“I love networking and making small talk with strangers,” said no one ever. 

Mallory and Seth dive into the vital role of networking, exploring strategies for building meaningful connections both online and in-person. Learn practical tips on how to expand your professional network, the importance of community in conferences, and how to maintain and nurture these relationships for career growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Networking opportunities are a key reason for attending conferences in person.
• Networking falls into two categories: depth (internal relationships) and breadth (external relationships).
• Consistent communication and follow-ups are crucial for maintaining professional connections.
• Leveraging private communities on platforms like Facebook and Slack can enhance networking.
• Volunteering at professional events can facilitate easier interactions and connections.

Register for the free Engage Summit live stream - https://engage.element451.com/register

Networking Tips for Introverts - https://hbr.org/2024/04/5-networking-tips-for-introverts-and-anyone-else

MarComm Barbies on Slack Request Form - https://forms.gle/ciR2adbw1QGmYT7D6

#HigherEdSocial on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/HigherEdSocial

#HigherEdSocial for MarComm on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/higheredsocialmarcomms

AMA Higher Ed on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/AMAHigherEd

Higher Ed Conferences in 2024 - https://voltedu.com/insights/higher-education-marketing-conferences-to-attend-in-2024/

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Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Pulse 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Dayana Kibilds gives her personal and professional perspectives on navigating international recruitment. As a former international student and staff, and now advising institutions on best practices in enrollment marketing, Dayana provides insightful takeaways, including:

• The importance of clear and accessible information on application requirements for international students.
• A need for better, more personalized communication and support throughout the entire higher education journey.
• Consideration for communicating outcomes and career opportunities for F1 students and H1-seeking graduates.
• The imperative to build bridges and assume the best intentions of international students.

Guest Name: Dayana Kibilds

Social Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dayanakibilds/

Guest Bio: Day is a strategy director at Ologie, an employee-owned marketing and branding agency built for education. For over a decade, Day has been leading innovative, digital marketing work with universities worldwide, pushing institutions to use their communications as tools for equity and access. She is an international keynote speaker on enrollment marketing, email strategy, productivity, and stakeholder management. Day is the host of Enrollify's Talking Tactics podcast, and co-author of Mailed It! a book about email coming in August 2024.
As a lifelong immigrant who has lived in six different countries, Day is happy to have made Canada her home. She lives with her son, Romeo, and her husband, Bruno.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Pulse 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Join Mallory and Seth as they discuss the recent trend of rapid presidential turnover in higher education and its implications for marketing and communications teams. With half the Ivy League experiencing leadership changes and shorter tenures becoming the norm, this episode explores why this is happening and offers actionable advice for marketers facing these transitions. Discover how to align with new leadership, secure quick wins, and position yourself as a key player in institutional success.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the Trend: Learn why university presidents are leaving their posts more quickly and what factors contribute to this trend.
• Impact on Marketers: Discover the challenges and opportunities for marketing teams when a new president comes on board.
• Strategic Alignment: Tips on how to align your marketing goals with the new president’s vision and priorities.
• Quick Wins: Strategies for achieving short-term victories that support long-term initiatives.
• Change Management: How to position yourself as a change agent and drive impactful projects.
• Career Path: Insights into the potential for marketers to ascend to university presidencies and why this could benefit institutions.

Yale University names Maurie McInnis as its 24th president: https://apnews.com/article/yale-president-maurie-mcinnis-stony-brook-3325f531c6129f8348e9ec5a915a8fa6
The Impossible College Presidency: https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-impossible-college-presidency 
The Past Month Has Seen a Flurry of No-Confidence Votes in College Presidents: https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-past-month-has-seen-a-flurry-of-no-confidence-votes-in-college-presidents
University of La Verne President Out After 10 Months: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/06/13/university-la-verne-president-out-after-10-months
Parting Thoughts from a Retiring President: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/governance/executive-leadership/2024/06/10/interview-departing-hamilton-president-david

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Pulse 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this Bonus announcement, join Mallory, Chief Strategist of Enrollify, as she introduces the newly relaunched Enrollify.org. This episode highlights the fresh features and content now available on the site, emphasizing Enrollify’s commitment to revolutionizing higher education. Learn about the variety of resources—from podcasts to ourses to webinars—that can help professionals make impactful changes in their careers and institutions.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Pulse 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In Part 3 of this Pulse Check series on International Recruiting, guest Ruby Nagashima gives listeners an inside look into what makes Soka University a destination institution for international students. 

Takeaways:

• Being intentional and mission-driven are key to international student recruitment and success.
• Soka’s inclusive culture, financial aid, and student engagement contribute to a unique and accessible educational experience.
• Requirements like mandatory study abroad for both domestic and international students create a sense of mutual understanding and respect.
• Having resources like credential analysts removes barriers to international student admissions.

