As higher education continues to evolve and expand, the presidency of its institutions has become an increasingly demanding role. GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom sits down with Jeff Julian, Chief of Staff at Harper College and President of the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations, to discuss the shifting landscape of higher ed leadership.

In this episode, Julian shares insights from his extensive background in communications, public awareness, and PR, and discusses the catch-all yet crucial function of the Chief of Staff role. While the structure and delegation of duties vary across institutions, he emphasizes that at its core, the role embodies servant leadership. Often serving as a trusted advisor and right-hand to the college president, Julian offers a second, unbiased perspective on key decisions. He also underscores the value of professional involvement and volunteerism, noting that leadership is built through experience, something he has honed through roles with NCMPR and the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship.

What You’ll Learn:

• What the Chief of Staff role looks like in a college setting
• Why servant leadership is foundational to effective executive support
• How volunteering can fast-track leadership development
• Insights into the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship
• Why communications professionals are uniquely positioned for executive roles

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
Instagram: @gradcommunications
Facebook: @GradCommunications
LinkedIn: @gradcomm
Send us a message: GradComm.com

Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

It’s undeniable that social media has transformed into an essential platform for both cultivating a presence and nurturing community connections. With platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook becoming key spaces for interaction and staying informed, colleges and universities must have a strong and consistent social presence to stay relevant. In this episode, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom discusses the evolving role of social media in higher education with Megan Ellisor, Director of Social Media at North Carolina State University.

This conversation explores how Ellisor leads an 11-member social media team to create authentic, student-centered content while maintaining the university’s voice and tone across multiple accounts. She shares how NC State fosters connection through gamified fundraising efforts, branded hashtags, and story-driven content that captures student life. Throughout this discussion, she also offers practical tips for empowering social media teams and ensuring content resonates with students, alumni, and the broader community.

What You’ll Learn:

• How NC State structures and empowers a centralized social media team
• Strategies for building genuine online relationships with students
• The role of storytelling in effective social media content
• How to use hashtags, fundraising campaigns, and student voices to drive engagement
• Tips for balancing institutional branding with authentic student-centered content

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
Instagram: @gradcommunications
Facebook: @GradCommunications
LinkedIn: @gradcomm
Send us a message: GradComm.com

Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom discusses the realities of balancing motherhood and a demanding career with Letitia Clark, Chief Communications Officer at South Orange County Community College District, elected official, and author. Balancing children and a career may seem unachievable, but Letitia Clark unveils the secrets to harmonizing professional life and motherhood. From her dynamic career path to her role on the Tustin City Council, Clark delves into the intricacies of being a mother while excelling in the professional realm. She discusses her two books, with a particular focus on her latest, Baby’s Room to the Boardroom, where she emphasizes the intersectionality of motherhood and career pursuits.

This episode explores Clark's pearls of wisdom as she highlights the significance of positive self-talk, the support of a nurturing tribe, the celebration of personal victories, and the joy of pursuing one’s passions. The conversation takes a deeper dive into fostering better work environments for women and parents, healthily navigating work-life transitions, the necessity of learning on the job, and the importance of recharging amidst a busy schedule. This episode empowers working moms through invaluable workplace lessons and real-life anecdotes taken directly from Clark's parenting journey.

What You’ll Learn:

• How working mothers can balance career growth and family life without burnout
• Why positive self-talk and community support are critical to long-term success
• Ways employers can create more supportive environments for women and parents
• How to navigate career transitions while continuing to learn on the job
• Why celebrating personal wins matters as much as professional milestones

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
Instagram: @gradcommunications
Facebook: @GradCommunications
LinkedIn: @gradcomm
Send us a message: GradComm.com

Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, host Cheryl Broom sits down with Jeff Bunch, a higher education marketing leader whose career spans journalism, content strategy, and digital marketing, to discuss the power of storytelling in building institutional brands and engaging prospective students.

Drawing on his experience managing the digital presence of Gonzaga University's nationally recognized basketball program, Jeff shares how storytelling can elevate an institution's reputation far beyond athletics. He discusses how strategic content marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) helped increase visibility for Gonzaga's academic programs, ensuring prospective students and families discovered the university's educational strengths alongside its athletic success. Together, they explore how colleges can use compelling stories and data-driven digital strategies to strengthen their online presence and better connect with their audiences.

