Ep. 80: Proving the Promise: Reframing the Value of College with Maniacal Transparency

Jaime Hunt welcomes Dale Leatherwood, Chief Marketing Officer at Columbia Southern University, to explore one of the most pressing issues in higher ed today: the public’s shifting perception of the value of a college degree. Together, they dig into the real drivers behind skepticism—not the return, but the investment—and unpack how institutions can better align academic offerings, improve cost transparency, and reclaim the narrative around higher ed's true impact.

Columbia Southern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees and certificates. Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.

Guest Name: Dale Leatherwood, Chief Marketing Officer, Columbia Southern University

Guest Social: linkedin.com/in/daleleatherwood

Guest Bio: Dale Leatherwood is the Chief Marketing Officer for Columbia Southern University, and is in his 27th year of marketing and executive experience in training and higher education. Prior to joining Columbia Southern University, Dale was the vice president of brand, public relations and communications for American Public Education and was VP of marketing for Rasmussen University before its acquisition by APEI. During his extensive career, Dale has been a marketing executive for both colleges and higher-education focused marketing agencies, and has developed and led two online college campuses. In addition, he has served as a consultant with several universities on marketing and distance-learning initiatives while co-founding an education concierge firm serving working professionals seeking an online degree. Dale earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from Coker University and an MBA with a marketing concentration from Regis University.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jaime Hunt
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/
https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMC

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Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

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