In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, host Cheryl Broom sits down with Lisa Takami to discuss her book, Women in the Higher Education C-Suite: Diverse Executive Profiles, and the leadership lessons that can help professionals at every stage of their careers.

Drawing on her extensive experience helping organizations build meaningful partnerships and strengthen their brand messaging, Lisa shares insights from the diverse leaders featured in her book and explains why their stories offer valuable guidance for both aspiring and established higher education professionals. Together, they explore the critical role mentorship plays in career development, how to identify and cultivate meaningful mentor relationships, and why learning from the experiences of others can accelerate personal and professional growth.

The conversation also delves into the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership. Lisa explains how greater self-awareness, understanding personal triggers, and developing stronger interpersonal skills can help leaders build trust, navigate challenges, and create more positive workplace cultures. Whether you're an emerging leader or an experienced executive, this episode offers practical advice for growing your leadership skills and supporting the success of others.

What You'll Learn:

Why mentorship is essential for leadership development and career growth.
How to find and build meaningful relationships with mentors.
What emotional intelligence is and why it matters in higher education leadership.
Strategies for becoming more self-aware and managing personal triggers.
Leadership lessons from the diverse executives featured in Women in the Higher Education C-Suite: Diverse Executive Profiles.

Preorder Women in the Higher Education C-Suite: Diverse Executive Profiles
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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 welcomes the podcast's first college president, Dr. Annebelle Nery, President of Santa Ana College, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, strategic marketing, and transforming student success.

Dr. Nery shares how Santa Ana College has achieved impressive, double-digit enrollment growth through a data-informed marketing strategy that has delivered results semester after semester following the pandemic. She discusses the importance of making decisions based on evidence, investing in talented people, and building a high-performing team capable of driving innovation across the institution. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Nery also reflects on the role dual enrollment plays in expanding access to higher education and why changing public perceptions of community colleges is essential to serving future generations of students.

In addition to sharing her leadership philosophy, Dr. Nery opens up about her personal and professional journey, highlighting the mentors and experiences that have shaped her career. Recorded on International Women's Day, this episode celebrates the impact of strong leadership while offering valuable insights for higher education professionals seeking to strengthen enrollment, marketing, and institutional culture.

What You'll Learn:

How data-driven marketing strategies can fuel sustained enrollment growth.
Why building a team of talented, collaborative professionals leads to institutional success.
The role dual enrollment programs play in expanding educational opportunities.
Strategies for changing public perceptions of community colleges.
Leadership lessons and career insights from one of higher education's accomplished presidents.

Thanks for listening!

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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 Emily Zimmer, Marketing & Events Coordinator at Dakota County Technical College (DCTC), to discuss the extraordinary experience of helping organize a presidential visit to campus.

What began as a quiet Thanksgiving quickly turned into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when Emily learned that the President of the United States would be visiting DCTC to highlight the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Emily shares the behind-the-scenes story of coordinating with the Secret Service, the White House Communications Team, college leadership, and numerous campus departments to prepare for one of the most high-profile events in the institution's history. She offers an inside look at the planning process, the unexpected challenges, and the rewarding moments that came with hosting a presidential visit.

Together, they also explore the value of building strong relationships with elected officials and community partners, and how those connections can create opportunities that elevate an institution while benefiting students and the communities they serve. This episode provides valuable insights for higher education communicators, event planners, and campus leaders preparing for high-profile events and strategic partnerships.

What You'll Learn:

What it takes to plan and execute a presidential visit to a college campus.
How collaboration with the Secret Service, the White House, and campus stakeholders contributes to a successful event.
Strategies for managing high-profile communications and event logistics.
Why cultivating relationships with political leaders and community partners can create valuable opportunities for colleges.
Lessons in leadership, flexibility, and teamwork when navigating unexpected, large-scale events.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
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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.

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In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, host Cheryl Broom is joined by Jennifer Perez, Director of Campus Communications at North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE), and GradComm's Director of Client Services, Jamie McNinch, to explore how a traditional print publication became a powerful modern marketing tool.

Together, they share the story behind reimagining NOCE's printed class schedule a publication mailed to more than 350,000 households three times each year. Rather than viewing the schedule as simply an informational document, the team transformed it into a strategic recruitment piece designed to better engage prospective students, improve usability, and highlight the life-changing opportunities available through continuing education.

The conversation also examines the ongoing value of print marketing in a digital-first world and the important role community colleges and continuing education programs play in providing affordable, accessible education that meets the evolving needs of their communities. Through thoughtful design, strategic messaging, and user-focused content, this project demonstrates how traditional marketing channels can continue to deliver meaningful results.

What You'll Learn:

How to transform a printed class schedule into an effective student recruitment tool.
Why print marketing continues to play an important role in higher education communications.
Best practices for improving the design, organization, and usability of printed publications.
How continuing education programs help meet critical workforce and community needs.
Why strategic marketing can increase awareness of affordable and accessible educational opportunities.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
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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 special year-end episode of Higher Ed Conversations, host Cheryl Broom is joined by several members of the GradComm team to reflect on the innovative projects, creative solutions, and collaborative successes that defined the year.

