Higher Ed Demand Gen Podcast

Hosted by Concept3D

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Episodes

136

Latest episode

Oct 2025

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to the Higher Ed Demand Gen Podcast. We offer you the opportunity to listen to higher education marketing leaders share knowledge about learnings, strategies, and tactics that are relevant now. See what you can learn today by listening to one of our episodes. Concept3D helps Higher Ed Leaders create location-driven interactive mapping, virtual tour, and event calendaring solutions that engage your students, showcase your university, and effectively tell your story. Visit Concept3D.com to learn about out how we may help your institution.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 28, 2025Episode 13625 min

Ep. 136: Increasing transfer student by 43% & a surprising enrollment that works Paige Piontkowsky

In this episode of the Higher Ed Demand Gen podcast, host Shiro Hatori sits down with Paige Piontkowsky, AVP of Enrollment Management at the University of La Verne. Discover how this small private university increased transfer student enrollment by 43% and the innovative strategies behind their success. From leveraging data-driven recruitment plans to the surprising effectiveness of LinkedIn campaigns, Paige shares insights into enrollment management and the importance of collaboration with marketing. Tune in to learn how the University of La Verne is navigating the competitive landscape of higher education and achieving stability in enrollment.Connect with Paige on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-piontkowsky/

October 9, 2025Episode 13523 min

Ep: 135 Creating Enrollment from Applied Marketing Learning.

In this episode of the Higher Ed Demand Gen podcast, we sit down with Krissy Buck, Director of ShockStarter at WSU Tech. Krissy shares her journey from a DIY blogger to a leader in digital marketing education, highlighting the innovative ShockStarter program. Discover how this in-house, student-driven marketing agency is bridging the gap between education and industry, providing students with real-world experience and setting them up for success in the digital marketing field. Tune in to learn about the power of applied learning and the future of marketing education.Reach out to Krissy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krissybuck/Learn more about ShockStarter at WSU Tech here: https://wsutech.edu/shockstarter/

September 15, 2025Episode 13423 min

Ep 134: University of North Dakota's Year of Momentum / / Why Logo's Are Not Marketing Campaigns

In this episode, Shiro Hattori speaks with Melanie Linder, VP of Marketing Communications at the University of North Dakota, about the significant growth in enrollment and the strategic marketing initiatives that have contributed to this success. They discuss the importance of centralized marketing, leadership support, campus renewal, and effective storytelling in engaging prospective students. Melanie emphasizes that a logo is not a marketing campaign and shares insights on how to measure and communicate marketing success effectively.TakeawaysThe University of North Dakota has seen a 25% increase in enrollment due to strategic marketing efforts.Centralized marketing allows for consistent branding and effective long-term planning.Leadership support is crucial for successful marketing initiatives.Campus renewal and investment in facilities enhance recruitment efforts.Storytelling through visual media is key to engaging prospective students.A logo should not be confused with a brand; branding is about core values.Data-driven marketing strategies help in measuring success and making informed decisions.Community engagement is essential for student retention and success.A/B testing is vital for optimizing marketing campaigns.Simplicity in communication of data is important for executive buy-in.

July 29, 2025Episode 13332 min

Ep. 133: Very first year as a higher ed CMO // Higher Ed Demand Gen - Andrew Sogn

Join us in this insightful episode as we reconnect with Andrew Sogn, now serving as the Chief Marketing Officer at Dakota State University. Andrew shares his journey from South Dakota State University to DSU, highlighting the unique challenges and rewarding experiences of transitioning into a CMO role. Discover how DSU's focus on STEM and cyber innovation is shaping its future, and learn about the strategic initiatives that Andrew is spearheading to elevate the university's brand and impact. Whether you're interested in higher education marketing or leadership transitions, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration.

July 1, 2025Episode 13237 min

Ep. 132: How to ACTUALLY Implement AI in Higher Ed Marketing // Higher Ed Demand Gen - Brian Piper

In this episode of the Higher Ed Demand Gen podcast, we sit down with Brian Piper, an AI integration consultant and former Director of Content Strategy at the University of Rochester, to demystify the adoption of artificial intelligence in higher education. With a rich background in web development, content marketing, and SEO, Brian shares his journey from recognizing the potential of ChatGPT in 2022 to spearheading an institution-wide AI council and now helping other schools do the same.If you're wondering how to begin implementing AI, Brian argues against simply "squeezing AI into your current workflows". He presents AI adoption as a comprehensive change management project that requires buy-in from leadership to the team level. It’s about viewing AI as a collaborator, an "entity" added to your workforce, rather than just a tool for automation. This approach shifts the focus from replacing jobs to enhancing them, emphasizing that human expertise is needed more than ever to guide the technology with the right prompts, use data ethically, and validate outputs to ensure they are strategic and audience-first.Connect with Brian on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/

