This Fall Season of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proudly sponsored by NextGrad.___New leaders often feel pressure to make their mark quickly, but listening can be the most strategic first move. Dr. Aly Williams, President of Midland University, shares how 25 years at Indiana Wesleyan University and a decade in athletic training prepared her to enter a new community with curiosity. She explains how listening becomes strategy, how vocation shapes institutional distinctiveness, and why strong campus and community relationships require intentional time.___What We Cover in This Episode🔘 What athletic training taught Aly about pressure, decisions, and creativity🔘 How an institution can intentionally develop future leaders🔘 Why a new president chose listening before major change🔘 How personal stories help leaders uncover institutional strengths🔘 Why mission, vocation, and community sharpen a college’s distinctiveness___Episode Highlights02:29 - Lessons from making decisions on the athletic sidelines05:21 - How Indiana Wesleyan intentionally developed leaders08:54 - Learning a campus through several different roles11:22 - Recognizing the call to leave a familiar institution13:12 - Why Aly devoted her first year to listening20:21 - Two practical rules for a productive listening tour23:09 - Connecting Midland’s success to the Fremont community25:46 - Turning mission and vocation into meaningful distinction___NextGrad helps colleges and universities reach students where they already are, inside the high school itself. With a network of over 2,500 schools across North America, NextGrad puts your institution's message in front of future students every single day. Be the school they remember when it's time to decide.Nextgrad.com, Where students see you first.___The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions, your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. ___To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This Fall Season of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proudly sponsored by NextGrad.Long-term leadership depends on knowing what each moment requires. Dr. Todd J. Williams, President and CEO of Cairn University, reflects on 18 years in the president’s chair and explains why leaders must sometimes push, pull, or pause. He shares how trust, honest self-examination, restorative practices, and patience help leaders act with wisdom without being ruled by urgency or morale alone.___What We Cover in This Episode🔘 How long-term leadership creates room for iterative change🔘 Why restorative interests are part of sustaining a calling🔘 How to recognize when a moment calls for a push, pull, or pause🔘 Why trust and character matter more than a leadership formula🔘 How patience and honest motives strengthen difficult decisions___Episode Highlights01:48 - What 18 years at one institution makes possible06:45 - Integrating restorative interests into a leader’s life12:40 - Reading the moment before choosing how to lead18:43 - Why inviting input does not guarantee agreement22:41 - Knowing when a pause serves the outcome26:01 - Recovering when a leader misreads the moment38:41 - Learning that patience can be its own reward___NextGrad helps colleges and universities reach students where they already are, inside the high school itself. With a network of over 2,500 schools across North America, NextGrad puts your institution's message in front of future students every single day. Be the school they remember when it's time to decide.Nextgrad.com, Where students see you first.___The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions,  your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. ___To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This Fall Season of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proudly sponsored by NextGrad.Purchased-name lists are shrinking, but the right students are still out there. Dr. Donald K. Egle, Founder + Managing Director of The Kyer Group, explains how colleges can build stronger enrollment pipelines by identifying the communities where mission-fit students already gather and committing to a meaningful presence there. Drawing on 26 years of higher education leadership, Don shares why marketing, recruiting, and institutional strategy must work together. He also challenges colleges to clarify who they are, understand what their audiences truly value, and build relationships over a multi-year horizon.___What We Cover in This Episode🔘 Why clarity, a compelling case, and conviction shape student decisions🔘 How admissions teams can build relationships across a multi-year student journey🔘 Why marketing and recruiting need coordinated strategy and boots on the ground🔘 How colleges can earn trust within homeschool and other student communities🔘 Why institutional alignment is essential for sustaining a multi-year enrollment strategy___Episode Highlights04:16 - What families want from colleges: clarity, a compelling case, and conviction07:03 - How to make a college fair conversation about the student11:11 - Why traditional enrollment structures struggle to keep pace18:22 - Finding more of the right people through consistent presence23:30 - Why LeTourneau invested deeply in homeschool networks32:22 - Preparing your institution before searching for new watering holes36:47 - The difference between value and appreciative value41:35 - Building alignment around a multi-year enrollment strategy___NextGrad helps colleges and universities reach students where they already are, inside the high school itself. With a network of over 2,500 schools across North America, NextGrad puts your institution's message in front of future students every single day. Be the school they remember when it's time to decide.Nextgrad.com, Where students see you first.