Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager

In this insightful podcast episode, Jenny chats with Emer Garland, a social media and communications professional at MIT, about creating a cohesive, accessible media library to support the campus community. Emer shares her journey from Dublin to MIT and how she helped build a digital asset library on Flickr, empowering MIT’s departments, labs, and centers to easily access and use campus imagery. Discover practical advice on managing digital media, collaborating with students, and capturing authentic campus moments that reinforce MIT’s unique culture.

• Make the Most of Existing Platforms: Consider where your audience already interacts and build your digital asset library on a platform they find familiar, as MIT did with Flickr.
• Collaborate with Students for Unique Perspectives: Engage student photographers to capture campus life from their viewpoint, adding authenticity to your content library.
• Use Analytics to Refine Content: Leverage Flickr’s metrics to understand which images resonate most, helping you decide what to capture next and keep your library relevant.

Why Build a Centralized Media Library? 
Emer Garland explains the motivation behind creating a digital media library at MIT. With media scattered across multiple locations—Dropbox, individual computers, and even physical photos—MIT needed a centralized platform accessible to the campus community. Emer and her team selected Flickr, a platform already familiar to many faculty and staff, making it easier for departments to adopt. MIT’s library now hosts over 3,500 photos and videos, exclusively available to faculty, staff, and students, supporting a range of uses from social media to print materials.

Emer shares that centralizing media has particularly benefited smaller departments, which may not have the budget for professional photography. With access to high-quality, general-purpose photos of campus life, labs, events, and seasonal shots, these departments can maintain consistent and professional communications without the cost. Today, MIT’s media library is a valuable resource that brings a sense of visual cohesion to campus-wide communication efforts.

‍Capturing Authentic Campus Moments 
Emer emphasizes the importance of authenticity in visual content, particularly in higher education. Rather than relying on staged or stock photos, MIT’s library includes organic images that capture real interactions and moments on campus. Emer’s team prioritizes genuine engagement shots—faculty collaborating with students, students immersed in lab work, and the unique quirks of MIT culture that differentiate it from other institutions. They also source images from student photographers, who bring fresh perspectives and often capture less-visible aspects of campus life.

In addition to traditional images, MIT’s library includes aerial and drone footage, capturing the campus from new vantage points. Emer notes that iconic locations like the MIT Dome remain popular, but the library continuously evolves to feature diverse, unique content that feels authentic to MIT’s community and culture.

Best Practices for Starting a Media Library 
For institutions looking to build a similar media library, Emer recommends starting with foundational images that showcase the campus, its culture, and its unique strengths. Seasonal campus photos, iconic architecture, and dynamic classroom or lab scenes are valuable assets that communicate both identity and community spirit. Emer advises researching the right platform based on where the community already interacts, as well as considering the time and budget required for maintenance.

MIT's media team actively gathers feedback from their departments to understand content needs, providing regular photo updates and ensuring relevance. Emer also underscores the value of setting boundaries with professional photographers and establishing release protocols to respect privacy, especially for more staged or event-focused shoots.

Guest Name: Emer Garland, Communications Strategist, MIT

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Emer Garland is a Communication Strategist for MIT’s Institute Office of Communications, where she guides departments, labs, and centers on their marketing and communication needs. Her expertise includes strategic planning, budget management, digital strategy, branding, design, and social media. Emer also manages the MIT Media Library, a free resource for our community, and regularly plans and oversees photoshoots.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jenny Li Fowler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylifowler/
https://twitter.com/TheJennyLi

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager 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.

In this conversation, Erin Ward discusses the intersection of gamification and higher education marketing. She explains the concept of gamification, differentiates it from gaming implementation, and provides examples of how it can be effectively utilized in higher ed. The discussion highlights the importance of engaging students through innovative marketing strategies, the potential for personalization, and the need for higher education institutions to adapt to a competitive landscape. 

Guest Name: Erin Ward, Head of Digital Sales & Client Experience at Next Grad

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Erin Ward is a seasoned Client Experience and Marketing Professional with over 12 years of experience driving growth through innovative digital marketing and integrated marketing strategies. Erin has a proven track record in enhancing brand awareness, engagement, and brand affinity by executing targeted digital campaigns and communications. She excels in understanding the complete journey and translating demands into compelling brand messages.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jenny Li Fowler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylifowler/
https://twitter.com/TheJennyLi

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager 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.

