Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO — with Jaime Hunt

In this episode of our podcast, Jaime Hunt is joined by Patricia Maben and Jim Rogers from 3 Enrollment Marketing to discuss the transformative power of the experience economy within higher education. Patricia and Jim provide actionable advice for institutions to reimagine their approach to student engagement, emphasizing the importance of every interaction on campus from the classroom to extracurricular activities.Topics discussed in this episode include:how institutions can create memorable and effective experiences that go beyond traditional recruitment methods.innovative strategies to enhance campus tours, engage students, and ultimately, increase retention and success rates. examples of schools that excel in creating dynamic environments that captivate students.the challenges and opportunities presented by the current shifts in higher education, including the need for schools to adapt to the rising expectations of the experience economy. Guest Names:Patricia Maben, President and Co-Founder of 3Enrollment MarketingJim Rogers, CEO and Co-Founder of 3Enrollment MarketingGuest Social: Patricia Maben - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciamaben/Jim Rogers - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrogers2022/Guest Bios: Patricia Maben - With 30 years of professional experience in higher education, it is Patricia Maben’s passion to support colleges and universities through the success of their students from recruitment to graduation. Her career in enrollment management has been fueled by the recognition, experience, and satisfaction that higher education has a transformational impact on individuals, communities, and society. She has served as an on-campus enrollment practitioner, an enrollment marketing consultant, and as a builder of innovative enrollment marketing solutions. Patricia is a subject matter expert in recruitment marketing. She co-founded 3 Enrollment Marketing to address the need she saw for a better solution in helping enrollment leaders meet student needs while also managing the growing complexities of recruitment.Jim Rogers - James (Jim) Rogers brings three decades of experience in modern marketing strategy and execution to the helm of 3 Enrollment Marketing. He has a unique ability to foresee future trends and evolve with technology—while always keeping it connected to core goals and strategy. Jim is passionate about the power of higher education to transform individual lives and society, and he brings his experience in harnessing the power of modern marketing to advance the cause of higher ed. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network: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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this episode, host Jaime Hunt sits down with J-S. Stansel, founder of Saturn 9 Media and former social media manager at the University of Central Arkansas, to explore the landscape of social media management both inside and outside higher education. In this episode, J.S. and Jaime discuss:The transition from higher ed to managing social media for major entertainment brands like Amazon Prime Video and the Avatar franchise.The complexities and nuances of using humor in social media, including the risks and rewards.The importance of social listening and how it can transform marketing strategies.The universal challenges faced by social media managers, such as dealing with silos, micromanagement, and the undervaluation of their roles.Listeners will gain valuable insights into how social media can be a powerful tool for engagement, the critical need for higher ed institutions to stay current with social trends, and the importance of empowering social media managers with the resources they need. Guest Name: Jon-Stephen Stansel, founder of Saturn 9 MediaGuest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsstansel/Guest Bio: Jon-Stephen Stansel is an award winning social media professional with over a decade of experience managing, building, and creating content for brand social media accounts. He has run social media accounts for Amazon Prime's Invincible animated series, Hyper RPG, Better Place Forests, the University of Central Arkansas, Texas State University, the Texas Department of Transportation, as well as consulting for many television series, films, and small businesses. As Director of Social Media for Chaotic Good studios, Jon-Stephen worked on social media strategy and content for AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER and Amazon Prime Video’s LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER among several other major entertainment franchises.In addition, he has taught courses in social media management and presented at many national and international conferences including HighEd Web, PSEWeb, the International Congress of Technological Innovation in Buenos Aires, and the Association of International Educators. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Radio and Television Production and a Master's degree in English both from Arkansas State University. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network: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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this Bonus announcement, join Mallory, Chief Strategist of Enrollify, as she introduces the newly relaunched Enrollify.org. This episode highlights the fresh features and content now available on the site, emphasizing Enrollify’s commitment to revolutionizing higher education. Learn about the variety of resources—from podcasts to ourses to webinars—that can help professionals make impactful changes in their careers and institutions. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network: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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Environmental graphics can play a critical role in not only improving campus aesthetics, but also in building a sense of community and brand on campus. In this episode, Adrienne King, associate vice president for marketing at Indiana University, discusses how IU has leveraged environmental graphics to transform the IU campuses and build pride in their community. Takeaways for this episode include:Guidance on the process of bringing a graphic concept from concept to completion.Insight into solving the challenges of integrating visuals within a university's unique architectural and cultural landscape.Ideas for measuring the effectiveness of environmental graphics in terms of student engagement and recruitment.Tips for ensuring the sustainability of environmental graphics.A glimpse into emerging trends and innovations in environmental graphics that are set to shape the industry.Whether you're a higher education marketer or just fascinated by the intersection of design and marketing, this episode is packed