Higher Ed Conversations

Join host and CEO of GradComm, Cheryl Broom as she sits down with higher education experts to discuss trends in marketing, communications, advancement and student success.

Higher Ed Conversations is a education podcast hosted by Cheryl Broom, with 84 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Cheryl Broom hosts Higher Ed Conversations, a education show with 84 episodes published.

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  Episode #83

  Ep 83: Quick Take: Not All Students Scroll the Same

  Aug 17, 202615 minS1

  The strongest college marketing doesn’t start with a platform. It starts with understanding the people you’re trying to reach because, let’s face it, not all students scroll the same. In this Quick Take, GradComm CEO and Higher Ed Conversations host Cheryl Broom digs into data from nearly 4,000 students and $2 million in digital media spending to uncover how age, lifestyle, and personal goals shape what messages students need to hear, where they look for information, and what can get in the way of enrollment. Using the three T’s of college marketing- target, transformation, and tactics- as a framework, Cheryl breaks down why reaching different student audiences on the right platforms is only part of the equation. What You'll Learn: How younger and older students differ in the messages they need to hear and the media they use. Which platforms and creative approaches are performing across different age groups. How authentic student voices and platform-native content can drive stronger results. Where operational barriers can undermine even the strongest marketing campaign. Thanks for listening! Connect with GradComm: Instagram: @gradcommunications Facebook: @GradCommunications LinkedIn: @gradcomm Send us a message: GradComm.com Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

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  Episode #82

  Ep 82: Why Higher Ed Leaders Should Show Up on LinkedIn

  Aug 2, 202630 minS1

  LinkedIn has become one of the most valuable tools for professional networking and thought leadership, yet many higher education leaders are still using it like a bulletin board instead of a place to build relationships. In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom talks with Greg Star, entrepreneur and founder of Driven Authentic Branding Solutions (DABS), about how college leaders can use LinkedIn to strengthen their professional connections and support the institutions they serve. Greg shares how he used his personal LinkedIn account to grow his own company, why personal posts often outperform company updates, and how college presidents, marketing directors, faculty, and development teams can use LinkedIn to share their expertise, tell meaningful stories, and communicate the value of their work. Cheryl and Greg also discuss authenticity, AI, personal branding, and why the best LinkedIn content often comes from the stories leaders are already telling in everyday conversations. What You’ll Learn: How personal storytelling can strengthen a college’s brand and community presence Why presidents and senior leaders should be visible on LinkedIn How colleges can use LinkedIn to connect with donors, employers, students, and community stakeholders Why authenticity matters more than polished corporate messaging How AI tools like Claude can support writing without replacing a leader’s voice Thanks for listening! Connect with GradComm: Instagram: @gradcommunications Facebook: @GradCommunications LinkedIn: @gradcomm Send us a message: GradComm.com Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

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  Episode #81

  Ep 81: Quick Take: The Three T's Behind Better College Marketing

  Jul 15, 202612 minS1

  College marketing takes more than announcing the launch of a new program and hoping students will show up. In this Quick Take episode, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom shares her strategic framework for developing successful college marketing campaigns: the Three T's of College Marketing. Cheryl explains why effective campaigns first identify the right target audience, second build messaging around the transformation students are seeking, and third choose the tactics that will best reach them. From high school students and entry-level workers to adult learners, career changers, veterans, and first-generation college students, this episode explores how colleges can move beyond generic messaging and create marketing that speaks directly to the audiences they want to reach. What You’ll Learn: Why identifying the right target audience is the foundation of effective college marketing How different programs attract different types of students Why transformation should be at the center of your college marketing message The importance of making the student the hero of your marketing message How to choose the right marketing tactics based on your audience and goals Thanks for listening! Connect with GradComm: Instagram: @gradcommunications Facebook: @GradCommunications LinkedIn: @gradcomm Send us a message: GradComm.com Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

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  Episode #80

  Ep 80: Why Community College Isn't Plan A

  Jul 1, 202630 minS1

  For many students, community college isn't Plan A. In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, host Cheryl Broom sits down with GradComm interns Mariana Rosas and Alexis Cabrera to discuss their unexpected paths to community college and how those decisions ultimately opened doors they never anticipated. Mariana shares why she walked away from a four-year university after orientation, eventually finding a pathway that led her to UCLA. Alexis reflects on how changing plans led him from culinary school and out-of-state universities to community college, where he discovered opportunities that helped shape his future. Together, they explore what these experiences reveal about how community colleges communicate their value and what institutions can do to help more students see community college as a first-choice option. From campus life and internships to high school outreach and social media, this conversation offers practical insights for higher education marketers looking to better connect with prospective students. What You’ll Learn: Why community college is often viewed as a backup option. How affordability and flexibility can support students' long-term goals. Why showcasing campus life, internships, and student experiences matters. Why colleges can't assume students are learning enough about community college opportunities in high school. How storytelling and visibility can help position community college as a first-choice option. Thanks for listening! Connect with GradComm: Instagram: @gradcommunications Facebook: @GradCommunications LinkedIn: @gradcomm Send us a message: GradComm.com Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

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  Episode #79

  Ep 79: Quick Take: Higher Ed Has a Math Problem

  Jun 16, 202611 minS1

  Higher education is facing a numbers problem, but the solution isn’t just about finding more students. In this Quick Take episode, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom explores the three major forces reshaping higher education: changing demographics, evolving student expectations, and declining public confidence. With fewer high school graduates entering the pipeline and more colleges competing for those students, institutions must rethink how they attract, engage, and support learners. Cheryl breaks down why the “enrollment cliff” is actually a long-term demographic shift, why adult learners represent a major opportunity for colleges, and why rebuilding trust requires more than talking about affordability and degrees. What You’ll Learn: Why the enrollment cliff is really a gradual demographic shift How adult learners are changing the higher ed landscape Why trust in higher education matters for enrollment success How colleges can rethink messaging around value and outcomes Why the student experience is becoming the next competitive advantage Thanks for listening! Connect with GradComm: Instagram: @gradcommunications Facebook: @GradCommunications LinkedIn: @gradcomm Send us a message: GradComm.com Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

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