We’ve made it through another season of Josie and The Podcast – and as we celebrate the end of Season 6, we’re also celebrating my birthday! To commemorate these milestones, I wanted to use this final episode to reflect on this past season and this era of my life.

One of several themes this season was technology, specifically AI. What better way to help me recap the season than by asking AI to help pull moments that sparked conversation and community for us all. Turns out, we talked a lot about change, community, and mindfulness – a few of my favorite things!

Birthdays are a big time for reflection. I asked you all for questions to answer, and you delivered. The episode is packed with life lessons, reminding you that progress doesn't require a grand plan. I advocate for starting small because the momentum created can be transformative. The episode ends with a powerful message of self-acceptance, reminding you that we are all a blend of strength and vulnerability, deserving of grace and moments to pause.

And while the season may be over, I’d love to stay connected over the summer break! Follow me on social media and/or sign up for my monthly newsletter delivered to your inbox to receive updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and a healthy dose of fun. Plus, don’t miss the Real Talk Higher Ed Series – a monthly show where we tackle the big issues in higher education with an experienced and caring panel of professionals.

 Thank you for being part of season 6! I look forward to seeing what's in store for season 7. Until next time – sending all the digital love and hugs.

Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM. The show is also sponsored by Element451.

For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to 

https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/this-is-43-josies-version/

Connect with Josie:

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Josie and the Podcast is on social too!

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Mentioned in the episode:

• Element 451 Engage Summit 

• Dr. Josie Ahqluist: Pioneering Positive Social Media Guidance in Student Affairs - SA Voices from the Field podcast

• Real Talk Higher Ed Series Registration

• Supervisor Version of Student Social Media Academy 

• Radiant Life Retreat

• Digital Leadership in Higher Education - Josie Ahlquist

• Element451

• University FM

If you ask Dr. Jill Creighton where her favorite place in the world is, she’ll tell you it’s the place she hasn’t been to yet. As a world traveler, Jill leads organizations in global engagement, social impact, and crisis management in the higher education sector.

Before starting in her current role as the Associate Vice President for Global Operations at the Institute for Study Abroad, Jill spent years working in student affairs – a passion that stretches back to her dissertation on American college students’ study abroad behavior. Jill also hosts SA: Voices from the Field, a podcast with NASPA. 

In this episode, Jill discusses her philosophy of navigating the world as a traveler and not a tourist, her observations of study abroad programs across the globe, and how the podcast SA: Voices from the Field is sharing the stories of the people who make student affairs come to life. 

Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM.

For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to: https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/being-a-traveler-not-a-tourist-with-jill-creighton/

Connect with Jill:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjillcreighton/ 

SA Voices email: [email protected] 

Connect with Josie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josieahlquist/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josieahlquist Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josieandthepodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/josieahlquist

Podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/JosieATPodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJosieAhlquist/

Website: www.josieahlquist.com

Email: [email protected]

Mentioned in the episode:

Dr. Kelly Alvarado-Young on LinkedIn 

Dr. Peter Hansen on LinkedIn

SA: Voices from the Field podcast

Colorado Symphony 

Chris Lombardi Acapella on YouTube

Chris Lombardi Acapella on TikTok 

Hunt the Wumpus computer game

Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange

From Qatar to Consultancy: Transitions in Dr. Denny Roberts' Career 

Dr. Chris Lewis on LinkedIn 

NASPA official site 

Step aside Gen Z, because Generation Alpha is here and making its identity known. Born between 2010 and 2025, Alpha’s are highly digitally-integrated and are set to become the most educated generation. 

For insight on Gen Alpha, I brought in a diverse group of guests to speak to what’s ahead. You’ll hear from AJ Lopez, social media & media relations manager at Texas Woman’s University (and parent of two Gen Alphas); Dr. Meghan Grace, researcher, consultant, generational expert; Dr. Amber Williams, Vice Provost for Student Success at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville (also a parent of a Gen Alpha); and Ava Christopher, a Gen Alpha herself, and the cousin of my marketing manager, Kati Hartwig. 

