Filling Seats: The State of Enrollment Marketing in Higher Ed

In this episode of Filling Seats, we sit down with John Azoni, a seasoned video production expert with over 15 years of experience. John shares key insights from his journey in creating compelling video content for higher education institutions. Together, we explore the analytics behind video engagement, the importance of aligning content with audience intent, and practical tips for producing short-form and long-form videos. Whether you're a marketing leader or an enrollment VP, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to enhance your video content game. 

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In this episode of Filling Seats, we tackle the growing "staff morale crisis" in college admissions offices. What’s driving burnout and dissatisfaction among admissions professionals?

Joining us is Teege Mettille, author of The Admissions Counselor Malaise and Director of Enrollment Success at EnrollML. Drawing on years of campus leadership experience, Teege shares his unique perspective on the root causes of this crisis and why it’s more than just a post-pandemic adjustment. Together, we explore the pressures of corporatization, the shifting meaning of mission-driven work, and innovative solutions that could breathe new life into admissions teams.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s really behind the admissions staff turnover this episode is for you.

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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Carey Dukes, who brings a wealth of experience from 25 years in supply chain management and a passion for teaching the next generation. After earning his doctorate degree, he joined academia to help students become day-one-ready employees.

Dr. Dukes dives into the critical issues of:

• Student retention within smaller universities
• Challenges presented when freshman don't return to campus
• Costs associated with student recruitment

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Host Jonathan Clues discusses the impact of international recruitment and study abroad programs on U.S. higher education with guest Dr. John Neiser, Vice President for International Operations at Fairleigh Dickinson University. They delve into how international recruitment has shifted from being a symbolic effort to a critical revenue source, with Dr. Neiser highlighting that international operations contribute to a significant portion of his university’s revenue. The conversation explores the strategic importance of international students, the challenges of geopolitical and economic factors, and the necessity of developing strong relationships with recruitment agents. They also touch on the role of digital experiences in international recruitment and emphasize the need for institutions to offer more personalized and relevant support systems for international students.

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Our latest episode of “Filling Seats” features StudentBridge CEO Jonathan Clues alongside Vanessa Didyk from ZeeMee and Dave Becker from CampusESP to discuss innovative strategies and technologies to boost enrollment, enhance student experiences, and maintain continuity despite staff changes.

Jonathan, Vanessa, and Dave also tackle key questions:

• How can institutions leverage technology to retain knowledge when staff members leave?
• What are the latest trends in student engagement and how can they boost enrollment?
• What proven strategies increase student retention and success?

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In the third installment of our series on the 2023 RNL Trend Report, once again, we peel back layers of data to offer actionable insights on what motivates students to opt in to receive emails, text messages, and telephone calls. From their unique vantage points, Dr. Raquel Bermejo, Associate Vice President of Market Research and Planning for RNL and StudentBridge CEO and founder Jonathan Clues dive into the privilege of receiving personal information and what students seek in return. Most important, the pair unpacks surprisingly high open rates for recruitment emails and the essential components these communications must include. 

Raquel and Jonathan also answer:

How do students prefer to be contacted?
What do they want to know?
When do students want to be contact?
How to calibrate outreach at each stage of their college search?

Don't forget! Raquel and Jonathan break down more of the 2023 RNL Trend Report in Episodes 38 and 39 of Filling Seats. 

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In this episode, we explore the busy summer travel season and the opportunity it presents for visitor services teams. Preparing for these crowds can be key, especially if your institution is located in a high-interest city, like Boston.  In 2023, 22% of students visited campuses in a stealth, unannounced visit (Source: Niche). Amber Fitzgerald, director of enrollment visitor services at Suffolk University, shares best practices for engaging these prospective student-tourists.

You'll also hear:

• How to alleviate the challenges facing visitor services teams
• Tips for supporting visitors throughout the enrollment life cycle
• Opportunities the FAFSA delay created to engage students
• Strategies for giving students the personalization they expect

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Residence life, mental health, and wellness play a significant role in enrollment marketing and student college search today. In this episode of Filling Seats, StudentBridge CEO Jonathan Clues interviews ed tech innovators Luke Warren and Richard Nichols of Kinetic Software, a leader in student housing and accommodations. The trio compare notes on priorities and pain points facing students, parents, and admissions teams, while exploring the global and unique realities facing students in North America and the United Kingdom. 

• Overall trends in student residence life and housing
• Student priorities, from lifestyle to academics
• Technology's role in providing student-centered solutions

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Feeding students’ appetite for omni-channel doesn’t have to be ‘oh my’. RNL’s Raquel Bermejo and StudentBridge CEO Jonathan Clues give a crash course on the multiple sources students use in their college search. Plus, implementing an omni-channel strategy is like composing a symphony, so higher ed marketing maestro Jose Mallabo also stops by to share practical tips based on the 2023 E-Expectations Trend Report.

The hosts answer:

• What information sources do students use?
• Do students really read email and brochures?
• Isn’t social media enough?
• What trends should our team prepare for?

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Accelerate conversion with virtual video

2023 E-Expectations Trend Report

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RNL’s Raquel Bermejo discusses the growth of video as an essential part of an admissions strategy with StudentBridge CEO Jonathan Clues. You’ll hear:

• Demand for virtual experiences and personalization
• Key Findings from the 2023 E-Expectations Trend Report
• How video and personalization drive enrollment and conversion
• Best practices for creating authentic videos about students' interests 

More intelligence on the power of virtual video
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Full 2023 E-Expectations Trend Report

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