___The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions, your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This Fall Season of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proudly sponsored by NextGrad.Leadership is more than hitting targets. Greg Aden, Owner/Founder of Aden Leadership, explains why lasting leadership depends on serving the people who follow you and helping them take ownership of shared goals. Drawing from decades in hospitality, financial services, and executive coaching, Greg shares practical ways to create alignment, build accountability, and approach difficult conversations with courage. His advice gives higher education leaders a clear place to begin: stay curious, prepare well, honor your word, and make time for people.___ What We Cover in This Episode🔘 How servant leadership shifts the focus from personal performance to team success🔘 Why alignment and communication must come before accountability🔘 Why leaders must model the accountability they expect from others🔘 How agreements create clearer commitments than unspoken expectations🔘 A practical framework for preparing for courageous conversations___Episode Highlights01:45 - Why success and leadership are not the same thing04:41 - Making time for people when teams are stretched thin06:28 - Why alignment must come before accountability09:12 - The difference between expectations and agreements14:52 - How to prepare for a courageous conversation21:05 - Integrity, accountability, and honoring your word23:07 - Curiosity and empathy as practical leadership tools___NextGrad helps colleges and universities reach students where they already are, inside the high school itself. With a network of over 2,500 schools across North America, NextGrad puts your institution's message in front of future students every single day. Be the school they remember when it's time to decide.Nextgrad.com — Where students see you first.___The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions, your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

How do you build a higher ed creative team that produces great work without burning out the people behind it? Paul Bross,  Director of Creative Operations at Oklahoma Baptist University and brand-new host of The Higher Ed Creative Podcast, shares what he’s learned moving from filmmaking and television into higher education creative leadership. Paul explores how clear expectations, protected creative time, and stronger collaboration can help small marketing teams do better work while staying connected to enrollment and institutional goals. He also shares how his team is using AI to reduce administrative tasks, why higher ed creatives need greater support, and the vision behind The Higher Ed Creative, a new podcast for the photographers, videographers, social media professionals, and other makers shaping higher education.___What We Cover in This Episode🔘How Higher Ed creative teams can align requests, expectations, scope, and institutional strategy. 🔘Ways leaders can protect creative time and reduce burnout on small marketing teams🔘How AI can reduce administrative tasks so creative professionals have more time to create.🔘Why we are launching The Higher Ed Creative Podcast___Episode Highlights04:59 – Moving from content creator to leading a higher ed Creative Studio08:06 – Why good creative work gets lost between concept, approvals, and completion17:40 – The idea behind The Higher Ed Creative podcast18:47 – Creative burnout, isolation, and retaining talented higher ed makers21:38 – What’s on Your Desk? Paul shares the projects currently demanding his team’s attention24:57 – Using AI to reduce administrative work instead of replacing creativity___NextGrad helps colleges and universities reach students where they already are, inside the high school itself. With a network of over 2,500 schools across North America, NextGrad puts your institution's message in front of future students every single day. Be the school they remember when it's time to decide.Nextgrad.com — Where students see you first.___The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. ___To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This Fall Season of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proudly sponsored by NextGrad.___A strong institutional brand matters, but sometimes the most powerful voice belongs to the person leading it. Jerra Toms, Founder & Principal Consultant at Blue Iris Consulting, shares how presidents, deans, and other higher ed leaders can use LinkedIn to build authentic connections with students, alumni, donors, and industry partners.Jerra breaks down how to create consistent executive content, capture a leader’s authentic voice, and turn everyday interactions into opportunities that strengthen both personal and institutional visibility.___What We Cover in This Episode🔘Why personal leadership content can outperform institutional messaging🔘How busy executives can build a consistent LinkedIn presence🔘Ways communications teams can capture a leader’s authentic voice🔘How to find content opportunities in a leader’s existing calendar🔘Why executive visibility can support enrollment, advancement, and reputation___Episode Highlights06:43 - Starting a LinkedIn strategy with just 20 to 30 minutes a week09:48 - Finding content opportunities in an executive’s existing calendar13:11 - Capturing an executive’s authentic voice and using AI to support the process15:28 - Why a strong LinkedIn profile comes before a posting strategy18:12 - A practical approach for leaders without a communications team28:03 - The first steps leaders can take today___NextGrad helps colleges and universities reach students where they already are, inside the high school itself. With a network of over 2,500 schools across North America, NextGrad puts your institution's message in front of future students every single day. Be the school they remember when it's time to decide.Nextgrad.com — Where students see you first.