Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO — with Jaime Hunt

Jaime speaks with Eddie Francis, founder of Edify Ventures, to explore how higher education leaders can navigate sensitive policy changes without triggering public backlash. Eddie shares actionable strategies for framing announcements within a unified vision, adopting inclusive language, and engaging student leadership early. They also discuss choosing effective channels beyond mass email, gauging internal campus sentiment against social media noise, and overcoming critical higher ed hiring challenges.

Guest Name: Eddie Francis, Strategic Communications Fractional Leader, Trainer, Speaker and Public Speaking Coach

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddiefrancis/ 

Guest Bio: Eddie Francis is a marketing and communications consultant who led marcomm at four institutions. He has been featured in multiple publications, including The Chronicle of Higher Education, Volt, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and Careers in Government. Although Eddie launched his career in radio, he found his voice in higher ed. He led public relations at Southern University at New Orleans, where he developed the university’s branding and redesigned the university’s website. Eddie moved on to Paul Quinn College, where he helped spark an enrollment increase amid a PR crisis. At Dillard University, Eddie led the “Write Your Legacy” brand refresh, expanded the university’s licensed merchandise offerings, and led the redesign of the website. Eddie also has a background in talent acquisition. He recruited for award-winning global recruitment firm Cielo and for such brands as Quest Diagnostics, Staples, Lowe’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Tyco SimplexGrinnell. Among Eddie’s honors are New Orleans Magazine’s “30 People to Watch,” the Press Club of New Orleans’ Best Radio Entertainment Feature Award, and two nominations for the AMA Foundation’s Higher Education Marketer of the Year. Eddie is a member of the American Marketing Association, where he served on the planning committee for the Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education. He is also a member of the International Leadership Association, the Press Club of New Orleans, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Eddie earned his master’s degree in strategic leadership from Tennessee State University and his bachelor’s in mass communication from Loyola University New Orleans.

- - - -

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

About 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jaime Hunt is joined by Teege Mettlle, author of College is Broken, to discuss the higher education crisis as a deep operational and trust challenge rather than merely a communications issue. The conversation explores the pitfalls of endless growth models, unrealistic institutional benchmarking, misleading tuition discounting practices, and actionable reform strategies to restore authentic transparency and value for students.

Guest Name: Teege Mettlle, author of College Is Broken: (And what we can all do to fix it)

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teege-mettille-91303376/

Guest Bio: Teege Mettlle is the author of College Is Broken: (And what we can all do to fix it) and The Admissions Counselor Malaise: Addressing the staff morale crisis in college admissions. For over 18 years, he led recruitment teams at Lawrence University, Northland College, Carroll University, and DePauw University. He has consulted with dozens of colleges on their admissions strategies and co‑hosts The Admissions Directors Lunchcast. He now pairs that real‑time insight with Class 101’s proven system to demystify college lists, testing, essays, and scholarships so Wisconsin families can secure the right‑fit college at the right price. Energetic, data‑driven, and relentlessly student‑focused, he turns what feels overwhelming into a clear, confidence‑building path to admission.

- - - -

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

About 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jaime welcomes Lauren Griswold, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, the University of Vermont, to discuss her bold decision to decentralize communications by re-embedding communicators into their respective colleges and divisions. Lauren shares why alignment and relationship-building matter more than strict organizational hierarchies, how MOUs help establish shared expectations with deans, and why higher education marketing must dare to be different in a sea of sameness.

Guest Name: Lauren Griswold, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, the University of Vermont

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurengriswold1/

Guest Bio: Lauren Griswold was appointed Chief Communications and Marketing Officer in November 2025 and leads the university’s Division of Strategic Communications. An innovator, storyteller, and culture keeper, Griswold has worked in higher education at both the university and community college levels. Her expertise includes building brand reputation, as well as leading and creating strategy and successfully scaling it across enterprises for local, national, and global organizations.

Griswold comes to UVM from Boise State University, where she led that institution’s Office of Communications and Marketing as the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer. During her time in that role Griswold led the launch of the Northwest Emmy-nominated commercial, “Out of The Blue,” and was also recognized by the American Marketing Association as a finalist for marketer of the year in higher education in 2024.

Prior to joining Boise State, Griswold worked at Arizona State University, Mt. Hood Community College, Edelman, Microsoft, and Major League Baseball. She has a wide range of experience in sales, marketing, communications, community relations, branding, and creative strategy. Griswold has a master’s degree in communication studies from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Eastern Washington University.