May 27, 2025Episode 13158 min

Ep. 131: Leadership When It Matters MOST // Higher Ed Demand Gen

Unlock the secrets to deeper student connections and boosted enrollment in this episode of the Higher Ed Demand Gen Podcast. We delve into the critical topic of enrollment personalization, drawing wisdom from a past summit featuring higher education experts.Discover how to move beyond surface-level outreach and truly resonate with prospective students. We tackle the ever-present challenges in enrollment marketing and admissions, from navigating enrollment cliffs and optimizing recruitment budgets to effectively launching new programs. Learn how a lack of data doesn't have to be a personalization roadblock, and how smart strategies can overcome staffing limitations.Connect with Carrie Phillips on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriehphillips/

May 20, 2025Episode 13052 min

Ep. 130: Enrollment Personalization in 2025 // Higher Ed Demand Gen

This episode of the Higher Ed Demand Gen Podcast revisits a webinar on enrollment personalization. The discussion features panelists Allison Turcio, Jamie Brownlee-Turgeon, Angie Cooksy, and Dave Gladson who share their insights on approaching personalization in enrollment marketing communications. The episode delves into key challenges in enrollment, marketing, and admissions, such as the enrollment cliff, ineffective name buying strategies, launching new academic programs, lack of data for personalization, and staffing and budget limitations. Panelists explore effective ways to reach prospective students, emphasizing the importance of personalized messaging and relevant content. The discussion also covers strategies for utilizing data to target 1-to-1 communications and creating a sense of personalization at scale.

May 6, 2025Episode 12925 min

Ep. 129: A Talk With The Master Poster on Ed-Tech and Education Jobs // Higher Ed Demand Gen - Jeff Patterson

In this episode of the Higher Ed Demand Gen Podcast, we sit down with Jeff Patterson, Founder and CEO of Gaggle, a prominent figure in higher education, largely due to his popular weekly job postings on LinkedIn. We'll explore the enduring power of relationships in this field and how the connections you make often become both meaningful and long-lasting. For those looking to optimize their professional strategies, the discussion delves into how LinkedIn can be leveraged not just for networking, but as a powerful tool for job searching and discovering new opportunities. Moreover, we’ll uncover effective job search tactics, including why your LinkedIn profile might be even more critical than your resume. Finally, for higher ed marketers considering a career shift, the episode sheds light on the potential of transitioning into edtech sales, highlighting how skills in relationship building, active listening, and creative problem-solving are highly transferable and valuable in that space.Connect with Jeff Patterson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffhpatterson/

April 29, 2025Episode 12834 min

Ep. 128: Practical AI Applications for Higher Ed Marketing Teams // Higher Ed Demand Gen - Tina Miller

Ready to navigate the AI revolution in higher education marketing? This episode dives deep into how institutions are leveraging artificial intelligence to connect with students, streamline operations, and stay ahead of the curve.We explore Arizona State University's innovative approach, uncovering how their AI Innovation Challenge sparked campus-wide adoption and yielded tangible results. Learn how fostering a culture of experimentation and responsible implementation can transform your institution's marketing efforts.Discover practical AI applications you can implement today, from crafting compelling content with AI assistance to building intelligent bots that enhance communication and brand consistency. We'll also highlight the power of community and knowledge sharing, showcasing how the AI Beacon Network is empowering higher ed marketers across the country.Connect with Tina Miller on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinamiller3/

April 22, 202536 min

Ep. 127: Why a TRUE User-Friendly Experience is an Accessible Experience & How to Scale Your Email Enrollment Marketing Drip Campaigns // Higher Ed Demand Gen - Jonathan Blundell

Unlock Student Engagement: Mastering Accessibility and Email Marketing in Higher EdWe explore the transformative power of accessibility and the strategic finesse of email marketing, with a focus on real-world applications and tangible results.Jonathan Blundell shares his personal journey, highlighting the pivotal moment they recognized accessibility as not just a requirement, but a moral imperative. Discover how to build a team culture that champions inclusivity and partners with vendors who share your vision.We dissect the evolution of their institution's email marketing strategy, from basic newsletters to sophisticated, segmented campaigns that drive enrollment. Learn how to craft email journeys that nurture prospective students, delivering the right message at the right time. We'll unpack the secrets behind their impressive conversion rates and the simple tweaks that doubled their click-through rates.Connect with Jonathan Blundell on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdblundell/