The Higher Ed Marketer

The Higher Ed Marketer is centered around marketing professionals in the field of higher education. If you’re looking for real, practical advice on how to level up your marketing game, this is the show for you. Each episode features conversations with some of the best and brightest marketing minds in higher education, discussing the future of marketing, new technologies, and so much more. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The Higher Ed Marketer is a business podcast hosted by Caylor Solutions, with 264 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.

Caylor Solutions hosts The Higher Ed Marketer, a business show with 264 episodes published.

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  The Higher Ed Marketer

  Summer Rewind : Launching a Brand New Website While Being New To Higher Education

  Aug 10, 202638 min

  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 Highlights 02:03 – Transitioning into higher ed and culture shock 07:20 – Building trust through presence and authenticity 10:06 – Why the website redesign was necessary 12:00 – The real challenge, people not technology 13:30 – Creating buy-in across campus stakeholders 15:35 – Moving to a student-first website strategy 22:00 – Leadership growth during major transitions 24:30 – 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.

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  The Higher Ed Marketer

  Enrollment Innovation Before the Funnel: NextGrad Summer Series

  Aug 3, 202635 min

  This summer series 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. ___ Enrollment growth rarely comes from one big idea. James Steen , Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing at Houston Christian University , shares how HCU grew from 268 freshmen to a trajectory of more than 1,100 by methodically improving every stage of the enrollment funnel. He explains how the university's name change expanded its reach, how direct admission partnerships flip the traditional recruitment process, and why media in local high schools create a new opportunity to build awareness before students ever inquire. ___ What We Cover in This Episode Why sustainable enrollment growth depends on improving hundreds of small details across the funnel What Houston Christian University learned from changing its name after 60 years How guaranteed admission partnerships turn qualified high school seniors into applicants Why in-school media helps institutions reach students before the traditional funnel begins How to measure brand awareness through applications, conversions, admits, and enrollment ___ Episode Highlights 05:10 How HCU grew from 268 freshmen toward a class of more than 1,100 13:40 Why Texas' school phone restrictions made in-school digital billboards more valuable 18:40 Creating motion ads and dedicated landing pages for students walking between classes 22:36 Connecting early brand awareness to application growth and downstream enrollment 24:28 Why more inquiries only matter when conversion and completion rates improve 28:29 Using school-level STEM data to target engineering scholarship campaigns 30:07 Why enrollment leaders must keep testing, measuring, and pivoting 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.

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  The Higher Ed Marketer

  Why Trust Is Your Enrollment Strategy - NextGrad Summer Series

  Jul 27, 202621 min

  This summer series 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. ___ As technology continues to transform how students search for colleges, trust has become higher education's greatest competitive advantage. Derek Riordan , Digital Marketing Strategist at Southeast Missouri State University , shares how institutions can build authentic brand influence through strategic storytelling, AI-ready content, and meaningful student experiences that earn confidence long before application season. ___ What We Cover in This Episode Why trust is becoming the foundation of higher education marketing How early brand influence shapes enrollment decisions years before students apply The growing role of AI, SEO, and Answer Engine Optimization in college search Why storytelling and student outcomes must work together to strengthen enrollment marketing Practical strategies for creating authentic campaigns that resonate with students, parents, and AI search tools ___ ️ Episode Highlights 01:10 Why universities must build trust in an AI-driven enrollment environment 11:32 How SEMO is preparing for AI search with SEO-focused content and blogs 13:55 Creating highly specific content that matches how students search with AI 15:20 Using AI as a productivity tool without sacrificing authentic human connection 25:38 Why authentic student experiences must match institutional marketing promises 27:21 Derek's advice for enrollment marketers, build brand awareness early and create integrated campaigns ___ 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.

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  The Higher Ed Marketer

  What Higher Ed Communications Can Learn From the Newsroom - NextGrad Summer Series

  Jul 21, 202634 min

  This summer series 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. ___ Higher education has no shortage of great stories, but too many institutions struggle to tell them in ways that capture attention and build long-term trust. Dave Murray , Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at Ferris State University , shares how his career as a press secretary and journalist shaped a newsroom mindset that has transformed how Ferris communicates with prospective students, alumni, and the media. From creating one newsworthy story every day to building authentic relationships with reporters, Dave explains why consistent storytelling is one of the most powerful enrollment and reputation strategies an institution can adopt. ___ What We Cover in This Episode Why higher education should think like a newsroom instead of a press office. How daily storytelling strengthens institutional reputation over time. The role of photography, human interest, and career outcomes in effective storytelling. How NextGrad and other marketing channels reinforce earned media and enrollment success. ___ Episode Highlights 08:20 The newsroom formula for stories reporters will publish 13:55 Why one quality story every day changes institutional visibility 19:10 Building reputation before a crisis happens 22:05 Connecting storytelling, enrollment marketing, and the NextGrad strategy 26:10 Building trusted relationships with local media 29:20 Why the best stories happen outside your office ___ 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.

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  The Higher Ed Marketer

  Next Grad Summer Series: Reaching Students Before The Funnel

  Jul 13, 202631 min

  This summer series 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. __ What if the biggest opportunity to influence prospective students happens long before they ever become an inquiry? Harrison “Soup” Campbell , Chief Growth Officer at NextGrad , joins us to discuss why colleges and universities need to rethink traditional enrollment marketing strategies. Drawing on his experience in admissions leadership and his new executive role at NextGrad, Soup explains why building brand awareness inside high schools is becoming one of the most effective ways to connect with future students. ___ What We Cover in This Episode 🔘Why colleges should begin building relationships with students well before their junior and senior years. 🔘How in-school media is creating new opportunities for authentic brand awareness. 🔘Why digital marketing alone is no longer enough in an AI-driven landscape. 🔘How NextGrad helps colleges reach students where they spend their time every day. 🔘Practical Advice for building a long-term enrollment marketing strategy. ___ Episode Highlights 01:15 - Soup shares his unconventional journey from educator to higher education leader. 08:00 - Why colleges need to prioritize awareness before the inquiry stage. 11:20 - Research showing how early brand awareness influences college applications. 16:00 - How NextGrad's in-school media network helps colleges reach students every day. 19:00 - Why high schools remain one of the most valuable environments for student engagement. 22:15 - The growing impact of AI on digital advertising and why marketers should diversify their outreach. ___ 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.

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