Guest Name: Ruby Nagashima

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruby-nagashima-591a9111/

Guest Bio: Ruby Nagashima serves as the Director of Student Leadership and Service Engagement at Soka University of America and has over 17 years of experience in higher education. She developed the Soka Contributive Leadership Framework used to oversee student leadership development and is the foundation for the Leadership 100: Theory into Practice course. She oversees the curriculum, implementation, and assessment of the Emerging Leaders Program and the Alternative Spring Break programs and is experienced in leading workshops and retreats aimed at producing innovative leaders for a more just and equitable society. She is passionate about students' sense of inclusion and belonging on-campus and in supporting students find their unique voice and contribution to their communities. Her research interests include leadership development, minoritized student voices in service-learning, global citizenship education, and Ikeda/Soka studies. Ruby holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of California, Los Angeles.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Pulse 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Mallory and Seth dive into the significance of personal branding, especially in today's volatile job market. They share personal stories and actionable advice on how to build and maintain a personal brand that stands out. From leveraging LinkedIn to the power of newsletters and speaking engagements, this episode is packed with tips for higher ed professionals at any stage of their career.

• Audit Your LinkedIn Profile: Ensure it reflects your current skills and professional image.
• Identify Your Expertise: Define what you want to be known for and focus your content around these themes.
• Engage in Content Creation: Start posting on LinkedIn or other platforms to share your knowledge and insights.
• Build Relationships: Networking and personal branding go hand-in-hand; invest in building meaningful connections.
• Embrace Conflict: Don't shy away from sharing controversial or challenging opinions; it can drive engagement and growth.
• Use Tools: Leverage analytics tools like Shield App to optimize your LinkedIn strategy.

https://engage.element451.com/register

https://hbr.org/2024/05/your-personal-brand-needs-a-refresh-heres-where-to-start

https://www.shieldapp.ai/

https://mailchi.mp/ashleybudd/inbox?mc_cid=f252eae153&mc_eid=481c140c8a

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Pulse 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In Part 2 of this Pulse Check series on International Recruiting, guest host Kin Sejpal is joined by Cynthia Chilton, an expert in international marketing, to discuss her experience marketing to international students at higher education institutions like Pepperdine and Westcliff. 

Key takeaways include:

• Understanding the target market and cultural differences is crucial in international marketing.
• Word-of-mouth plays a significant role in international student recruitment.
• Advertising in international markets requires careful and upfront research.
• Listening to students and alumni for cultural alignment is key in developing effective marketing strategies.

Guest Name: Cynthia Chilton

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

Guest Bio: Cynthia Chilton is an experienced marketing professional with over 20 years of experience in developing teams and executing strategies that drive revenue growth. She has consulted for and led teams representing organizations such as Nordstrom, Experian, Pepperdine University, and Westcliff University. Her passion for leadership, vision, and strategy provides a competitive and proactive advantage for companies and institutions. Cynthia has earned a bachelor's degree and an MBA from Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business, focusing on Leadership and Managing Organizational Change.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Pulse 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this episode of The Pulse, Mallory and Seth dive into the controversial topic of cutting degree programs to address budget shortfalls and declining enrollments. They explore the recent example of St. Cloud State University, which is planning to cut 46 degree programs and reduce faculty by 13%. Seth offers a contrarian view, suggesting that strategic program cuts can actually drive growth by reallocating resources to high-demand areas. They discuss the importance of aligning educational offerings with market and employer demands, and emphasize the crucial role marketers can play in these decisions.

Key Takeaways:

• Cutting programs can drive growth by reallocating resources to higher-demand areas.
• Aligning educational offerings with employer and market demands is crucial for financial health.
• Marketers should earn a seat at the table in academic restructuring conversations.
• Using tools like paid search data and market demand analysis can inform strategic decisions.
• Scenario planning and presenting data-backed recommendations are essential for making impactful decisions.
• Understanding regional and national demand trends helps in making informed program cuts and investments.

Related Articles:
https://www.highereddive.com/news/st-cloud-state-cut-majors-programs-larry-lee/715583/
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/business/cost-cutting/2024/02/20/another-wave-campus-cuts-hits-midwest-especially-hard
https://www.statenews.org/news/2024-02-21/ohio-universities-keep-cutting-programs-whats-the-deal

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Pulse 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Welcome to Part 1 of this new Pulse Check series on International Recruiting. Join guest host Kin Sejpal as she is joined by Clay Hensley, a seasoned international education expert with 20+ experience with the College Board, to discuss key trends in international recruitment and education. In this episode you will learn about:

• Current international student mobility trends
• Importance of localization to disparate markets
• Drivers and motivations of students by country and continent
• What the future may hold for international recruitment

Guest Name: Clay Hensley 

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

Guest Bio: With more than two decades of experience supporting the global engagement of higher education institutions, Clay Hensley frequently presents on issues impacting international education & student mobility. Clay has served on several advisory boards, including those affiliated with U.S. Department of State’s Open Doors Report, the IC3 Movement, International Education Advantage (Intead), & the Council of International Schools (CIS), respectively. Clay currently works with several partners, including NACAC, IB, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Cialfo, Northeastern University, among others. Clay previously led international higher education engagement for the College Board, and was awarded the annual Distinguished Service Award by International-ACAC in 2013. Clay has also taught at the secondary and the tertiary-level.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Pulse 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this final part of our Pulse Check series on Leadership in Higher Ed, listeners can get a sense of why collaboration matters in marketing and strategies to help build collaboration with their own teams. Additionally, listeners will learn where are smart places to begin collaboration and how to approach that with intentionality. Finally, leaders will learn strategies for managing critics and how to make structural changes to support collaboration. 

Guest Name: Elias Martinez - Texas State University

Guest Social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtzcreative/
https://twitter.com/mtzcreative

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Pulse 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register