Throughout the episode, Cheryl sits down with Client Service Manager Rocco to discuss how Mechatronics became the centerpiece of a successful campaign that delivered meaningful results for a client. She also speaks with Creative Director Michael about the importance of preparation in the creative process and why the best ideas often emerge from a strong strategic foundation. Director of Client Services Jamie shares the story behind a comprehensive brand identity project, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how thoughtful branding can transform an institution's image. The conversation concludes with COO Chris, who explains how the GradComm team successfully developed more than 70 advertising assets in just five weeks to meet an ambitious client deadline.

Together, these conversations provide an inside look at the strategy, creativity, and teamwork that drive successful higher education marketing campaigns. Whether you're leading a communications team or looking for fresh ideas to inspire your next project, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experiences.

What You'll Learn:

How strategic collaboration leads to successful higher education marketing campaigns.
What goes into creating impactful branding and creative projects.
Why preparation is essential to developing innovative creative solutions.
How strong project management enables teams to deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines.
Behind-the-scenes lessons from real client projects that can inspire your own marketing efforts.

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 Chuck Fetterly, founder of TEC Direct Media, Inc., to demystify the world of media buying and explain why it's one of the most important and often misunderstood components of a successful higher education marketing strategy.

With more than two decades of experience developing media campaigns for major brands, agencies, and artists including Lady Gaga and Adele, Chuck shares what colleges should look for when selecting a media buying partner and why outsourcing this specialized work can often deliver stronger results. Together, they explore how the media landscape has evolved, the importance of strategic planning and audience targeting, and how institutions can maximize their advertising budgets by placing the right message in front of the right audience at the right time.

Chuck also shares memorable campaign stories from his career, illustrating how creativity and smart media placement can transform a marketing campaign. Whether you're new to media buying or looking to improve your institution's advertising strategy, this episode offers practical insights for making more informed marketing decisions.

What You'll Learn:

What media buying is and why it plays a critical role in higher education marketing.
How to evaluate and choose the right media buying partner.
Why outsourcing media buying can improve campaign performance and efficiency.
How the media landscape has evolved and what colleges should consider when planning advertising campaigns.
Creative strategies for maximizing the impact of media placements and marketing budgets.

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. Kevin Fleming, national speaker, bestselling author, and CEO of Catapult, to explore how colleges can help students discover meaningful career pathways and make informed educational decisions.

Dr. Fleming shares his passion for expanding career awareness by helping students understand the wide range of opportunities available beyond the occupations they commonly encounter growing up. Together, they discuss the difference between unemployment and underemployment, why a traditional four-year degree is not the right path for every student, and how community colleges and career education programs play a critical role in preparing learners for fulfilling, high-demand careers.

The conversation also explores the importance of marketing career education programs and inspiring career exploration at an early age, including insights from Dr. Fleming's children's book, There's a Hat for That!: Exploring Careers That Fit You Best. Filled with practical advice and fresh perspectives, this episode offers valuable guidance for higher education leaders, marketers, counselors, and anyone passionate about helping students find careers that align with their interests, strengths, and goals.

What You'll Learn:

Why career exploration should begin long before students choose a college or career path.
The difference between unemployment and underemployment—and why it matters.
Why a four-year degree is not the best option for every student.
How community colleges and career education programs prepare students for meaningful, in-demand careers.
Strategies for marketing career education programs and helping students discover fulfilling career opportunities.

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 David Ogul, award-winning writer, editor, and Interim Director of College & Community Relations at Grossmont College, to discuss the evolving role of storytelling and communications in higher education.

Drawing on a career that began as a freelance journalist for publications including the Los Angeles Times and The Baltimore Sun, David shares how his background in reporting prepared him for a leadership role in higher education marketing and communications. Together, they discuss the transition from journalism to strategic communications, the challenges of taking on new responsibilities such as media buying and marketing planning, and the value of embracing continuous learning throughout a communications career.

David also offers practical advice for writers at every level, including strategies for overcoming writer's block, conducting meaningful research, and crafting stories that resonate with readers. Whether you're a seasoned communications professional or just beginning your career, this conversation is filled with valuable insights into the art and discipline of effective storytelling.

What You'll Learn:

How journalism skills translate into successful higher education communications.
Strategies for overcoming writer's block and improving the writing process.
Why thorough research is the foundation of compelling storytelling.
Lessons learned from transitioning into strategic marketing and communications leadership.
The importance of continually developing new skills in an evolving communications profession.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
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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. Michael Mahin, award-winning children's author, produced screenwriter, and Senior Communications Strategist at Graduate Communications, to discuss the role authentic storytelling plays in advancing equity, inclusion, and diversity in higher education.

Together, they explore the responsibility communicators and marketers have when telling stories that reflect the diverse communities their institutions serve. Dr. Mahin shares thoughtful strategies for avoiding bias and tone-deaf messaging, building authentic connections with audiences whose experiences differ from their own, and creating communications that foster trust, representation, and belonging. The conversation also examines how inclusive storytelling can help colleges attract and support more diverse student populations while strengthening institutional culture.

Through honest discussion and practical advice, Cheryl and Dr. Mahin address the complexities of communicating across cultures and identities, offering higher education professionals actionable guidance for creating marketing and communications that are both respectful and impactful.

What You'll Learn:

How authentic storytelling can support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Strategies for avoiding bias and tone-deaf messaging in higher education communications.
How communicators can tell stories that respectfully reflect communities outside their own experiences.
Why representation and belonging are essential to student recruitment and engagement.
Practical approaches for creating more inclusive marketing and communications across campus.

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.