- - - -

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

About 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jaime Hunt sits down with Nathan Jorgensen, Chief of Marketing and Enrollment Communications Manager at Ohio State University’s College of Nursing, to explore the dynamic relationship between centralized and decentralized marketing teams, sharing practical tips for building trust with academic deans and faculty. Nate explains how simple visual aids can translate complex marketing strategies, discusses the balance of institutional branding with college-specific storytelling, and shares his passionate take on why higher education is doing its best work today.

Guest Name: Nathan Jorgensen, Chief of Marketing and Enrollment Communications Manager, Ohio State University College of Nursing

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/npjorgensen/

Guest Bio: Nathan Jorgensen is the chief of marketing and enrollment communications manager for the Ohio State University College of Nursing. Prior to this role, he was the senior marketing director at Miami University. He has extensive experience in strategic marketing management, team leadership, and enrollment growth initiatives. Over 16 years in higher education and more than a decade in progressive leadership roles have shaped a proven ability to drive impactful campaigns and build strong institutional brands. At Miami University, Nathan led a multifaceted marketing team to achieve significant growth, including a 25% increase in undergraduate applications from 2023 to 2025. He also created a groundbreaking partnership with the Cincinnati Bengals to expand outreach and student opportunities.

- - - -

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

About 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jaime speaks with Kevin McClure, author of The Caring University and Professor of Higher Education and Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership UNC Wilmington. They explore the disconnect between rhetoric and institutional action regarding employee care, how workplace culture affects student support, and ways leaders can cultivate authentic organizational care beyond surface-level declarations.

Guest Name: Kevin McClure, Professor of Higher Education and Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership, the University of North Carolina Wilmington

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-r-mcclure-424145223/

Guest Bio: Dr. Kevin R. McClure is Professor of Higher Education and Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He also serves as Co-Director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges. Dr. McClure is an expert on college leadership, management, finance, and workplace culture, especially at broad-access institutions. He is author of The Caring University: Reimagining the Higher Education Workplace after the Great Resignation. Dr. McClure is also the co-editor of Regional Public Universities: Addressing Misconceptions and Analyzing Contributions and Unlocking Opportunity through Broadly Accessible Institutions. He writes the popular Working Better column for The Chronicle of Higher Education.

- - - -

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

About 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jaime sits down with digital strategy expert Georgy Cohen to tackle the persistent problem of content debt in higher education websites. Comparing the cluttered digital ecosystems of universities to an overflowing junk drawer, Cohen explains how years of unchecked publishing have resulted in outdated, redundant, and fragmented content that degrades institutional brands and creates confusing user experiences.

Guest Name: Georgy Cohen, principal, Georgy Cohen LLC

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgy/

Guest Bio: Georgy Cohen has spent more than 20 years leading digital strategy and content strategy initiatives for higher education, publications, and nonprofits. Her experience includes stints leading web strategy at Tufts University and Suffolk University, serving as vice president of digital strategy at the digital agency OHO, and running her own independent consultancies. Georgy currently operates the creatively named Georgy Cohen LLC, working with partners in higher ed and beyond on digital strategy initiatives. She also speaks widely at national conferences, to campus teams, and to the pets who frequent her office. Georgy’s background is in journalism.

- - - -

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

About 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jaime welcomes Megan W. Gerhardt, a professor of management and leadership at Miami University. The conversation centers on challenging the stereotypes that often define our understanding of different generations in the workplace.

Guest Name: Megan W. Gerhardt, Professor of Management and Leadership at Miami University’s Farmer School of Business

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megangerhardt/

Guest Bio: Megan W. Gerhardt, Ph.D., is a Professor of Management and Leadership at Miami University's Farmer School of Business. In addition to her academic work, she consults and speaks with leading organizations worldwide on leveraging generational differences in the workplace and is the author of Gentelligence: A Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce.Her Gentelligence framework was featured as Harvard Business Review's Big Idea in March 2022 and selected for Harvard Business Review's Top 10 Must Reads for 2024. As the founder of gentelligence.org, all of Dr. Gerhardt’s work focuses on harnessing individual differences to drive impact and exceptional performance.

- - - -

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

About 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Resource mentioned in the show: https://www.solvehighered.com/higher-ed-glossary

Jaime Hunt welcomes a special guest, Dave Hunt, to celebrate his new role as the Senior Strategic Advisor for AI Enrollment Marketing and Brand at Solve Higher Ed. The conversation moves beyond the typical discussion of marketing tactics to explore the philosophy of professional growth and strategic leadership within higher education.