___The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.___The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This Fall Season of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proudly sponsored by NextGrad.NextGrad helps colleges and universities reach students where they already are, inside the high school itself. With a network of over 2,500 schools across North America, NextGrad puts your institution's message in front of future students every single day. Be the school they remember when it's time to decide.Nextgrad.com — Where students see you first.___Season 9 of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast starts next week. Zach Coffin previews the guests on deck this fall, including Jeff Selingo, Don Engle, Todd Williams, and Aly Williams and shares two pieces of news: president and author Jamie Caridi's new book The Terra Firma Way just hit #1 on Amazon, and the Higher Ed Marketer Network is adding a new show. Zach also has an invite to the ABHE Marketing & Enrollment Conference, October 6-8 in Orlando.___What We Cover in This Episode🔘Jamie Caridi's new #1 Amazon bestseller, The Terra Firma Way🔘A first look at Season 9's guest lineup🔘A brand-new podcast joining the Higher Ed Marketer Network this October🔘Why the ABHE Marketing & Enrollment Conference is built differently, and why spots are limited🔘Where to catch Bart on the road this fall____The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.____The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Encore Episode: Originally Aired October 2025___Artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education and each generation is approaching it differently. AI Mindset’s founder and CEO, Conor Grennan, joined by his Gen Z son, Finn, to explore how AI is influencing academic integrity, workforce readiness, and the way students engage with learning.Rather than approaching AI with fear or hype, Conor encourages institutions to engage with it from a place of curiosity, conviction, and intentionality. This episode challenges assumptions and offers a hopeful, practical framework for integrating AI into both academic and personal formation.___Join us as we discuss:🔘How AI is changing the way we teach, learn, and lead🔘The role of discipleship in shaping tech ethics🔘Why Gen Z students expect transparency, not perfection🔘Creating campus-wide AI literacy with joy and curiosity🔘Using storytelling to make tech feel less intimidating___Inside the Episode 06:14 – What it means to disciple students in the age of AI08:50 – The danger of seeing AI as “just a tool”13:22 – How higher ed should position itself as a moral compass16:09 – The three pillars of AI literacy at NYU Stern30:03 – Faith, imagination, and the opportunity ahead___The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. ___To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Encore Episode: Originally Aired November 2025___Every event tells a story, but only the most intentional ones help people feel your brand. At Biola University, Tracey Harrison, who now serves as Senior Advisor to the President, shares how she redefined campus events through a framework called Eventful Branding.. This philosophy turns events from logistical tasks into meaningful, mission-driven experiences that embody the heart of an institution.Through storytelling, hospitality, and collaboration, universities can design moments that make guests feel seen, valued, and connected to something greater. Drawing from Biola’s innovative approach, this conversation explores how to transform everything from campus tours to groundbreaking ceremonies into living expressions of your brand identity. You’ll learn how to unite marketing and events under one story, foster emotional connection with Gen Z, and build brand belief through authentic, human-centered design.___Join us as we discuss:🔘What Eventful Branding means and how to apply it across campus🔘Creating immersive events that communicate mission through emotion🔘Why hospitality is a marketing strategy, not just an act of service🔘Building cross-departmental alignment through shared storytelling🔘How to surprise and delight students with purpose and creativity🔘Practical ideas for smaller institutions to elevate their event experience___Inside the Episode 04:37 – Defining eventful branding and how it came to life at Biola07:44 – How a film school groundbreaking became a storytelling moment11:16 – Bringing “unreasonable hospitality” to higher ed33:59 – How smaller schools can create big emotional impact37:58 – Transforming campus visits into emotional brand experiences46:48 – Building brand belief through meaningful human connection___The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. ___To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Encore Episode: Originally Aired March 2026___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 thoughtful leadership, trust, and alignment can turn a fragmented digital presence into something purposeful, intuitive, and mission-driven.___What We Cover in This Episode🔘 Why “attention is king” in modern higher ed marketing🔘 Lessons from transitioning into higher ed from the private sector🔘 Building trust across campus before launching major initiatives🔘 Navigating website redesigns as change management, not just tech projects🔘 How to align stakeholders around a student-first digital experience___Episode Highlights02:03 – Transitioning into higher ed and culture shock07:20 – Building trust through presence and authenticity10:06 – Why the website redesign was necessary12:00 – The real challenge, people not technology13:30 – Creating buy-in across campus stakeholders15:35 – Moving to a student-first website strategy22:00 – Leadership growth during major transitions24:30 – Post-launch challenges and holding the line___The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. ___To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.