic of college admissions. Teege shares his personal journey from being a first-generation college student to a thought leader in admissions, emphasizing the transformative impact of higher education. The conversation explores his book, 'The Admissions Counselor Malaise,' which delves into the challenges facing adm...

Dr. Tina King, president of San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) joins me on the show today to talk about branding and how GradComm helped elevate the beauty already present in SDCCE to connect more with the community they served. We discuss the unique aspects of SDCCE as one of the largest non-credit institutions in the nation, focusing on its mission to provide free, accessible, high-quality education to a diverse st...

What are the barriers that keep students from finishing an application or from completing their degree? Emily Coleman joins me today from HAI Analytics to discuss her company’s work in building predictive models for higher education institutions. These models help predict student behavior to optimize critical processes like the allocation of financial aid. Emily explains the importance of retaining data, overcoming data silos, and ...

The behavior of leaders in any organization is learned and passed down from team to team. With 89% of managers having no formal leadership training, today’s episode is an important conversation on learning what being a good leader looks like. Elaine Gosden, CEO of Blue Gnu Consulting, joins me from England to discuss leadership development and creating happier workplaces. Elaine outlines her company's approach, which focuses o...

The worst time to plan a response to a crisis is in the middle of a crisis. My guest on the show today is Stephanie Craig, the president of crisis management firm, Kith. In this episode, we talk about the importance of planning for a crisis ahead of time and how to practice the plan so that it’s not forgotten when it’s needed. Stephanie stresses the importance of speedily handling a crisis by knowing your core values and establishi...

“How do I apply for financial aid?”, “When does the fall semester start?”, “Where can I change my class schedule?” Starting college comes with many questions. Our guest for this episode, Nick Martin, has developed a way for AI to help engage with prospective students while improving the experience of existing ones. Nick is the Co-Founder of Direqt, an organization that trains conversational AI chatbots on a school’s website, data, ...

Today, I sit down with Beth Noel, a communicator dedicated to accessibility and inclusive design in higher education. Beth shares her journey into this field, which may have started with a challenge posed by an Office of Civil Rights letter regarding inaccessible PDFs. Still, it has resulted in a newfound commitment to diversity, equity, and belonging for students with disabilities. Beth and I discuss the steps taken to remediate a...

In today's episode of Higher Ed Conversations, I talk with Christine Rose, the Regional Senior Marketing Director at Outfront, about the dynamic world of out-of-home (OOH) media. Christine shares her expertise in developing and executing marketing strategies across ten markets in the West region. Our conversation covers the tangible impact of OOH media, the importance of creative design, the use of data-driven insights for ad ...

On this Higher Ed Conversations episode, I host a conversation with an Al expert and, more impressively, my sister-in-law, Suzi Boynton! Suzi is the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Trustees for the San Marcos Unified School District, where she utilizes the tool of Al in her day-to-day work for the school system. In our conversation, we discussed Suzi's journey with AI and how its practical applications i...

In this episode, Keith Goodman, a direct mail marketing expert, discusses the resurgence of direct mail marketing across various industries, especially in education. Keith highlights direct mail's targeted approach, allowing for personalized messaging to different audiences, a significant advantage over digital ads' broad reach. He explains how direct mail utilizes detailed demographic and psychographic data, such as hous...

Today, on Higher Ed Conversations, I embark on my first solo episode! And with a very good reason –I've just released my first ebook, "Why Your Community CollegeMarketing is Failing: Lessons From Online Dating," which has already hit number one in several online categories! So, I'm here to dive into the book's three themes and how they've helped hundreds of colleges dramatically improve their marketing...

 Many students cannot enroll in a two to four-year collegiate program, but they still desire access to professional skills that will allow them to obtain higher-earning jobs. This episode of Higher Ed Conversations features Linda Kurokawa, the Executive Director of Community Education & Workforce Development at MiraCosta College. Linda highlights the importance of community colleges investing in workforce development and employ...

As higher education continues to evolve and expand, the presidency of its institutions has become an ever-increasing, ever-taxing role. It's this issue that this month's guest, Jeff Julian, current Chief of Staff at Harper College and President of the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations, shares his insights on this role. With an extensive résumé of various marketing positions such as Communications, Publ...

It's undeniable that social media has transformed into an essential platform for both cultivating a presence and nurturing community bonds and connections. With the embrace of platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for interaction and staying informed, organizations and businesses are compelled to have a stake in social media platforms to be relevant. Joined by Megan Ellisor, Director of NC State University's soci...

Balancing children and a career may seem unachievable, but Letitia Clark, a seasoned Chief Communications Officer, elected official, and author, unveils the secrets to harmonizing professional life and motherhood. From her dynamic career path to her role on the Tustin City Council, Letitia delves into the intricacies of being a mother while excelling in the professional realm. She discusses her two books, with a particular focus on...