with valuable advice.To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO in your favorite podcast player.Guest Name: Adrienne KingGuest LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dradking/Guest Bio: Dr. Adrienne King joined Indiana University in June 2023 as the new Associate Vice President of Marketing. She leads the university’s marketing strategy in support of the institution’s strategic goals, focusing on delivering a unified, brand experience fueled by research, data, and integrated marketing communications. She has nearly 20 years of experience in higher education marketing and communications, advancement, and alumni and community engagement, having previously served in similar leadership roles at the University of Toledo, Murray State University, Idaho State University and West Virginia University Institute of Technology. She received her doctorate in higher education administration and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University, after earning bachelor’s degrees in graphic design and public relations from Marietta College. She also is a graduate of the 2018 Leadership America executive program and a 2021-22 American Council of Education Fellow. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network: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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

As Joey Schmit, Associate VP of Global Marketing & Communications at New York University, pointed out in our insightful conversation, higher ed institutions often prioritize departmental needs over their students.That realization motivated Joey and his peers at NYU to elevate the student experience through human-centered design, a framework that creates solutions using  an empathic lens.Joey shares how NYU is mapping the student journey by putting students first and addressing the internal cultural dynamics that impact strategic outcomes. Join us as we discuss:[4:38] Mapping the student journey through human-centered design[18:51] The initial research phase and getting buy-in from stakeholders[37:49] Internal dynamics and cultivating empathic storytellingCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:IDEONYU’s 5th Annual Storytelling Summit RecapTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO in your favorite podcast player. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network: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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Homecoming. Orientation. Welcome Week. Fall Fest. Family Weekend. Ring Dance. Our students experience so many traditions during their four (or more) years on our campuses, but what makes these events create lasting memories? That’s the question that Jaime poses to Alison Paz, associate director of marketing and communications for Louisiana State’s Division of Student Life. In her position, Alison plays a key role in both creating and marketing these events. Takeaways from this episode include:Insight into why campus traditions are an important part of the student experience – and tips for how to recapture the enthusiasm that was lost during the pandemicIdeas for engaging students in ways that create memories and build nostalgia for their student experience long after graduationTips for engaging students in the process of both creating and marketing campus eventsGuidance on collaborating with other campus partners to build experiences that cut across silosGuest Name: Alison Paz, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, Louisiana State University Student LifeGuest LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonpaz/Guest Bio:  Alison Paz is a marketer and communicator with extensive experience handling complex marketing strategies, public relations, large-scale events, new media ventures, publishing, advocacy, non-profits, and community outreach. Her career spans diverse sectors including higher education, entertainment, publishing, business-to-business, retail, and health.Throughout her career, Alison has demonstrated a keen aptitude for embracing emerging technology to enhance customer experiences and drive organizational success. She started her career in the photo industry, where she launched the industry’s first online magalog and interactive forums. Her ability to merge marketing technology with operations led to the development of Turner Entertainment Group’s first entertainment and commerce portals. As the founding partner of Paz New Media, she served a diverse international client base, including CNN en Español, CNN International, Cartoon Network Latin American, Turner Network Television, National Scientific, Equifax, and numerous Atlanta regional companies. Upon relocating to Louisiana, Alison worked with the University of Louisiana System, promoting its economic impact and the value of online degree programs. She has worked extensively with non-profits on community development and volunteer efforts including Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge, Alliance for a Livable Lavista, and Girl Scouts Louisiana East. Currently serving as the Associate Director for LSU Campus Life, Alison oversees marketing and communications for some of the university's most prominent traditions. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network: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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

After a 20-year career working in higher education marketing, Jaime is making a big pivot and launching a full-time higher education consulting firm: Solve Higher Ed. In this episode, the tables are turned and Jaime is the interviewee. Listen as she shares:What prompted her to quit her dream job to launch a consulting firmWhy she thinks that higher education marketing can save higher educationWhat challenges she has faced making this transitionHow her years of experience have prepared her for this big changeWhat challenges she sees facing higher education leaders todayHer advice for higher education marketers given today’s higher ed landscapeGuest Name: Jaime Hunt, President of Solve Higher EdGuest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/ - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network: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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Living with a disability presents a unique set of challenges, especially when it intersects with professional life. In this special and insightful episode, Jaime has an engaging conversation with RJ Thompson, who is the Manager of Digital Strategy in Pitt Health Sciences. RJ shares his personal experiences of working and thriving in a professional setting while living with cystic fibrosis, offering a valuable perspective on this often-overlooked aspect of the workplace.In this episode, listeners can expect to gain several key takeaways:Insights into Navigating a Career with a