The conversation also examines the unique opportunities and challenges facing community college marketers, highlighting how authentic storytelling, thoughtful content planning, and SEO can help institutions stand out in an increasingly competitive higher education landscape. Whether you're responsible for marketing, communications, enrollment, or web strategy, this episode offers practical ideas for creating content that delivers measurable results.

What You'll Learn:

How storytelling can strengthen a college's brand and connect with prospective students.
Why content marketing and SEO are essential components of higher education marketing.
Strategies for increasing visibility for academic programs through digital content.
How institutions can build on existing brand strengths while showcasing their broader mission.
Practical insights into the unique challenges and opportunities facing community college marketers.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
Instagram: @gradcommunications
Facebook: @GradCommunications
LinkedIn: @gradcomm
Send us a message: GradComm.com

Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, host Cheryl Broom sits down with Jeff Dillon, founder of EdTech Connect and a former higher education professional, to discuss how colleges and universities can make more informed technology purchasing decisions by learning from the experiences of their peers.

After spending more than two decades working in higher education, Jeff recognized the challenges institutions face when evaluating software and technology vendors. He shares how that experience inspired him to create EdTech Connect, a crowdsourced platform that helps colleges discover, compare, and evaluate technology solutions based on real-world feedback from other higher education professionals. Together, they explore the growing role of artificial intelligence and personalization in education, the complexities of selecting the right technology partners, and why collaboration among institutions leads to better purchasing decisions.

Whether you're evaluating a new CRM, enrollment platform, learning technology, or another campus solution, this conversation offers valuable insights into simplifying the vendor selection process and leveraging peer expertise to make smarter technology investments.

What You'll Learn:

Why peer recommendations are one of the most valuable resources when evaluating higher education technology.
How EdTech Connect helps colleges discover and compare vetted technology vendors.
Common challenges institutions face when selecting software and technology solutions.
How artificial intelligence and personalization are shaping the future of higher education technology.
Best practices for making informed, collaborative technology purchasing decisions.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
Instagram: @gradcommunications
Facebook: @GradCommunications
LinkedIn: @gradcomm
Send us a message: GradComm.com

Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, host Cheryl Broom sits down with Mark Bayer, international keynote speaker, consultant, former Chief of Staff, and host of the When Science Speaks podcast, to discuss the art of communicating complex ideas in ways that engage, inspire, and drive action.

Drawing on his experience working with scientists, engineers, executives, and public leaders, Mark shares practical strategies for making technical and complicated information accessible to any audience. He explains why effective communication begins with building relationships, not simply making requests and offers valuable advice for connecting with elected officials, members of the media, and other influential stakeholders. Throughout the conversation, Mark demonstrates how vivid storytelling, relatable analogies, and audience-focused messaging can transform even the most complex topics into compelling narratives.

Together, they explore how communicators can overcome common communication challenges, build trust through authentic relationships, and create messages that resonate with diverse audiences. Whether you work in higher education, government, science, or communications, this episode offers practical techniques you can immediately apply to become a more effective communicator.

What You'll Learn:

Why building relationships is more effective than simply making requests.
Strategies for explaining complex ideas in clear, engaging, and memorable ways.
How storytelling, vivid imagery, and relatable comparisons improve communication.
Best practices for building stronger relationships with elected officials and the media.
Practical techniques for turning communication challenges into opportunities. 

You can hear more of Mark on his podcast, here.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
Instagram: @gradcommunications
Facebook: @GradCommunications
LinkedIn: @gradcomm
Send us a message: GradComm.com

Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, host Cheryl Broom sits down with Brian Piper, digital marketing strategist, author, and content marketing expert, to explore how institutions can create content that builds trust, strengthens relationships, and delivers long-term results.

Drawing from his extensive experience in digital and content marketing, Brian explains why successful content marketing is about much more than promoting products or services; it's about consistently providing value to your audience. Together, they discuss why marketers should focus on developing high-quality content before worrying about distribution channels, and how a strategic, long-term approach can lead to stronger audience engagement and more meaningful connections.

The conversation also explores the role of social media in a comprehensive content strategy, how to establish measurable goals, and the importance of aligning content with audience needs and institutional objectives. Brian shares practical insights from the second edition of his book, Epic Content Marketing, offering higher education marketers actionable strategies for creating content that supports recruitment, engagement, and brand awareness.

