Jeff Kallay

In this episode, we dig into the results of a fresh survey from Niche, exploring the campus visit from the perspective of students and parents. Joining the conversation is Will Patch, Senior Enrollment Insights leader at Niche, and Jeff Kallay, SVP of Enrollment Consulting at Echo Delta and leading campus visit expert.  We explore:  The experiences students want to have most and least during their campus visit Expectations parents have for the visit, and Practical ideas on how to lower barriers so that more students can participate in your visit program.  

In this episode, we dig into the results of a fresh survey from Niche, exploring the campus visit from the perspective of students and parents. Joining the conversation is Will Patch, Senior Enrollment Insights leader at Niche, and Jeff Kallay, SVP of Enrollment Consulting at Echo Delta and leading campus visit expert. We explore: <ul> <li>The experiences students want to have most and least during their campus visit</li> <li>Expectations parents have for the visit, and</li> <li>Practical ideas on how to lower barriers so that more students can participate in your visit program. </li> </ul>

Optimizing the Campus Visit with Will Patch and Jeff Kallay

Chris Sietsema

Analytics expert Chris Sietsema of Teach to Fish Digital gives us an update on the current state of Google Analytics 4 (GA4). We discuss some of the most important differences between Universal Analytics and GA4, and some of the ways the switch to GA4 has already impacted higher ed marketers. We wrap up with some of Chris’s favorite GA4 resources.

Analytics expert Chris Sietsema of Teach to Fish Digital gives us an update on the current state of Google Analytics 4 (GA4). We discuss some of the most important differences between Universal Analytics and GA4, and some of the ways the switch to GA4 has already impacted higher ed marketers. We wrap up with some of Chris’s favorite GA4 resources.

Countdown to Google Analytics 4 with Chris Sietsema

We talk with Rod Guajardo, Senior Director for Integrated Media Communications at the University of Georgia about how the university has been using Reddit to reach new audiences with science and research content.

We talk with Rod Guajardo, Senior Director for Integrated Media Communications at the University of Georgia about how the university has been using Reddit to reach new audiences with science and research content.

Engaging New Audiences on Reddit at the University of Georgia

Jennifer Holland

Many institutions include brand building in their strategic plans, but making those aspirations and reality is often challenging. Brand development expert, Jennifer Holland, argues the best way to build an enduring brand is to create strong alignment between organizational, marketing, and people strategies.  We discuss:  the vital importance of having deep internal buy-in on what your brand stands for.  the right way to balance inside out versus outside in thinking when developing a brand.   Jennifer's approach to hardwiring a brand into an organization so that frontline employees stay engaged and focused on the brand.  

Many institutions include brand building in their strategic plans, but making those aspirations and reality is often challenging. Brand development expert, Jennifer Holland, argues the best way to build an enduring brand is to create strong alignment between organizational, marketing, and people strategies. We discuss: <ul> <li>the vital importance of having deep internal buy-in on what your brand stands for.</li> <li> the right way to balance inside out versus outside in thinking when developing a brand. </li> <li> Jennifer's approach to hardwiring a brand into an organization so that frontline employees stay engaged and focused on the brand. </li> </ul>

Building People-Powered Brands with Jennifer Holland

The campus visit is a make-or-break moment for traditional undergrads, but as campuses have emerged from the pandemic, the return to campus tours has been anything but business as usual. In this episode, we talk with leading campus visit consultant, Jeff Kallay, about the current state of the campus visit and what's on his mind for the road ahead.   We discuss:   How pandemic fatigue has impacted students and the way they view the residential experience Strategies for recruiting and retaining campus tour guides What prospective families are most eager to learn about on your tour (it's academics) The trend towards fewer pre-app visits. 

The campus visit is a make-or-break moment for traditional undergrads, but as campuses have emerged from the pandemic, the return to campus tours has been anything but business as usual. In this episode, we talk with leading campus visit consultant, Jeff Kallay, about the current state of the campus visit and what's on his mind for the road ahead.  We discuss:  <ul> <li>How pandemic fatigue has impacted students and the way they view the residential experience</li> <li>Strategies for recruiting and retaining campus tour guides</li> <li>What prospective families are most eager to learn about on your tour (it's academics)</li> <li>The trend towards fewer pre-app visits.</li> </ul>

The State of the Campus Visit with Jeff Kallay

Diversity, equity, and inclusion is top of mind for many higher ed marketers, but figuring out the practical side of applying DEI concepts to the actual creative work marketing teams produce is often easier said than done. In this episode, we'll hear from two marketing leaders at the University of St. Thomas - Minnesota who have a unique perspective on how to make it less intimidating and more actionable.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion is top of mind for many higher ed marketers, but figuring out the practical side of applying DEI concepts to the actual creative work marketing teams produce is often easier said than done. In this episode, we'll hear from two marketing leaders at the University of St. Thomas - Minnesota who have a unique perspective on how to make it less intimidating and more actionable.

