Höre Education Marketing Leader with Chris Rapozo

In this episode of the Education Marketing Leader podcast, I sat down with Yane Nemeroff, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yane-nemeroff/] Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Miami Dade College [https://www.mdc.edu/] and host of the Non-Traditional Scholar Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-non-traditional-scholar-podcast/id1683598462] to talk about how to market to non-traditional students without the fluff. Yane joined me to break down what higher ed marketers need to know about this growing audience. ⚡ Key takeaways: * “Non-traditional” doesn’t mean just parents or veterans. It’s anyone who didn’t go straight from high school to college. * Relevance is everything. Don’t sell the experience — show the outcome. * Collaborate with faculty. Their insight can refine your message. * Real stories convert. Highlight students like Gloria, who went from running a pizza shop to earning her degree and becoming a teacher. * Offer options, not ultimatums — trades and 4-year degrees aren’t enemies. * Platforms matter: Spotify for younger students, Facebook for older ones. * Be honest. Don’t lead with a benefit they may not qualify for. It backfires. This one’s packed with insights for anyone targeting adult learners, career changers, or returning students. To close the episode, Yane said something that stuck with me: “We can’t dangle the carrot and lock it in a cage. Be honest. Be human. These students have been through enough.” 📲 Listen to the full convo today. Follow the Education Marketing Leader podcast and subscribe to catch every new episode. Until next time. ✌️

In this episode of the Education Marketing Leader podcast, I sat down with Jaime Hunt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/], Founder and President at Solve Higher Ed Marketing [https://www.solvehighered.com/] and author of the new book Heart over Hype [https://www.heartoverhypebook.com/buy]. We covered the real work behind building an authentic brand in higher ed. No fluff. Just strategy, leadership, and lessons you can actually use. Here's what we covered in the episode: ✅ What's behind the title "Heart over Hype" Jaime breaks down why emotional connection and trust matter more than flashy campaigns, especially in higher ed. ✅ How to lead change inside your institution She talks about aligning leadership, building coalitions, and how to gain internal buy-in when everyone has an opinion on marketing. ✅ Why higher ed marketing needs a reality check Jaime explains how the pressure to drive enrollment can lead to hype-driven tactics, and how to avoid that trap. ✅ The risks of inauthentic messaging Misalignment between brand promise and student experience? Jaime's been there. She shares how to fix it. ✅ Practical advice for marketers trying to do better work We talk about knowing your audience, measuring what matters, and leading with empathy. This episode is a must-listen if you're juggling leadership expectations, branding constraints, and the pressure to deliver ROI. Listen now and grab a copy of the book today. Follow and subscribe to the Education Marketing Leader podcast with Chris Rapozo [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherrapozo/] for more real conversations with the people shaping higher ed marketing.

The humanities are facing an uphill battle in higher education, with budget cuts and declining enrollments. But are we missing an opportunity? 🤔 In this episode, Kyle Campbell joins host Chris Rapozo to discuss the shifting landscape of SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts for People and the Economy) subjects and how universities can better market them. 🔍 Key Topics Covered: ✅ The missed opportunities in humanities marketing – Why universities are cutting humanities programs at the worst possible time. ✅ AI and the rise of critical thinking – How the humanities are becoming more relevant than ever in an AI-driven world. ✅ The student perspective – Why young people still choose humanities despite job market concerns. ✅ The power of storytelling in marketing humanities – Why raw data isn’t enough and how universities can craft compelling narratives. ✅ Interdisciplinary learning – How schools like the London Interdisciplinary School and Arizona State University are redefining education. ✅ The role of podcasts and digital storytelling – How institutions like Purdue and Syracuse are using alumni stories to boost their brand. 🎯 Actionable Takeaways for Higher Ed Marketers: 🔹 Stop leading with job outcomes – Many students choose humanities for passion and purpose first. Speak to that. 🔹 Invest in experiential marketing – Prospective students need to feel the value of these programs through events, content, and storytelling. 🔹 Create employer-student connections – Feature real employer testimonials alongside student success stories. 🔹 Build interdisciplinary bridges – Partner humanities programs with STEM to show real-world applications. 🔹 Leverage digital platforms – Whether it’s podcasting, YouTube, or immersive online experiences, universities need to meet students where they are. Memorable Quotes: 💡 (04:32) “The number one programming language of the future isn’t Python or Java—it’s English.” – Chris Rapozo 💡 (06:59) “Young people aren’t just looking for careers. They’re looking for meaning, purpose, and passion.” – Kyle Campbell 💡 (10:35) “We need universities to stop treating humanities as expendable when critical thinking is more essential than ever.” – Kyle Campbell 💡 (16:08) “The idea of being a thought leader is that you lead with your thoughts. But too often, thought leadership just repeats the same ideas over and over.” – Kyle Campbell 💡 (20:43) “If humanities students graduate with the ability to create and distribute content effectively, they’ll be miles ahead in the job market.” – Kyle Campbell Resources & Links: 📩 Subscribe to Kyle’s Newsletter: The Education Marketer [https://www.educationmarketer.co.uk/] https://www.educationmarketer.co.uk/ 📌 Follow Kyle on LinkedIn: Kyle Campbell [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyledavecampbell/] Listen to more episodes #HigherEd #EducationMarketing #Humanities #SHAPE #MarketingLeadership #Podcast

