Insights on higher education marketing, enrollment strategy, AI and communications
Higher education marketing is evolving quickly. Enrollment pressure, organizational complexity and emerging technologies like AI are changing how institutions operate and communicate.
Thoughts from Solve Higher Ed Marketing explore these shifts through a practical, strategic lens — covering brand positioning, enrollment marketing, communications, marketing audits, student journey mapping and AI in higher education.
‘Best-Kept Secret’ is Higher Ed’s Favorite Excuse
Calling yourself a “best-kept secret” might sound humble and endearing, but it’s just a polite way of saying “we haven’t prioritized marketing and we hope no one notices.”
Instead of Trying to Keep Your Best People, Focus on Developing Them
Holding onto talent by limiting growth is a losing strategy. Leaders who invest in mentoring create stronger teams, deeper loyalty, and more meaningful impact.
How to Keep AI from Becoming the Wild West
In this episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO, host Jaime Hunt sits down with Nikki Ferrell, Associate Director of Online Enrollment Marketing and Communications at Miami University, to explore how higher education institutions can adopt AI ethically and intentionally.
Is Your Storytelling Wasting Its Potential?
Action without emotion is pressure. Emotion without action is wasted potential.
Reframing the Value of College with Maniacal Transparency
Students don’t expect us to be perfect. They expect us to be honest. They want real answers to real questions. They want the why behind the what. They want a college search process that respects their intelligence.
How AI Chatbots and Social Media Are Changing College Search Behavior
Prospective students are no longer relying on Google alone … they’re using AI tools like ChatGPT and platforms like TikTok to research colleges.
AI Search Is Changing Higher Ed Marketing; Here’s How to Stay Visible
AI-powered search and zero-click results are reshaping how prospective students find colleges. This guide outlines six strategies to help higher education marketers stay visible.
The Future of Higher Ed is on the Line
How can we convince a skeptical public of the value of higher education?
How Student Journey Mapping Improves Enrollment Marketing
When you center your work on what students actually experience you build trust and connection—two things that can lead to improved yield.
You Don’t Have to Dominate to Lead
The traditional model of leadership rewards control and toughness, but it excludes and limits. The future of leadership is grounded in empathy, authenticity, and trust.
What the Future of Higher Ed Marketing Looks Like in an Age of AI
As marketing tools become more automated and predictive, the role of human insight becomes even more critical. The next era of marketing will depend on how well we balance technology with human understanding.