Making DEI Practical at University of St. Thomas

Marketing leaders at the University of Texas-San Antonio share how innovations they made during COVID ended up transforming the way their university's decentralized marketing teams work.

Fostering Collaboration Across Decentralized Marketing Teams at UT San Antonio

We talk with Dr. Chuck Bamford about crafting smart competitive strategies to differentiate your school in a crowded marketplace. 

We talk with Dr. Chuck Bamford about crafting smart competitive strategies to differentiate your school in a crowded marketplace.

Differentiating Your School Through Smart Strategy

In the fourth and final episode of our VP Summer Series, we talk with Kevin Kropf, EVP of Enrollment at Drury University, about generational theory and managing teams that span multiple generations.

In the fourth and final episode of our VP Summer Series, we talk with Kevin Kropf, EVP of Enrollment at Drury University, about generational theory and managing teams that span multiple generations.

Managing a Team That Spans Four Generations

In part three of our VP Summer Series, we talk with Brad Pochard, AVP for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions at Furman University, about building collaborative relationships with colleagues across the campus. 

In part three of our VP Summer Series, we talk with Brad Pochard, AVP for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions at Furman University, about building collaborative relationships with colleagues across the campus.

How to Win Faculty and Influence Staff (and Athletics)

Engage with some of the brightest minds in marketing and higher education to uncover practical insights you can use to level up your institution’s marketing and enrollment efforts.

Great quality podcast with topics that are relevant for both leaders and practitioners in Marketing. Its rare to find a source that has content that is appealing to both.  Great resource for professionals in college marketing!

Associate Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Community Relations

Easy to listen to and a lot of helpful information. I subscribed for more in the future.

Marketing

Higher Ed Marketing Lab

The campus visit remains one of the most impactful moments in the college decision process, and there’s probably no one who knows more about the campus visit experience than Jeff Kallay, Principal of Render Experiences. His work on campus visits has been featured in numerous publications including the Chronicle of Higher Education, University Business Magazine, and the New York Times, and we were lucky enough to have him join us on the Higher Ed Marketing Lab podcast to share some of his best insights. We cover:  why our complex digital world makes the campus visit more important, not less how Gen Z and their Gen X parents present new and interesting challenges to recruiters why rock star students don't always make rock star embassadors, and why your guides should never, ever talk and walk backwards.   http://www.renderexperiences.com/

The campus visit remains one of the most impactful moments in the college decision process, and there’s probably no one who knows more about the campus visit experience than Jeff Kallay, Principal of Render Experiences. His work on campus visits has been featured in numerous publications including the Chronicle of Higher Education, University Business Magazine, and the New York Times, and we were lucky enough to have him join us on the Higher Ed Marketing Lab podcast to share some of his best insights. We cover: <ul> <li>why our complex digital world makes the campus visit more important, not less</li> <li>how Gen Z and their Gen X parents present new and interesting challenges to recruiters</li> <li>why rock star students don't always make rock star embassadors, and</li> <li>why your guides should never, ever talk and walk backwards. </li> </ul> <a href="http://www.renderexperiences.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.renderexperiences.com/</a>

Optimizing the Campus Visit with Jeff Kallay

Small, private liberal arts colleges face significant headwinds as they try to grow enrollment. Despite these challenges, University of the Ozarks, Arkansas' oldest private liberal arts university, has managed to buck this trend. In part one of this two-part episode, we talk with Reggie Hill, Vice President of Marketing and Enrollment at Ozarks, and Amy Lloyd, Director of Marketing. We touch on how Ozarks has better aligned marketing and enrollment, how they've taken smart, calculated risks in promoting the university, and we dive deep into the specific strategies they use to stay connected to the younger generation they hope to reach. Links: ozarks.edu echodelta.co/podcast

Small, private liberal arts colleges face significant headwinds as they try to grow enrollment. Despite these challenges, University of the Ozarks, Arkansas' oldest private liberal arts university, has managed to buck this trend. In part one of this two-part episode, we talk with Reggie Hill, Vice President of Marketing and Enrollment at Ozarks, and Amy Lloyd, Director of Marketing. We touch on how Ozarks has better aligned marketing and enrollment, how they've taken smart, calculated risks in promoting the university, and we dive deep into the specific strategies they use to stay connected to the younger generation they hope to reach. Links: <a href="https://ozarks.edu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ozarks.edu</a> <a href="https://echodelta.co/blog/in/podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">echodelta.co/podcast</a>