Chloe Calvert discusses her experience running the flagship social media channels for the University of Georgia. She highlights the challenges of showcasing the university's community apart from athletics and shares examples of how they feature students in their content. Chloe emphasizes the importance of treating students like focus groups and user generated content, content created  by students for students, to produce authentic and engaging material. Chloe also explains how UGA takes a truly integrated approach, with teams for media relations, marketing and brand strategy, creative services, and project management working together to make social first content.

Mentioned in the episode:

Hidden camera video

Blooper Reel

Turtle follow-up

Guest Name: Chloe Calvert,  Social Media Coordinator at the University of  Georgia.

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Chloe Calvert is the Social Media Coordinator at the University of Georgia, where she manages the flagship university accounts across all major platforms. With a BS in Communications and a certificate in Social Media from Texas A&M, Chloe leverages her solid educational foundation and extensive experience to create engaging content that puts students at the heart of her strategy. Her approach amplifies the university’s digital presence and builds a dynamic, inclusive online community.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jenny Li Fowler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylifowler/
https://twitter.com/TheJennyLi

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager 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.

Cameron MacNiven from Dunroe uncovers the latest trends and data-driven insights shaping higher education social media and discusses how distinct higher ed categories, like admissions and university presidents, use social platforms differently to engage their audiences. Cameron also shares valuable tips on how schools can harness the power of trends, collaborations, and platform-specific strategies to boost their social media impact. Whether you're looking to improve engagement or just curious about what’s working across campuses, this episode is packed with practical recommendations.

Guest Name: Cameron MacNiven, CEO at Dunroe Inc.

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Cameron MacNiven is co-founder of Dunroe, a software firm providing social media analytics to creators and leaders in Higher Education. He loves building new things and working closely with Dunroe's amazing community of users in HESM. Reach out here anytime: [email protected]

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Connect With Our Host:
Jenny Li Fowler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylifowler/
https://twitter.com/TheJennyLi

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager 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.

Ever feel overwhelmed by the growing list of tasks for managing social media channels? Jenny sits down with Maya Wesby of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, to discuss time management, the strategic use of platforms, and harnessing user-generated content (UGC). Maya also has a refreshing take that helps reduce audience fatigue and increase engagement. This episode  is a must listen if you’re looking to streamline your work routine.

Guest Name: Maya Wesby

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Maya Wesby is the Social Media Manager for the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she handles the ideation, execution, and analysis of content across channels. She curates the school's social presence through engaging with the campus community, promoting school-wide events, and adapting editorial posts and announcements into social-first content. She supports the school's brand as a leading institution in the education field and as a welcoming community for those who want to Learn to Change the World.
Previously, Maya supported social campaigns for consumer brands including Samsung, Dove, and HomeGoods. She is a master's student studying journalism with the Harvard Extension School and holds a bachelor's in history from Princeton University.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jenny Li Fowler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylifowler/
https://twitter.com/TheJennyLi

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager 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.

Kate Meyers Emery, Ph.D., joins Jenny Li Fowler to share her journey into social media management and her strategic approach to the field. As Candid’s Senior Digital Communications Manager, Kate frequently leverages experimentation and data-driven storytelling to connect with audiences. She highlights successful campaigns and strategies, offering advice on how to turn failures into valuable lessons.

Some of the her advice includes:

• Embracing Experimentation —  treat experiments as a formal part of your workflow to gather data and make informed decisions. Be prepared to pivot based on what works and what doesn't.
• Approach social media strategy like a road trip — know your destination (goals) and map out your path (strategy) based on past performance and current insights. Use a living document to adjust plans as needed.
• Nothing is sacred — avoid getting too attached to specific tactics or content. Be willing to adapt and let go of strategies that no longer work, even if they were once successful.

Guest Name: Kate Meyers Emery, Ph.D, Senior Digital Communications Manager, Candid

Guest Social Handles: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Kate Meyers Emery, Ph.D is the senior digital communications manager at Candid, where her primary role is leading the strategy, content production, and analysis of organic social media. With over 13 years of experience, Katehas a proven track record of using experimentation, data, and creativity to transform complex stories into simple yet compelling content on social media, web, email, and other digital platforms.She uses her depth of industry knowledge, natural curiosity, and background in Anthropology to create innovative, inclusive, and human-centered stories in digital spaces.Candid is a nonprofit organization that provides the most comprehensive data and insights about the social sector. Every year, millions of nonprofits spend trillions of dollars around the world. Candid finds out where that money comes from, where it goes, and why it matters. Through research, collaboration, and training, Candid connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to do it.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jenny Li Fowler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylifowler/
https://twitter.com/TheJennyLi

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager 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.