Disability: RJ opens up about the strategies he uses to manage his work while dealing with cystic fibrosis, providing listeners with real-life examples and practical advice. This segment is particularly enlightening as it delves into how individuals with disabilities can navigate their career paths effectively.Ideas for Supporting Colleagues with Disabilities: Jaime and RJ discuss the roles and responsibilities of supervisors and coworkers in creating an inclusive and supportive work environment. This part of the conversation aims to foster greater understanding and empathy, offering tangible ways in which people without disabilities can be allies and supporters in the workplace.Leadership Tips for Unseen Disabilities: This episode also sheds light on the challenges faced by leaders in recognizing and accommodating staff members with non-visible disabilities. Listeners will learn how to create an inclusive culture that respects privacy while offering the necessary support.Remote Work as an Equity Issue: The conversation also explores how remote work arrangements can play a crucial role in promoting equity in the workplace. We delve into the benefits and challenges of remote work, especially for people with disabilities, highlighting how flexible working arrangements can be a game-changer in terms of accessibility and inclusivity.Guest Name: RJ Thompson, Manager of Digital Strategy in Pitt Health SciencesGuest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/studentofdesign/Guest Bio: RJ Thompson, MFA, is an award-winning marketing and graphic design professional. Currently, RJ is the Manager of Digital Strategy in Pitt Health Sciences. He was most recently the Director of Digital Marketing in the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business and College of Business Administration at the University of Pittsburgh.Before joining Pitt, he was a tenured Assistant Professor of Graphic + Interactive Design in the Department of Art at Youngstown State University. Previous to Youngstown State, RJ taught at Carnegie Mellon University, La Roche University, and Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Continuing his career in education, RJ has been an Adjunct Professor of Graphic & Interactive Design at Point Park University since 2019 where he was responsible for writing and teaching the interactive design curriculum. In 2020, he began teaching at the Community College of Allegheny County.Outside of marketing, design, and teaching, RJ is also the Co-Principal and Creative Strategist for +Public, a Pennsylvania-based social enterprise that focuses on cultivating community and economic development impact through the creation of branded communication platforms, creative place-making, and storytelling initiatives for communities-in-revival.Throughout his career, RJ has received many accolades for his creative works: In 2015, he was one of several recipients of the National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town” grant, valued at $100,000, for the INPLACE (“Innovative Plan for Leveraging Arts & Community Engagement”) project. In 2017, RJ received a “Best of Marketing Award” from the Ohio Economic Development Association for his efforts in rebranding the City of Youngstown, Ohio. In 2018, RJ was accepted into the prestigious Cohort 2 of the National Arts Marketing Project, a program supported by Americans for the Arts and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. In 2019, RJ also received a scholarship to join the National Arts Strategies Executive Program in Arts & Culture Strategy through the School of Public Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2019, RJ was honored with the Ohio Governors Award in the Arts in Community Development, the state of Ohio’s highest recognition in the arts sector.Recently, RJ was the recipient of a certification scholarship from the National Institute for Social Media and received accolades from GDUSA and the University & College Designers Association for "Pitt Business Backstory" and "Business.Pitt.Edu" websites. RJ is presently the President of the Pittsburgh chapter of the American Marketing Association. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network: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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

This special cross-over episode features clips from Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO, Talking Tactics, and The Application with Allison Turcio. These discussions highlight the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in higher education marketing. Through these carefully selected clips from several podcasts within The Enrollify Network, this episode illuminates the multifaceted approach needed to authentically represent and engage a diverse student body.Key takeaways include:The Importance of Diverse Leadership and Marketing: An engaging story from Jaime Hunt and Kevin Tyler reveals the impact of having openly gay and black leaders in higher education. This segment underscores the pivotal role diverse leadership plays in shaping inclusive marketing strategies and fostering an environment where all students feel represented.Amplifying Voices through Authentic Stories: Dayana Kibilds and Mikki Collins delve into how the University of Chichester's podcast initiative succeeded in significantly boosting social media engagement by sharing real, unfiltered stories from minority and underrepresented groups. This discussion highlights the power of authentic narratives in enhancing a university's reach and its commitment to DEI.Accessibility as a DEI Pillar in Digital Marketing: The conversation between Allison Tucio and Raman Bhalla explores the often-overlooked aspect of DEI - web accessibility. It offers practical insights into how a systematic approach to making digital content accessible can serve as a form of advocacy for inclusivity, demonstrating the crucial role marketers play in ensuring all students have equal access to information.Listen to the Full Episodes Featured:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO - Episode 42: Authentic Allyship: Crafting Campaigns That Support LGBTQIA+ Students Year-RoundTalking Tactics - Episode 17: Walk The Walk On DEI And Amplify Reach With Raw Authentic StoriesThe Application - Episode 34: Roadmap To Web Accessibility Success For Higher Ed Marketers - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network: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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Bart Caylor, President of Caylor Solutions, and author, discusses attracting 'mission fit' students, stretching marketing budgets, balancing brand awareness with lead generation, and future trends in higher education marketing with host Jaime Hunt. They provide tips for identifying the right students, prioritizing marketing spending, and leveraging AI solutions for success.