Growing Enrollment at University of the Ozarks (Part 1)

We’ll be diverging a bit from our usual discussion around higher ed marketing to talk about leadership, which is a topic relevant to anyone who has to work with and through others. Joining us in that conversation is retired Air Force Major General, H. D. “Jake” Polumbo. Over his 34 year career in the Air Force, General Polumbo acquired a great deal of wisdom around how to lead and manage others, even under the most challenging circumstances. We talk about  why leaders need to demonstrate compassion for their team the importance of leaders publicly owning up to mistakes tips for making decisions with limited information why character and integrity are essential for any leader.  Near the end of the episode, I explain how you can get a signed copy of his book, Leadership at 30,000 Feet for free.  General Polumbo is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and over his career he has served in numerous positions of leadership around globe. He holds the distinction as the first and only U.S. Air Force general officer to fly the U2S in combat, completing twenty-one missions in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He is a co-founder of Two Blue Aces, a leadership and strategy consulting firm, and he currently sits on the Aviation Advisory Boards for the Business School of Hawaii Pacific University and Southeastern University, and assists with the operation of the Advanced Mobility Institute at Florida Polytechnic University. Links: twoblueaces.com Amazon:  Leadership at 30,000 Feet

We’ll be diverging a bit from our usual discussion around higher ed marketing to talk about leadership, which is a topic relevant to anyone who has to work with and through others. Joining us in that conversation is retired Air Force Major General, H. D. “Jake” Polumbo. Over his 34 year career in the Air Force, General Polumbo acquired a great deal of wisdom around how to lead and manage others, even under the most challenging circumstances. We talk about <ul> <li>why leaders need to demonstrate compassion for their team</li> <li>the importance of leaders publicly owning up to mistakes</li> <li>tips for making decisions with limited information</li> <li>why character and integrity are essential for any leader.</li> </ul> Near the end of the episode, I explain how you can get a signed copy of his book, Leadership at 30,000 Feet for free.  General Polumbo is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and over his career he has served in numerous positions of leadership around globe. He holds the distinction as the first and only U.S. Air Force general officer to fly the U2S in combat, completing twenty-one missions in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He is a co-founder of Two Blue Aces, a leadership and strategy consulting firm, and he currently sits on the Aviation Advisory Boards for the Business School of Hawaii Pacific University and Southeastern University, and assists with the operation of the Advanced Mobility Institute at Florida Polytechnic University. Links: <a href="twoblueaces.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">twoblueaces.com</a> Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1090451423/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Leadership at 30,000 Feet</a>

Leading with Compassion and Character with General H. D. “Jake” Polumbo

Marketers and enrollment managers are swimming in data, but making it digestible and actionable is easier said than done. In this episode, we talk with Ken Reaves, Director of Research and Strategic Projects at Southeastern University. Ken is an expert when it comes to combining hardcore data and research with creative storytelling, and he's got tons of advice for anybody looking to make their data more compelling and actionable. We discuss:  synergies between marketing and institutional research the specific techniques and thought processes he follows to create compelling, story-driven narratives that bring numbers to life potential pitfalls associated with data-driven decision making how to nurture a more data-driven culture.  As always, show notes for this episode and others can be found at echodelta.co/podcast.  Links: seu.edu

Marketers and enrollment managers are swimming in data, but making it digestible and actionable is easier said than done. In this episode, we talk with Ken Reaves, Director of Research and Strategic Projects at Southeastern University. Ken is an expert when it comes to combining hardcore data and research with creative storytelling, and he's got tons of advice for anybody looking to make their data more compelling and actionable. We discuss: <ul> <li>synergies between marketing and institutional research</li> <li>the specific techniques and thought processes he follows to create compelling, story-driven narratives that bring numbers to life</li> <li>potential pitfalls associated with data-driven decision making</li> <li>how to nurture a more data-driven culture.</li> </ul> As always, show notes for this episode and others can be found at <a href="https://echodelta.co/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">echodelta.co/podcast</a>.  Links: <a href="https://www.seu.edu/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">seu.edu</a>

Making Data Meaningful at Southeastern University

Historically, CRMs have been seen as a tool for Admissions, but today's CRMs are capable of so much more. In this episode, Kris Hardy, Director of Web and Digital Marketing at Messiah College, stops by to share how the school's CRM has transformed their digital marketing efforts. We discuss:  How the CRM has changed the way the marketing team interacts with their colleagues in other departments Specific challenges the Messiah team encountered as they began rolling out larger volumes of personalized, automated communication Smart tactics they've implemented on their website around personalization and how they gather leads.  Connect with Kris Hardy: twitter.com/krishardy83 Website: messiah.edu