As we gear up for this new generation of diverse, intelligent, and independent people, it’s clear that higher ed is going to have to evolve to fit their needs. So what’s the first step? 

Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM. The show is also sponsored by Element451.

For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/little-giants-big-world-of-gen-alpha/

Connect with Josie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josieahlquist/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josieahlquist

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josieandthepodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/josieahlquist

Podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/JosieATPodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJosieAhlquist/

Website: www.josieahlquist.com

Email: [email protected]

Mentioned in the episode:

Element 451 Engage Summit

*Remember to use code JOSIE50 for an exclusive discount through March 31st!*

NASPA session with Tim Alexander: Is Student Affairs Ready for Influencer Marketing? 

Influencer Marketing and Its Place in Higher Education | Josie and the Podcast

ACPA Annual Convention

NASPA Virtual Conference

AMA Virtual Conference: Marketing in Higher Education

Student Social Media Academy

Engaging the Digital Generation

AJ Lopez | Texas Women’s University

Dr. Meghan Grace | researcher, consultant, generational expert

Dr. Amber Williams | University of Tennessee

Gen Alpha Primer from Ologie

McCrindle

Ashley Fell

Gen Alpha will be more diverse than the rest of the US population (Insider Intelligence)

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Inside the Tween Obsession With Drunk Elephant Skin Care (Glamour Magazine)

Skincare Smoothies

James Charles

Preparing for Gen Alpha Students: Everything Will Be Different (Volt)

6 Tips for Marketing Higher Ed to Generation Alpha

Students Like You | Seton Hall University

The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach

Faith Hitch on TikTok

Generation research from Dr. Meghan Grace and Dr. Corey Semiller

A common theme I noticed throughout today's conversation with Mike Muñoz was a focus on breathing. Whether it was metaphorically taking a breather from doom scrolling, or literally stopping yourself for a quiet moment to feel your chest move up and down. Mike’s commitment to self-preservation, his warm persona and dedication to his campus are a driving force behind his work. 

Dr. Mike Muñoz, Superintendent and President of Long Beach City College (LBCC), is a nationally recognized leader, passionate about closing the equity gap, creating inclusive environments, and driving innovation.

He joined me this episode to chat about the innovative strategies he is implementing at LBCC to foster a sense of belonging and support for students, and the role of social media in enhancing accessibility and engagement. Mike discusses on campus initiatives like 'Paletas with the President,' designed to connect with students while honoring his ethnicity, and his approach to addressing challenges faced by specific groups, such as students with dependents and those experiencing homelessness. 

He also emphasizes the importance of empathy, authenticity, and self-care in leadership, and highlights how sharing these values through social media can serve as a powerful platform for uplifting and connecting communities. 

Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM. The show is also sponsored by Element451.

For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/protecting-your-light-with-dr-mike-munoz/

Mentioned in the episode:

Element 451 Engage Summit 

*Remember to use code JOSIE50 for an exclusive discount through March 31st!*

Teddy Ruxpin

Long Beach City College (@lbcitycollege) • Instagram 

Long Beach City College

Long Beach City College | LinkedIn

Paletas With The President

LBCC - President's Circle Funds

Students with Dependents - Long Beach City College

Want to Become a Peer Advisor? - Long Beach City College

LBCC and Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach Launch New Service to Help Student Parents

LBCC Launches Pilot Program for Student Overnight Parking 

Long Beach City College - YouTube

Long Beach City College - Facebook

LB City College (@LBCityCollege) / X

Connect with Mike:

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Josie and the Podcast is on social too!

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Diving into the world of Artificial intelligence (AI) can be intimidating. Or maybe you’re unsure about using it at all. No one is an expert in these tools right now (unless, maybe, you happen to be one of the tool creators), meaning there is so much room for playfulness and exploration open to those willing to try.  

In this episode, I’ll cover the importance of staying updated with changing AI trends, discuss possible concerns and benefits of integrating AI in higher ed, provide practical and effective steps for experimenting with AI, and recommend several (several) resources for learning more.