Megan Ellisor,  Director of Social Media at NC State, gives us a look into their innovative Social Media Hub at NC State, which fosters collaboration and enhances the university's digital presence as a whole. Jenny and Megan also discuss the importance of mission-driven work, the evolution of social media roles, and the benefits of a centralized yet flexible social media structure.

Guest Name: Megan Ellisor, Director of Social Media for NC State University

Guest Bios: Megan Ellisor is the Director of Social Media for NC State University, the largest public university in North Carolina. She leads the university's Social Media Strategy Hub, working with the social media specialists to hone their multimedia skills and develop effective content strategies to meet the needs of their college or unit. Megan also oversees the university’s enterprise social team and the Student Creator Program.

Guest Social: LinkedIn

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Connect With Our Host:
Jenny Li Fowler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylifowler/
https://twitter.com/TheJennyLi

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager 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.

Jenny talks with Matt Griffin from the University of Pennsylvania and Melissa Lesica from Harvard University about the tumultuous and challenging landscape of higher education social media over the past academic year. They explore the impact of significant global events, bot attacks, and the increasing vitriol directed at higher ed institutions. They also delve into how their teams managed these crises and the lessons learned to prepare for future challenges.

Guest Names:
Matt Griffin, Dir. of New Media Communications at University Pennsylvania
Melissa Lesica, Senior Dir. of Content strategy at Harvard University

Guest Social Handles:
Matt: LinkedIn
Melissa: LinkedIn

Guest Bios: 
Matt Griffin is Director, New Media Communications, in the Office of University Communications at the University of Pennsylvania, with 20+ years of experience in digital marketing and communications for publishing companies, business journals and educational institutions. Matt joined Penn in 2012 as part of a then-new push to consolidate social media strategy at the University, and has since grown the University’s social footprint, expanded access to social media tools across Penn, and worked to build a cross-departmental collaborative working group of more than 300 communications professionals across campus.

Melissa Lesica is the Senior Director of Content Strategy at Harvard University. She manages a team that produces, manages and measures Harvard’s flagship digital properties, including Harvard.edu, the Harvard Gazette news website, the @Harvard social media channels and a variety of email newsletters. Melissa has worked in higher education for 17 years, advocating for digital transformation, innovation and accessibility.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Jenny Li Fowler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylifowler/
https://twitter.com/TheJennyLi

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager 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.

I’m locked out of a business Meta account, now what!?

Almost every social media manager has been locked out of a Meta account and felt the frustration of trying to regain access. In this episode, Jenny chats with Adrienne Kemp-Rye, Stanford University's Social Media Manager, who shares her expert strategies for preventing and resolving Meta account lockouts. Learn practical tips on maintaining account health, navigating Meta’s appeal process, and implementing security measures to keep your social media presence secure and within your possession. Grab a pen and paper cause you’re going to want to take notes!

Guest Name: Adrienne Kemp-Rye, social media manager at Stanford University

Guest Social Handles: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Adrienne Kemp-Rye is the social media manager at Stanford University, where she manages day-to-day operations of the institutional channels; produces social-first content; and provides strategy advice to campus communicators. Previously, Adrienne worked as a marketing associate at Crate and Barrel and with the social team at West Virginia University. Outside of work, you can find her cruising Chicago’s Lakefront Trail (where she’s remotely based) and visiting family in the Appalachian Mountains.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jenny Li Fowler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylifowler/
https://twitter.com/TheJennyLi

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager 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.

Danielle Sewell, Director of Digital Marketing at York College of Pennsylvania, shares practical insights on where to start when it comes to data, understanding metrics, and using data to tell compelling stories. Danielle also highlights the supportive community within higher ed marketing and the value of continual learning.

In this episode you will learn:

• How to establish benchmarks.
• Simplifying your approach to analytics.
• The basics of creating a report.

Guest Name: Danielle Sewell, Director of Digital Marketing at York College of Pennsylvania

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Danielle Sewell has over 13 years of experience in strategic marketing and communications. She has been working in higher education since 2014, specializing in digital community-building, brand development, organizational storytelling, and marketing leadership. She currently serves as Director of Digital Marketing at York College of Pennsylvania, where she oversees content strategy and implementation for the institutional website and flagship social media channels. 
Danielle’s educational background centers on professional writing and creative project management. She completed her undergraduate degree in English with a writing concentration at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, followed by an M.A. and M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Wilkes University. 
She lives in York, PA with her husband, Scott, and their dog, Cosmo.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Jenny Li Fowler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylifowler/
https://twitter.com/TheJennyLi

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager 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.