What You'll Learn:

Why content marketing is a long-term strategy for building trust and lasting relationships.
How to develop content that serves your audience before choosing distribution channels.
The role social media plays in an effective content marketing strategy.
How to measure content marketing success through clear goals and meaningful metrics.
Practical strategies for creating content that supports higher education marketing and communications.

Order Epic Content Marketing, Second Edition 

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
Instagram: @gradcommunications
Facebook: @GradCommunications
LinkedIn: @gradcomm
Send us a message: GradComm.com

Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, host Cheryl Broom sits down with Dr. Kyle Dalpe, President of Western Nevada College, to discuss leadership, community engagement, and the importance of building a culture that supports both students and employees.

Drawing on his diverse career as a journalist, chief of staff, vice president of instruction, and now college president, Dr. Dalpe shares how those experiences have shaped his approach to leading a community college. Together, they explore strategies for promoting colleges in rural communities, building the infrastructure needed to support innovative academic programs, and creating a workplace where faculty and staff can thrive while remaining focused on student success.

A central theme throughout the conversation is the importance of "showing up" for students, employees, and the communities colleges serve. Dr. Dalpe also reflects on the often-overlooked role of the chief of staff in higher education leadership and explains how strong collaboration and relationship-building contribute to institutional success. This episode offers valuable insights for college leaders, marketers, and higher education professionals seeking to strengthen their institutions through thoughtful leadership and meaningful community connections.

What You'll Learn:

How community colleges can strengthen engagement with rural communities.
Why supporting faculty and staff is essential to improving student success.
Strategies for building the infrastructure needed to support innovation in higher education.
The value of relationship-building and "showing up" as a leadership philosophy.
How the chief of staff role contributes to effective institutional leadership.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
Instagram: @gradcommunications
Facebook: @GradCommunications
LinkedIn: @gradcomm
Send us a message: GradComm.com

Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, host Cheryl Broom sits down with Dr. Mark Browning, President and CEO of Blue Mountain Community College, to discuss leadership, enrollment growth, and the evolving role of marketing and communications in higher education.

Drawing on his unique career path from leading marketing and communications efforts at institutions including the College of Western Idaho and North Idaho College to serving as a community college president Dr. Browning offers valuable insights into how strategic communications can influence institutional success. He shares how Blue Mountain Community College has navigated the challenges of the post-pandemic landscape to achieve enrollment growth, while emphasizing the importance of student-centered leadership, adaptability, and data-informed decision-making.

Together, they explore Dr. Browning's professional journey, his perspective on effective communication in higher education, and his vision for the future of community colleges. This conversation provides practical takeaways for college presidents, marketers, enrollment leaders, and communications professionals looking to strengthen their institutions and better serve their students.

What You'll Learn:

How strategic marketing and communications can support enrollment growth.
Leadership strategies for navigating higher education in a post-pandemic environment.
Why a background in communications can strengthen executive leadership.
The importance of student-centered decision-making in institutional success.
Dr. Browning's vision for the future of community colleges and higher education.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
Instagram: @gradcommunications
Facebook: @GradCommunications
LinkedIn: @gradcomm
Send us a message: GradComm.com

Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, host Cheryl Broom sits down with Alex Wedderburn, a senior leader at Hootsuite, to discuss the evolving world of social media management and how higher education professionals can build more effective digital engagement strategies.

As one of the leading platforms for managing and measuring social media performance, Hootsuite has become an essential tool for marketing teams around the world. Alex shares insights into the company's new social media certification program, explaining how it equips marketers with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate today's rapidly changing digital landscape. Together, they explore why ongoing professional development is so important for communications professionals and how mastering social media strategy can help institutions better connect with their audiences.

Beyond the certification, Alex offers practical advice for improving social media performance, creating engaging content, measuring success, and building a sustainable online presence. Whether you're an experienced social media manager or just beginning to develop your institution's digital strategy, this episode is filled with actionable insights you can apply right away.

What You'll Learn:

How Hootsuite's social media certification can strengthen your digital marketing skills.
Best practices for managing and growing institutional social media accounts.
Strategies for creating engaging content that connects with your audience.
How to measure social media performance and use data to improve results.
Why continuous learning is essential for today's higher education marketing professionals.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
Instagram: @gradcommunications
Facebook: @GradCommunications
LinkedIn: @gradcomm
Send us a message: GradComm.com

Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.