I am also in the early stages of exploring, so I wanted to seek some advice from my colleagues and hear all about how they're using different tools. Throughout the episode, you’ll hear from me; Carrie Phillips, Chief Communications Officer at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; Claire Brady, President of Glass Half Full Consulting (and a former Vice President for Student Affairs); and Joel Villarani, Director of Social Media at Florida International University.

AI doesn’t have to be scary, and it can be incredibly helpful! The potential benefits are limitless if we can maintain a humanized approach to AI implementation in higher education. 

Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM. The show is also sponsored by Element451.

For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/in-my-ai-era/ 

Connect with Josie:

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Josie and the Podcast is on social too!

Podcast Instagram

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Mentioned in the episode:

• Student Social Media Academy

• 2024 NASPA Annual Conference, Seattle

• ACPA24 // Chicago, IL | ACPA

• Josie Episode: Building Community vs. Facilitating Community

• Chat GPT

• Gemini

• Grammarly

• Perplexity

• HubSpot: AI Trends for Marketers 2023 Report

• Claude AI

• Consensus

• Carrie Phillips - Communications and Marketing

• Carrie Phillips, Ed.D. - University of Arkansas at Little Rock | LinkedIn

• Claire Brady, Ed.D | LinkedIn

• Claire Brady, Ed.D - Glass Half Full Consulting

• Joel Villarini Falbe - Florida International University | LinkedIn

• Social Media | Strategic Communications, Government and External Affairs | Florida International University

• Josie's LinkedIn: Grounding Student Affairs Work in Technology: ACPA/NASPA Approves Updated Competencies

• Inside Higher Education 2023 - Benefits and Challenges of AI Report

• The New Academic Arms Race - The Chronicle

• Higher Ed Pulse Podcast: Beyond Bricks and Clicks: Shaping the Future of Higher Ed Marketing

• Study: AI Adoption and Higher Ed Leadership

• Risks and rewards higher ed should know when investing in AI

• AI Plus | University at Albany

• $60M gift to establish major initiative in artificial intelligence at IU

• AI Center Opening at MDC

• A new collaboration with OpenAI charts the future of AI in higher education | ASU News

• DALL·E 3

• The Element451 AI Learning Center

• Bart Caylor - Caylor Solutions | LinkedIn

• Caylor Solutions

• Evertrue

• Mallory Willsea - Enrollify | LinkedIn

• Digital Leadership in Higher Education - Josie Ahlquist

• Element 451 Engage Summit 

*Remember to use code JOSIE50 for an exclusive discount through April 14th!*

• Element451

• University FM

It is so difficult to be mindful online these days. The apps and algorithms are just not designed to keep us in the present. And with so much curation necessary to creative our idea of a “perfect profile,”  how can we make sure we are showing up in our digital accounts and profiles in a heartful way?

Well, my guest today has mastered the art and science of being her whole self online. Whether she is weaving the values her grandmother taught her into presentations, or sharing the intimacies of her adoption journey on social media, Dr. Shea Kidd Brown consistently stays true to her commitment to sharing both her personal and professional journeys openly and genuinely.

Shea has enjoyed a long career in college administration at a number of institutions of higher education in the southeastern region and now serves as the Vice President for Campus Life at Wake Forest University. 

In this episode, Shea discusses her perspective on storytelling, congruency and the importance of bringing humanity into digital spaces. We’ll also dive into how balancing personal and professional narratives is essential for creating an impactful online presence and how Shea uses these platforms to create active, mindful connections for her campus community. 

Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM. The show is also sponsored by Element451.

For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/shea-kidd-brown/

Mentioned in the episode:

Element 451 Engage Summit 

*Remember to use code JOSIE50 for an exclusive discount!*

Wake Forest News during Black History Month

Wake Forest Campus Fellow Gretchen Castelloe

Milkshake Monday

Wake Up Wednesday

Kidd You Not Podcast

Kidd You Not Episode 10: Coach Steve Forbes

Connect with Shea:

LinkedIn

Instagram

Twitter/X

Facebook

Who We Are - Division of Campus Life

Wake Forest University

Kidd You Not Podcast

Connect with Josie:

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Josie and the Podcast is on social too!

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Dayana Kibilds sees content as a tool for equity, and strives to help students access the educational institutions they deserve to be a part of. She is also living for unapologetic joy and keeping her work in marketing and communications human-centered. Dayana, or Day, is strategy director at Ologie, an employee-owned marketing and branding strategy built for education. Prior to Ologie, Day led enrollment and digital innovation work at Penn State, Cornell and Western University in Ontario, Canada. Day is also the host of Enrollify's Talking Tactics podcast, and is co-authoring a book about email to be released in spring 2024. 

From Mexico to Germany, Day’s career and homes have spanned the globe. And in this episode, we chat about them all. We’ll talk about making deliberate career choices and how she once left her job without a plan, how email is the ugly duckling of any communications or marketing mix, how her podcast Talking Tactics fills the gap she saw in higher ed, and a bit about how she is utilizing LinkedIn these days.

Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM. The show is also sponsored by Element451.

For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/talking-human-centered-tactics-with-dayana-kibilds/

Mentioned in the episode:

Element 451 Engage Summit 

*Remember to use code JOSIE50 for an exclusive discount!*

Ashley Budd

Talking Tactics on Apple Podcasts

Higher Ed Social Facebook group

Dayana’s LinkedIn post - Her First Marketing Emails 

Day’s 10 Days of Email on LinkedIn

Connect with Day:

Dayana Kibilds - Ologie | LinkedIn

Day (@kibilds) on Threads 

Dayana Kibilds

Ologie

Connect with Josie:

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Facebook

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Josie and the Podcast is on social too!

Podcast Instagram

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Podcast Threads

If you know me, you know I talk about community - all the time. Reflecting on the work of Marcus Collins, I spend this episode diving into the roles we all play in community, and how we can all evolve together. We’ll discuss how we can show up and be active advocates for our communities, defining belonging as a facet of community and how this all translates to student success. 

But we’ll also dig into what a community really is. Is it though the memes we share on our schools’ social media account, the campus itself, the culture the students share, or the staff we bring on at the higher levels?

We’re also trying something new this episode, and sharing an interview I did recently with Tim Alexander, the Resident Director at Chapman University. If you were at the NASPA Western Regional Conference, you may remember he ended up being a big part of my session.

In this episode, Tim talks about how he implemented ideas from my Digital Community Cohort to create meaningful social media content that humanized Chapman’s RAs and staff even before the semester kicked off. He digs into his favorite parts of facilitating community on campus, and how he's serving the unique needs of first-year students.

Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM. The show is also sponsored by Element451.

For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/building-community-vs-facilitating-community-and-the-work-of-belonging-in-digital-communities/

Connect with Josie:

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Josie and the Podcast is on social too!

Podcast Instagram

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Podcast Threads

Mentioned in the episode:

• If you didn’t share a recap video, did 2023 even happen? | The Washington Post 

• Taylor Lorenz: Washington Post, Instagram, Book: Extremely Online 

• Embedded by Kate Lindsey

• No or low spend challenges 

• Renew Retreats

• The Digital Community Cohort

• Student Social Media Academy

• 2023 AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education

• Dr. Marcus Collins - Professor | Best-Selling Author | Keynote Speaker

• For the Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be by Marcus Collins

• The State of Social Media in 2023: How You Can Build Communities, Drive Sales, and Go Viral, According to 1,000+ Social Media Managers | Hubspot

• Podcast: Crossover episode of the Trusted Voices Podcast and Higher Voltage

• Belonging: Why it is the next step on the equity, diversity and inclusion ladder | Times Higher Education

• 5 Components of Student Belonging | EAB

• Podcast: Influencer Marketing and Its Place in Higher Education | Josie Ahlquist

• How a Sense of Belonging Promotes College Success | Learning Research & Development Center | University of Pittsburgh