Jaime and Dave unpack the common misconception that career success is solely defined by linear, upward movement on a corporate ladder. Instead, they champion the value of the lateral move. They argue that the most successful higher ed professionals are those who prioritize expanding their portfolio of skills over seeking new titles. By intentionally seeking roles that expose them to different departments—such as academic affairs, digital strategy, and creative operations—professionals can build the range necessary to see the university as a fully integrated ecosystem rather than a series of isolated silos. This is the essence of the T-shaped professional: deep expertise in one area coupled with a broad, empathetic understanding of how every department contributes to enrollment outcomes.

Guest Name: Dave Hunt, Senior Strategic Advisor for AI, Enrollment Marketing and Brand, Solve Higher Ed Marketing

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-hunt-a343048/

Guest Bio: Dave Hunt serves as Solve Higher Ed’s senior strategic advisor for enrollment marketing and brand. With 18 years of experience in higher education, Dave brings a depth of expertise in enrollment marketing, digital strategy, brand management, reputation building and alumni communications. His career has focused on helping colleges and universities reach prospective students more effectively, differentiate academic programs in competitive markets and connect brand strategy to enrollment outcomes.

Most recently, Dave served as Executive Director of Strategic Brand and Enrollment Marketing at Old Dominion University’s ODUGlobal, where he led a team responsible for marketing online graduate and undergraduate programs. His portfolio included enrollment marketing, digital marketing, creative services, branding, content strategy and social media, giving him direct experience managing the full ecosystem of modern enrollment-focused marketing. 

Prior to joining ODUGlobal, Dave was the inaugural Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications Miami University’s Miami Online. There, he built the marketing operations for a new and expanding online education portfolio from the ground up, with a focus on enrollment growth, lead generation, program positioning, digital marketing and prospective student engagement.

At Wake Forest University, Dave worked within the School of Business in a role focused on marketing graduate business programs and supporting the school’s branding, rankings and reputation-building efforts. That experience gave him a strong understanding of how academic reputation, program differentiation, rankings strategy and prospective student communications intersect in highly competitive markets.

Previous higher ed positions included serving as Director of Alumni Communications for Virginia Tech and as a graphic designer for Lawrence University.

Dave holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and a master’s degree in Marketing. He lives in Coastal Virginia with his wife and their surprisingly social tortoise.

- - - -

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

About 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is your team really at capacity, or is your operating model broken? In this episode, Jaime Hunt speaks with Joanne Giles about the common friction points in higher education marketing teams. They discuss why buying project management software isn't a "silver bullet" solution and how to diagnose deep-rooted operating issues before trying to fix the system.

Guest Name: Joanne Giles, Founder, All Things Content

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanneaugustingiles/

Guest Bio: Joanne Giles is the Founder and Principal Consultant of All Things Content, a strategic consultancy that helps higher education institutions and complex organizations bring structure to the way work moves across teams. Her work focuses on building workflow foundations for highly cross-functional, multi-stakeholder environments where intake, approvals, handoffs, visibility, and tool adoption often break down. Joanne has supported institutions including Hofstra University, Georgia State University, and Abilene Christian University, helping teams turn operational overwhelm into documented workflows, clearer ownership, and practical systems they can actually use.

- - - -

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

About 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Writing an RFP can feel overwhelming, especially when you're tasked with creating one for the first time. In this episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO, Jaime Hunt sits down with Louis Miller to demystify the RFP process and share practical advice for higher education marketers navigating agency partnerships, procurement requirements, and major marketing investments. Drawing on years of experience from both the campus and agency sides, they explore what separates effective RFPs from frustrating ones, how institutions can attract stronger vendor responses, and why clarity around goals, timelines, and budgets leads to better outcomes. Whether you're preparing for a website redesign, brand refresh, media campaign, or another strategic initiative, this conversation offers actionable guidance for creating RFPs that drive real results.

Guest Name: Louis Miller, Executive Partner, Electric Kite

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louismiller/

Guest Bio: Louis Miller is an Executive Partner at Electric Kite, a full-service creative marketing agency specializing in helping higher ed partners tell their stories in engaging ways. He is also General Manager of Volt, where higher ed marketers go to sharpen their skills to be the force that pushes their institutions forward. . He has worked with partners from the Ivy League to K12 and everything in between. Prior to his current roles, Louis held marketing and digital strategy roles at Comcast and Audible.com.

- - - -

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

About 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.