Faith Leaders Mini-Series - Episode 207 (2 of 4)

In this special mini-series, Bart Caylor and Zach Coffin (VP of The Higher Ed Marketer and Pastor) explore the intersection of faith and higher education. Each week they engage in meaningful conversations with Christian higher ed leaders from across the country.

This week they’re joined by Dr. Phil Cook, President of the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals (NACCAP). With over 30 years of experience in enrollment and leadership, Phil shares how Christian colleges can balance performance with purpose—navigating enrollment pressures while staying rooted in mission and faith.

The conversation explores the role of spiritual authenticity in the recruitment journey, the growing importance of clarity in institutional identity, and how Christian colleges can respond strategically to cultural, technological, and generational shifts in 2025.

🎧 Listen to Learn:
✅ Why mission-fit matters more than ever in a competitive admissions landscape
✅ How “real recognizes real” is the new rule of enrollment marketing
✅ Why direct admissions and digital strategies aren’t enough without authenticity
✅ How Christian colleges can lead in a world shaped by AI and rising skepticism

Join the Discussion:
03:15 What is NACCAP and Who Does It Serve?
05:05 Mission-Driven Enrollment and Data-Driven Metrics
08:22 The Evolving Role of Faith in the Admissions Funnel
12:35 Real Recognizes Real: Why Authenticity Wins
16:25 How to Equip Staff for Faith-Centered, Relational Recruitment
25:15 The Role of Community in a Post-AI Admissions Landscape
31:56 What Keeps Christian Higher Ed Leaders Up at Night
34:32 Final Thoughts: Work While You Wait, Worship as You Lead

The Faith Leaders Mini-Series is sponsored by the Association for Biblical Higher Education, an organization serving over 158 faith-based institutions, 72,000 across North America. ABHE seeks to Advance Biblical Higher Education for Kingdom Impact. Learn more at ABHE.org. 

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To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player. The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, and branding needs—and sponsored by Ring Digital, your ad targeting people.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Faith Leaders Mini-Series - Episode 206 (1 of 4)

In this special mini-series, Bart Caylor and Zach Coffin (VP of The Higher Ed Marketer) explore the intersection of faith and higher education. Each week of this series they have thoughtful discussions with a Christian Higher Ed leader from across the country. 

This week they are joined by Dr. Philip Dearborn, President of The Association for Biblical Higher Ed (ABHE).  Philip unpacks the evolving landscape of Christian higher education, emphasizing the importance of community, leadership, and adapting to change. He shares insights on the challenges faced by institutions, the unique value of discipleship, and the opportunities presented by AI and competency-based education. The conversation highlights the need for self-awareness in leadership and the importance of embracing generational differences to foster collaboration and innovation in education.

🎧 Listen to Learn:

✅ Higher education is not the same that it was 15 years ago.

✅ It’s time we embrace flourishing, not just survival.

✅ We need to learn to listen cross-generationally to thrive in the future.

✅ As more people embrace AI, Christian campuses can be a leader for human connection.

Join the Discussion:

03:00 Understanding ABHE: A New Era in Biblical Higher Education

05:58 Challenges in Christian Higher Education: A Race to the Bottom

09:01 The Unique Value of Community in Christian Higher Ed

11:57 Opportunities for Growth: Navigating Change in Higher Education

18:07 Leadership and Self-Awareness: Understanding Your Role

20:59 Generational Dynamics: Bridging the Gap in Education

23:47 Competency-Based Education: Tailoring Learning to Individual Needs

26:48 Harnessing AI: Transforming Online Education

29:58 The Future of Leadership: Embracing Change and Innovation

The Faith Leaders Mini-Series is sponsored by the Association for Biblical Higher Education, an organization serving over 158 faith-based institutions, 72,000 across North America. ABHE seeks to Advance Biblical Higher Education for Kingdom Impact. Learn more at ABHE.org. 

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To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.

The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, and branding needs.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We’re thrilled to announce the Faith Leaders Mini Series—a special four-week series of episodes focused on the unique opportunities, challenges, and innovations within Christian higher education.

Hosted by Bart Caylor and joined by guest co-host Zach Coffin, VP of The Higher Ed Marketer, this series features conversations with influential leaders from across the country and around the world. Together, they explore how faith and mission shape enrollment, advancement, leadership, and campus culture. Whether you serve in a faith-based institution or simply are curious about this unique perspective, these conversations blend rich insights with practical wisdom for your day-to-day work.

And the summer at The Higher Ed Marketer is just getting started.

We’ve got an incredible summer lineup ahead—packed with the latest marketing trends, real-world strategies, and fresh inspiration to help you gear up for a strong fall. With new voices, bold ideas, and a spirit of optimism, this is the perfect season to stay plugged in.

Sneak Peak at the Summer of The Higher Ed Marketer:

• Faith Leader Mini-Series

• Zeemee Summer Series

• Best of Series

• Season 7 drops September

➡️ Subscribe now, leave us a review, and connect with us on LinkedIn so you don’t miss a moment.

The Faith Leaders Mini Series kicks off next week!

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this conversation, Jeff Salyer, shares insights from his recent transition into Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing at Lee University. He draws parallels between ultra running and the challenges of enrollment, emphasizing the need for effective communication and listening to stakeholders. Jeff also highlights the significance of engaging with external partners and the power of storytelling in shaping the university's brand and connecting with prospective students. 

🎧 Listen to Learn:

✅Enrollment is a long game — it takes endurance, not quick wins.

✅Storytelling helps students see themselves in your institution’s journey.

✅Video is one of the most effective ways to connect with prospective students.

✅Authentic communication matters more to students than polished marketing.

✅Listening to your campus and community builds better strategy.

Join the Discussion:

02:47 Leadership Surprises in Higher Education

05:52 The Endurance of Enrollment: An Ultra Runner's Perspective

11:56 Engaging with External Partners

15:05 The Power of Storytelling in Marketing

18:00 Rhetoric and Storytelling: Insights from Pixar

20:57 Innovative Use of Video in Higher Education

26:05 Building Community Through Digital Platforms

32:25 Leadership Insights for Enrollment Marketing

Today’s episode is sponsored by ZeeMee—the student community platform that’s been shaping enrollment for over a decade. After 10 years of creating authentic student engagement, and analyzing student actions, ZeeMee knows exactly what signals lead to enrollment—and they’re bringing that data to colleges to help prioritize the right students and drive real results.

Students open ZeeMee an average of 13 times a day, making it the place where Gen-Z finds friends, explores colleges, and builds a sense of belonging—before they ever step on campus. And it works: students on ZeeMee are 2x more likely to apply, 3.5x more likely to commit, and 50% less likely to melt.

Ready to make recruitment smarter and more effective? Join the movement at ZeeMee.com.

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To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.

The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, and branding needs—and sponsored by Ring Digital, your ad targeting people.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Bonus Episode Alert 🚨
We’re closing out Season 6 with something special. In next week’s bonus episode, Dr. Jeff Salyer—VP for Enrollment and Marketing at Lee University—joins us to talk about endurance, storytelling, and the future of student engagement.

This short update from Zach Coffin, VP of The Higher Ed Marketer, includes a sneak peek of what’s ahead.

Shoutout to our friends at ZeeMee for making this bonus episode possible.

Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!
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Bonus Episode is sponsored by ZeeMee—the student community platform that’s been shaping enrollment for over a decade. After 10 years of creating authentic student engagement, and analyzing student actions, ZeeMee knows exactly what signals lead to enrollment—and they’re bringing that data to colleges to help prioritize the right students and drive real results.

Students open ZeeMee an average of 13 times a day, making it the place where Gen-Z finds friends, explores colleges, and builds a sense of belonging—before they ever step on campus. And it works: students on ZeeMee are 2x more likely to apply, 3.5x more likely to commit, and 50% less likely to melt.

Ready to make recruitment smarter and more effective? Join the movement at ZeeMee.com.

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Sneak Peak at the Summer of The Higher Ed Marketer:

• Faith Leader Mini-Series

• Zeemee Summer Series

• Best of Series

• Season 7 drops September

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Season 6 - Episode 204

In this episode, Dr. Gayle D. Beebe, President of Westmont College, joins us for a candid conversation about leading through adversity and staying anchored in mission when everything feels uncertain. Drawing from more than 30 years in higher education — and nearly two decades as a college president — Dr. Beebe shares hard-won insights on how character, emotional intelligence, and moral clarity shape resilient leadership. We dive into his early “crucible moments,” the strategies that helped him lead through crisis, and how institutions can remain both mission-driven and future-ready — even as technologies like AI reshape the landscape.

🎧 Listen to Learn:

✅What staying true to your mission looks like when budgets are tight and pressure is high.

✅What it means to lead with courage as AI reshapes the higher ed landscape.

✅Why character is foundational to effective leadership — especially in moments of crisis.
✅How emotional intelligence and self-awareness build resilience in high-stakes situations.
✅How moral knowledge helps leaders make tough decisions with clarity and integrity.
✅Why regular reflection isn’t just personal — it’s strategic for institutional leadership.

Join the Discussion:

02:00 - Exploring Leadership Lessons from History

03:06 - A Journey into Higher Education Leadership

06:07 - Navigating BIG Challenges in Leadership

09:50 - How to Stay True to Mission During Crisis

12:57 - Preparing for the Future of Higher Education Leadership

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To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.

The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, and branding needs—and sponsored by Ring Digital, your ad targeting people.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Season 6 - Episode 203

In this episode, we sit down with Tina Miller from Arizona State University to explore how ASU is boldly embracing AI—not just as a tool, but as a campus-wide transformation strategy. We also dig into their groundbreaking partnership with OpenAI and the creation of ChatGPT EDU, a major step toward reshaping how students and educators interact with AI. Tina unpacks the difference between AI literacy and fluency, and why both matter for preparing students for the future workforce. From building a “digital twin” of the university to deploying custom GPTs that empower leadership, Tina shares how ASU is weaving AI into the fabric of operations, learning, and faculty engagement.

🎧 Listen to Learn:

✅ Custom GPTs can enhance communication and efficiency for university leadership

✅ How students can benefit from immersive learning experiences with the help of AI

✅ AI literacy is different from AI fluency

✅ Effective AI adoption thrives in a team culture built on shared learning and practice.

✅ A practical, comprehensive plan for your entire university to embrace AI.

✅ The details behind ASU’s groundbreaking collaboration with OpenAI

Join the Discussion:

03:07 AI's Impact on Learning and Operations

04:58 Engaging Faculty and Staff in AI Integration

08:36 Creating a Digital Twin for Enhanced Learning

13:20 Utilizing Custom GPTs for Leadership Support

14:22 Partnership with OpenAI and ChatGPT EDU

19:34 Strategies for Scaling AI Initiatives Across Departments

35:05 Principled Innovation in AI

36:09 Literacy vs. Fluency in AI Usage

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.

The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, and branding needs—and sponsored by Ring Digital, your ad targeting people.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Season 6 - Episode 202

Is your university truly prepared for a crisis—and is that plan ready to activate when it matters most? In this conversation, Mike Thomas, Vice President for Integrated Marketing Communications at Pepperdine University, explores the vital role of gratitude, crisis communication, and the Emergency Operations Committee in navigating crises like wildfires. He underscores the power of authentic brand messaging and the university’s deep commitment to caring for its students in times of crisis. The discussion also highlights the importance of a EOC team, active community engagement, and the hopeful role a well-defined crisis communication plan can play in keeping people informed and connected during emergencies.

🎧 Listen to Learn:

✅ Why crisis communication is essential for community safety and reassurance.

✅ How the Emergency Operations Committee plays a crucial role in crisis preparedness.

✅ Effective communication should address both physical and emotional safety.

✅ Social media can be a powerful tool for community engagement during crises.

✅Transparency in communication fosters trust within the community.

Join the Discussion:

03:02 Crisis Communication and Community Response

06:04 Emergency Operations Committee: Preparedness and Execution

09:05 The Importance of Communication in Crisis

12:04 Building a Culture of Safety and Transparency

14:58 Leveraging Social Media for Community Engagement

23:52 Authenticity in Brand Messaging

26:56 Metrics for Measuring Brand Effectiveness

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To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.

The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, and branding needs—and sponsored by Ring Digital, your ad targeting people.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Season 6 - Episode 201

In this episode, Carol Keese, VP and CMP at University of Oregon, challenges traditional higher ed marketing norms and invites institutions to let go of exclusivity and lean into authenticity. Drawing on her extensive experience, she unpacks how colleges and universities can better communicate their value by focusing on accessibility, data-informed strategy, and real-world relevance. Carol also explores the power of student influencers, the role of pop culture in brand storytelling, and the lessons higher ed marketers can borrow from top consumer brands.

🎧 Listen to Learn:

✅ Why elitism no longer resonates with today’s students

✅ How to redefine the value of higher ed around social mobility
✅ Ways to use data to shape more effective marketing strategies
✅ The benefits of engaging with pop culture and student influencers
✅ How consumer brand tactics can be adapted for higher ed
✅ Why now is the perfect time to rethink your institution’s brand story

Join the Discussion:

03:04 - The Changing Landscape of Higher Ed Marketing

06:13 - Understanding the Value Proposition of Higher Education

08:58 - The Role of Data in Higher Ed Marketing

11:51 - Marketing that Matters: Breaking the Mold

15:10 - Engaging with Popular Culture

18:03 - Leveraging Student Voices and Influencers

20:59 - Lessons from Consumer Brands

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To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player.

The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, and branding needs—and sponsored by Ring Digital, your ad targeting people.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Season 6 - Episode 200

What happens when one of the most respected voices in higher ed marketing takes on one of the country’s largest and most tradition-rich institutions? In our 200th episode, Ethan Braden shares his bold vision for Texas A&M University—why he said yes to the role, how he’s reimagining its brand on a national scale, and what it takes to lead marketing at a university with 600,000 alumni and 80,000 students.

Ethan reveals how A&M is shifting from an internal story to a national narrative, how they turned a failed campaign into a 16-million-view success, and why the university’s core strength might just be its sense of belonging in an age of loneliness. From storytelling to strategy, this episode is packed with insights for any marketer looking to make a lasting impact.

Texan A&M Marketing and Engagement Impact Report 

Impact Report: https://marcomm.tamu.edu/2024-impact-report/

New Stories Website https://stories.tamu.edu/

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🎧 Listen to Learn

✅Why Texas A&M.

✅How to shift a university brand from regional pride to national relevance

✅The secret behind a marketing video that jumped from 29K to 16M views

✅Why traditions aren’t barriers to innovation—they're assets for belonging
✅The role higher ed marketers must play in solving generational loneliness

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Join the Discussion

00:00 – Welcome + Reflecting on Episode 1 with Ethan
03:10 – Why Ethan took the Texas A&M role and what drew him in
06:45 – From internal storytelling to a national brand strategy
11:30 – What a failed $700K commercial taught the A&M marketing team
15:40 – Turning traditions into tools for connection and belonging
20:15 – How General Mark Welsh is shaping leadership and communication at A&M
25:50 – Why “great citizens” matter more than great branding
30:20 – Ethan’s take on higher ed marketing in a time of societal detachment
35:40 – One bold prediction for the future of university branding

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To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player. The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, and branding needs—and sponsored by Ring Digital, your ad targeting people.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.