• Iowa State Inclusive Classroom Training

• Emerging social media job titles you need to know for 2024 | Sprout Social

• Tim Alexander LinkedIn

• NASPA Western Regional Sessions

• Chapman University The Office of Residence Life and First Year Experience Instagram

• Chapman University Move Out Information Video

• 2024 NASPA Annual Conference, Seattle

• Register for the Digital Community Cohort

With this episode kicking off our new year, I’ve been thinking a lot about time and energy. Balancing time between your work life and home life, investing time in students, time with family, and all the time we lost to the pandemic. Our guest has also been thinking about it today, as she reflects on grief and prioritizes time spent in different places. But also the fun and freeness that being a Swiftie brings.

After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, Rachel Putman close to a decade as a journalist, and joined the world of higher education in 2014, finding her passion at the intersection of story-telling and education. 

Today, Rachel is the Director of Communications at the University of Arkansas. She manages a team of incredible student workers on the UAFS campus each year who run BeReal, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook campaigns. 

We chat about the power of Taylor Swift, having partners in the music industries, learning grief while building a career, working at regional public colleges. We also get into the good marketing stuff, gushing over UAFS Chancellor Terisa Riley, Rachel’s award-winning student social media outreach campaign Mental Health Monday, and bringing students on board to help with social media.

Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM. The show is also sponsored by Element451.

For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/bringing-swiftie-energy-to-higher-ed-with-rachel-putman/

Mentioned in the episode:

Norma Jean

AMA Higher Ed Barbie Party

Rachel and an early IMB Computer from her Grandpa

Epic Rap Battles - ERB

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Forty under 40

Terisa Riley // From First Gen to First Fem - Josie and the PodcastMental Health Monday | CASE

Student Social Media Academy

Digital Community Cohort

Digital Leadership in Higher Education

Connect with Rachel:

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Rachel Putman - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

Connect with Josie:

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Josie and the Podcast is on social too!

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Podcast Twitter/XPodcast Threads

Our tree is up, the lights are lit, and the annual gingerbread house competition has been scheduled. It is officially the holiday season. As I reflect on the past year and look ahead to what's coming in 2024, this year theme as been all about students.  My work approach and philosophy are centered; on who we are here to serve, and usually in higher ed, that is, our students. My work approach and philosophy are centered on the people we are here to serve, and in higher education, that is, our students.

In marketing and communications, students are integrated in all formal and informal ways and titles, from student workers, interns, influencers, ambassadors, and student employees. But the TL;DR version of this is students won't solve all your problems,  and when you bring them on, there can be a lot of challenges. A lot of them. So, is it worth it? 

Students having an active part in your campus social media strategy can be significantly impactful - but you’ll need to find and hire the right students, provide timely and ongoing training, and establish trust with them. 

This session will be your cheat sheet to work with students differently in 2024. It’s time to get strategic, just like you do with all your marketing efforts. And trust me, not only will you get great content - but you’ll be positioned to transform the lives of your students - and probably yours too. 

Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM. The show is also sponsored by Element451.

For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/should-we-stop-hiring-students-to-help-with-social-strategy/

Connect with Josie:

LinkedIn

Instagram

Threads

Twitter/X

Facebook

Website

Email

Josie and the Podcast is on social too!

Podcast Instagram

Podcast Twitter/X

Podcast Threads

Mentioned in the episode:

• Candle warmer

• Milk frother

• Portable charger

• Epic Rap Battles of History is back!

• My first TikTok!

• Higher Ed Social Media Managers and Their Mental Health

• 2023 AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education

• AMA Pre Con Workshop - Developing Student Creators to Enhance Authentic Content Strategy

• Joel Villarini Falbe

• Cassaundra Moore

• Rachel Putman

• Morgan Campbell

• How to Support Students Who Run Campus Social 

• Callie Goodwin Airtable Resources

• Student Development Theory

• Student Social Media Academy

• Renew Retreats

• Digital Community Building Cohort