Historically, CRMs have been seen as a tool for Admissions, but today's CRMs are capable of so much more. In this episode, Kris Hardy, Director of Web and Digital Marketing at Messiah College, stops by to share how the school's CRM has transformed their digital marketing efforts. We discuss: <ul> <li>How the CRM has changed the way the marketing team interacts with their colleagues in other departments</li> <li>Specific challenges the Messiah team encountered as they began rolling out larger volumes of personalized, automated communication</li> <li>Smart tactics they've implemented on their website around personalization and how they gather leads.</li> </ul> Connect with Kris Hardy: <a href="https://twitter.com/krishardy83" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">twitter.com/krishardy83</a> Website: <a href="messiah.edu" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">messiah.edu</a>

CRM-Powered Digital Marketing at Messiah College

This is part two of a two-part episode in which we explore how the University of the Ozarks, a small, private, liberal arts university in rural Arkansas, has managed to consistently grow enrollment despite the challenges facing small private schools.   In this episode, Reggie Hill, Vice President of Marketing and enrollment at the University of the Ozarks and Amy Lloyd, Ozarks' Director of Marketing, continue to dig into the key factors that have allowed their institution to thrive; and in one case, generate a 30 percent year-over-year increase in enrollment. We hear what Amy learned when she started attending recruitment events, and how Ozarks has focused the recruitment and marketing activities for maximum impact, which included foregoing a traditional view book and replacing it with something else designed to generate even more impact. We wrap up by hearing how Amy and Reggie, productively, approach internal resistance to new ideas and how they focused on the long game. This was an incredible conversation that, I hope, will both inspire and challenge you as you think about your own marketing and enrollment efforts.  Links: ozarks.edu echodelta.co/podcast

This is part two of a two-part episode in which we explore how the University of the Ozarks, a small, private, liberal arts university in rural Arkansas, has managed to consistently grow enrollment despite the challenges facing small private schools.  In this episode, Reggie Hill, Vice President of Marketing and enrollment at the University of the Ozarks and Amy Lloyd, Ozarks' Director of Marketing, continue to dig into the key factors that have allowed their institution to thrive; and in one case, generate a 30 percent year-over-year increase in enrollment. We hear what Amy learned when she started attending recruitment events, and how Ozarks has focused the recruitment and marketing activities for maximum impact, which included foregoing a traditional view book and replacing it with something else designed to generate even more impact. We wrap up by hearing how Amy and Reggie, productively, approach internal resistance to new ideas and how they focused on the long game. This was an incredible conversation that, I hope, will both inspire and challenge you as you think about your own marketing and enrollment efforts.  Links: <a href="https://ozarks.edu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ozarks.edu</a> <a href="https://echodelta.co/blog/in/podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">echodelta.co/podcast</a>

Growing Enrollment at University of the Ozarks (Part 2)

Daniel Lemin

Research suggests roughly 75% of students use word of mouth to help determine what school to attend, yet few schools have an intentional strategy for generating positive word of mouth.   In this episode, we talk with Daniel Lemin, co-author along with Jay Baer of a new book on the topic called Talk Triggers. Daniel lays out an actionable framework higher ed marketers can use to create the kinds of unique and memorable talk triggers students can't help sharing.  We discuss:  What makes for a great talk trigger (hint: it's not about having a flashy gimmick) How to systematically create and evaluate your own unique talk triggers Lots of higher ed-specific examples to get your wheels turning.   Connect with Daniel: Websites: talktriggers.com and daniellemin.com

Research suggests roughly 75% of students use word of mouth to help determine what school to attend, yet few schools have an intentional strategy for generating positive word of mouth.   In this episode, we talk with Daniel Lemin, co-author along with Jay Baer of a new book on the topic called Talk Triggers. Daniel lays out an actionable framework higher ed marketers can use to create the kinds of unique and memorable talk triggers students can't help sharing.  We discuss: <ul> <li>What makes for a great talk trigger (hint: it's not about having a flashy gimmick)</li> <li>How to systematically create and evaluate your own unique talk triggers</li> <li>Lots of higher ed-specific examples to get your wheels turning. </li> </ul> Connect with Daniel: Websites: <a href="https://www.talktriggers.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">talktriggers.com</a> and <a href="http://www.daniellemin.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">daniellemin.com</a>

Engineering Word of Mouth with Daniel Lemin

Jason Buzzell is Director of Digital Communications at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. I met up with Jason at the 2019 eduWeb conference to reflect on some of the most interesting ideas and themes we encountered at this year’s conference. We discussed:  How to humanize digital experiences (which was the topic of a talk Jason delivered). We talked about why today’s students place such a high priority on authenticity and how schools are attempting to provide it. Some of the more interesting findings from RNL’s 2019 E-Expectations report, which was presented at the conference.   Connect with Jason on Twitter @buzzilinear. 

