In this episode of The Comm Department Podcast, Phil Goodman and Libby Alvarez sit down with Levi Miller, Director of Marketing & Communications at Little Rock Christian Academy and a member of the Elevate Advisory Council, to reflect on Elevate 2026, the start of a new school year, and what they’re carrying forward from the conference.

The conversation quickly moves beyond marketing tactics into one of the ideas at the heart of Elevate: community over competition. Phil, Libby, and Levi talk about the importance of relational equity, influence over title, building trust across campus, and creating a professional community where people are willing to share both what’s working and where they’re struggling.

They also dig into some of the practical ideas coming out of Elevate 2026, including the continued shift toward authentic, student-centered social content; balancing cinematic storytelling with quick, organic content; and becoming more intentional about what marketing and communications teams say yes—and no—to.

In This Episode

• What the beginning of the school year looks like at Brentwood Academy, Lipscomb Academy, and Little Rock Christian Academy
• Why relationships and trust are essential for school marketing and communications leaders
• Why leadership is more about influence than title
• Reflecting on five years of Elevate
• How Elevate has grown while maintaining a strong sense of community
• Why community over competition continues to shape the Elevate experience
• The value of hallway conversations, shared experiences, and relationships outside the formal conference sessions
• The shift toward more authentic, student-centered social media content
• Finding the balance between highly produced cinematic content and quick, organic storytelling
• Why communications teams need to become more proactive and intentional about what they prioritize
• Creating space to celebrate great work through Elevate’s Celebrate the Wins
• The launch of the new Elevate Advisory Council
• A first look at MyElevate, the new year-round digital home for the Elevate community
• Looking ahead to Elevate 2027 at Santa Fe Christian Schools in San Diego

Phil also shares a preview of MyElevate, a new community platform designed to keep Elevate attendees connected throughout the year through member profiles, messaging, resources, events, podcast access, prayer requests, and more. Registration for Elevate 2027 will also live inside the platform.

And finally, the group looks ahead to Elevate 2027 in San Diego at Santa Fe Christian Schools, with early bird registration opening November 2.

The Big Idea

Elevate has never been about gathering experts on a stage. It’s about bringing school marketing and communications leaders around the same table, recognizing that everyone has something valuable to contribute, and creating a place where people can learn, grow, encourage one another, and become better at the work they’ve been called to do.

Community over competition. Growth over ego. Relationships that continue long after the conference ends.

In this episode of The Comm Dept Podcast, Phil Goodman of Brentwood Academy is joined by Libby Alvarez of Lipscomb Academy and Jennifer Crouch of Nashville Christian for an honest and encouraging conversation about the past semester in independent school marketing and communications. Together, they recap key wins, challenges, and lessons learned, and reflect on how their teams navigated a season full of change, opportunity, and growth.

The conversation then turns toward the future, as Phil, Libby, and Jennifer share what they’re looking ahead to in 2026, emerging opportunities they’re watching, and practical ways communications teams can begin preparing now for the next chapter. They also offer a brief teaser for Elevate 2026, sharing why the conference continues to be a meaningful space for learning and community—and yes, registration is officially open.

In this conversation, Phil Goodman engages with Alex Marr, Director of Creative Services, and Brandon Roberts, Director of Video from McCallie School, to discuss their roles, the unique positioning of the school, recent creative projects, and future aspirations. They explore the dynamics of their creative team, the importance of strategic planning, and the challenges of engaging students in creative processes. The discussion also touches on industry trends in education marketing and the significance of maintaining high-quality content amidst changing attention spans.

In this episode, David Beall, Director of Communications and Marketing at Hebron Christian Academy, shares his experience of growing his team and tackling new challenges. He highlights the exciting initiatives at Hebron, including launching a special needs school facility and the major capital campaign to fund it.

David also discusses the evolution of their marketing strategies, their commitment to storytelling through an upcoming inaugural school magazine, and how their Christ-centered approach impacts the students, families, and community. Whether you're interested in the inner workings of independent schools or passionate about education and marketing, this episode offers rich insights into a thriving Christian academy.

Tune in to hear about the power of mission-driven leadership and how it can transform an entire school culture!

Previously, Daniel Clarke served as the CEO & Founder of School Website, which was successfully sold in December 2016, being acquired by Finalsite. Since then, Daniel has been actively involved in various advisory boards in a non-executive capacity and has invested in early-stage companies. He also serves as a mentor to several CEOs. In 2022, he founded Ubiq with the mission to challenge conventional approaches to school marketing and communication. Ubiq encourages innovative thinking while emphasizing the importance of data-driven technology and a focus on achieving superior outcomes.

We are thankful for Ubiq's support of Elevate and their exclusive sponsorship at Elevate 2024 in Nashville.

You can learn more about Ubiq at: https://www.ubiqeducation.com/

In this conversation, Libby Alvarez and Dawn Saunders discuss various aspects of branding and team management. They share their experiences dealing with conflict and miscommunication, building and managing marketing teams, and finding and working with external partners. They also talk about maintaining a strong brand, navigating changes and pivoting, and involving students in marketing efforts. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of collaboration, communication, and flexibility in achieving marketing goals. The hosts discuss the value of real-time experiences for students and the importance of incorporating the student voice. They also highlight the wins at Santa Fe Christian, including a student-led podcast and a new admissions piece. The conversation then shifts to the positive experience at the Elevate conference, where communication and marketing professionals from schools nationwide come together to learn from each other.

Takeaways

• Effective communication and collaboration are essential for resolving conflicts and addressing miscommunication within a team.
• Building a strong marketing team requires finding the right balance between internal and external resources.
• Maintaining a strong brand involves consistent messaging and visual identity across all marketing channels.
• Being open to change and willing to pivot when necessary is crucial for adapting to new circumstances and achieving marketing goals.
• Involving students in marketing efforts can provide valuable insights and help create a sense of ownership and pride in the school's brand.

Phil Goodman and Libby Alvarez discuss the new Comm Dept. Podcast and what the podcast is all about. Learn more about Elevate Conference coming up in April as they talk about what makes Elevate a unique and special conference.