Higher Ed Marketing is at a Crossroads The demographic cliff is here. Competition is tougher than ever. Institutions are losing talent to the private sector. So how do we fix it? I sat down with Suzan Brinker [https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanbrinker/], Co-Founder & CEO at VIV Higher Education [https://vivhied.com/] and author of Pass/Fail [https://www.amazon.com/Pass-Fail-Strategic-Leadership-Education/dp/B0DGVCSJGP], to unpack what institutions must do to survive the next decade. Here’s what you need to know: 1. Integrated Growth Planning is Non-Negotiable Most institutions operate in silos: ❌ Academic affairs picks programs in a vacuum ❌ Marketing chases inquiries without strategy ❌ Enrollment pushes deposits without knowing capacity 💡 The Fix: Break down barriers. Align teams under shared goals. Schools that do this will win. 2. Your Brand Isn’t Just a Logo—It’s Culture Most colleges spend millions on brand redesigns. The problem? No one actually believes in them. ✅ A strong brand must be authentic to faculty, staff, & students ✅ Consistency = Trust → If your messaging keeps changing, students & donors walk ✅ Brand is bigger than marketing → It should shape hiring, admissions, and fundraising 3. The Entrepreneurial Mindset Will Separate Winners from Losers Higher ed moves too slow. The schools thriving today? 👉 Northeastern University launched 10+ campuses & grew aggressively 👉 Elon University tripled undergrad enrollment over 20 years ❌ Schools that resist change? They’re in trouble. 4. Lead Where You Are Most institutions don’t have a VP of Cross-Functional Strategy. So be the person who steps up. Ask better strategic questions. Push for alignment across departments. Don’t wait for permission to lead. Listen to the full episode now! Follow & subscribe to The Education Marketing Leader Podcast for more insights. What’s the biggest challenge your institution is facing right now?

The higher ed marketing vendor landscape is shifting—fast. More VC-backed companies. More consolidations. More agencies blending into one another. If you're a higher ed marketer evaluating vendors, you need to know what’s happening behind the scenes. In this episode, I sat down with Kevin Renton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinrenton/], Principal at Electric Kite [https://electrickite.com/] and Publisher at Volt Magazine [https://voltedu.com/], to break it all down. We covered: ✅ The agency and MarTech landscape – Who’s merging, who’s independent, and how it impacts your institution. ✅ The real risk of vendor conflicts – If your agency serves your competitors, how do they prioritize your success? ✅ Essential tech stack decisions for 2025 – CMS, search, CRM—what really matters and what’s just noise. ✅ The rise of solopreneurs and boutique consultancies – Why top in-house higher ed marketers are going out on their own. ✅ Red flags when evaluating vendors – What to watch for in RFPs, sales pitches, and case studies. “In any vendor relationship, look at the case studies and references. The demo means nothing if they can’t show real results.” – Kevin Renton This episode is packed with insights that can help you make smarter vendor decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Give it a listen, and let me know your thoughts! Listen now. ➡️ Follow Education Marketing Leader for more episodes, and subscribe on your favorite platform to stay ahead in higher ed marketing.