Jason Buzzell is Director of Digital Communications at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. I met up with Jason at the 2019 eduWeb conference to reflect on some of the most interesting ideas and themes we encountered at this year’s conference. We discussed: <ul> <li>How to humanize digital experiences (which was the topic of a talk Jason delivered).</li> <li>We talked about why today’s students place such a high priority on authenticity and how schools are attempting to provide it.</li> <li>Some of the more interesting findings from RNL’s 2019 E-Expectations report, which was presented at the conference. </li> </ul> Connect with Jason on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/buzzilinear" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@buzzilinear</a>.

Humanizing the Digital Experience and more from eduWeb2019

Barbara Pierce

If you've ever felt that public relations was a mysterious black box, then this episode is for you. We discuss public relations for higher ed with Barbara Pierce, president of Tipping Point Communications. Barbara has over 25 years experience leading global, national, and regional public relations initiatives, and she's worked extensively in higher education. We start by hearing Barbara's favorite definition of public relations, and then we jump into the major shifts that have drastically changed how PR is practiced in recent years. Barbara shares her insights into how marketing and PR teams can become better aligned, and she gives actionable advice on how schools can increase the odds of getting their stories picked up by media outlets. Towards the end of our discussion, we talk about how schools can better prepare for crisis communication scenarios before they happen.  Show notes and transcript: https://echodelta.co/blog/a-public-relations-primer-with-barbara-pierce Tipping Point's website: https://www.tippingpointcomm.com/

If you've ever felt that public relations was a mysterious black box, then this episode is for you. We discuss public relations for higher ed with Barbara Pierce, president of Tipping Point Communications. Barbara has over 25 years experience leading global, national, and regional public relations initiatives, and she's worked extensively in higher education. We start by hearing Barbara's favorite definition of public relations, and then we jump into the major shifts that have drastically changed how PR is practiced in recent years. Barbara shares her insights into how marketing and PR teams can become better aligned, and she gives actionable advice on how schools can increase the odds of getting their stories picked up by media outlets. Towards the end of our discussion, we talk about how schools can better prepare for crisis communication scenarios before they happen. Show notes and transcript: <a href="https://echodelta.co/blog/a-public-relations-primer-with-barbara-pierce" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://echodelta.co/blog/a-public-relations-primer-with-barbara-pierce</a> Tipping Point's website: <a href="https://www.tippingpointcomm.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.tippingpointcomm.com/</a>

A Public Relations Primer with Barbara Pierce

Rebecca Stapley

In this episode, we’ll be talking about social media, and specifically, what do when you suspect it’s time to sunset a social media account that’s outlived its usefulness.  Joining us in the conversation is Rebecca Stapley. As former Assistant Director of Social Media at Nazareth College, Rebecca has first hand experience managing social media at her school and engaging with colleagues in other departments who want to or maybe already are running their own accounts on behalf of the school.  You’ll hear from Rebecca about:  The key questions internal teams should asking BEFORE they start a new social account How to approach colleagues when you suspect their social media accounts could use some help and how to do so in a way that minimizes defensiveness And the specific process she used to wind down a set of alumni social media accounts at Nazareth College and integrate them into the school’s main account. 

In this episode, we’ll be talking about social media, and specifically, what do when you suspect it’s time to sunset a social media account that’s outlived its usefulness.  Joining us in the conversation is Rebecca Stapley. As former Assistant Director of Social Media at Nazareth College, Rebecca has first hand experience managing social media at her school and engaging with colleagues in other departments who want to or maybe already are running their own accounts on behalf of the school.  You’ll hear from Rebecca about: <ul> <li>The key questions internal teams should asking BEFORE they start a new social account</li> <li>How to approach colleagues when you suspect their social media accounts could use some help and how to do so in a way that minimizes defensiveness</li> <li>And the specific process she used to wind down a set of alumni social media accounts at Nazareth College and integrate them into the school’s main account.</li> </ul>

How to Gracefully Sunset a Tired Social Media Account with Rebecca Stapley

The best podcast episodes about true crime. For any thrill seeking podcast listeners who just can't get enough of the captivating stories of murderers and criminals. This topic has all the best episodes from many different true crime podcasts.  Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best True Crime Podcasts

The best podcasts about ourselves as well as the world through the lense of Science. Specific topics include things about our brain, emotions to biology, physics and more!