Jaime Hunt sits down with Tamalyn Powell, SVP of Higher Education at BVK, to discuss the groundbreaking national campaign Proud Sponsor of America at Its Best. Designed to reshape public perception around the value of higher education, this initiative tackles rising skepticism head-on. Through data-driven messaging and a non-partisan approach, this campaign offers marketing leaders a powerful tool to advocate for higher ed’s relevance and societal impact. If you’re wondering how to counter declining trust in higher ed and drive collective impact, this episode is a must-listen.Guest Name: Tam Powell, Senior Vice President, BVKGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamalyn-powell-850a323/Guest Bio: Tam focuses her efforts on how she and the higher education team can help clients break through the clutter. Tam is an expert in brand positioning and is responsible for all aspects of marketing, communications, planning and strategy on behalf of BVK’s broad portfolio of higher education clients across the country. As BVK’s higher education brand champion, her latest endeavor - in partnership with BVK’s non-profit sister agency Serve Marketing - is producing and launching a national campaign highlight the impact of higher education in the United States to combat the negative narrative around the value of college.
- - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Ep. 91: What it Really Takes to Counsel a President
Jaime Hunt sits down with Joseph Brennan, Vice President for Communications and Marketing at Montclair State University, for a raw and riveting conversation on what it really means to counsel a university president. With over three decades in higher ed and experience advising 13 university presidents, Brennan shares how the role of CMO has evolved from tactician to trusted strategic advisor—and why communication professionals must develop executive presence, business fluency, and emotional intelligence to lead in today’s high-pressure environment.Guest Name: Joseph A. Brennan, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Montclair State UniversityGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoebrennan/Guest Bio: Joseph A. Brennan is Vice President for Communications & Marketing at Montclair State University, where he's proven that authentic storytelling works. He and his team have built a warm and genuine brand and brought it to life with narratives delivered across paid, earned, social and owned media, and designed innovative, data-driven campaigns that produced ROAS of nearly 7 to 1. Their award winning work has contributed to record enrollment for 4 successive years. Over three decades as a higher education communications and marketing executive, Joe has learned to put people first, because when team members feel seen and respected, they produce outstanding results. He's counseled 13 presidents, navigated major crises from international social media incidents to nationally publicized controversies, and directed high profile statewide campaigns to influence higher education policy in two states, but he's equally passionate about the quieter daily work of building teams where people want to stay and grow. His leadership philosophy? Treat mistakes as learning opportunities, not firing offenses. Create psychological safety so that innovation can flourish. Use humor appropriately. Show up as a whole human being, not just a job title. Meet people where they are, not where you think they should be. This approach extends beyond the office. Joe is a registered yoga teacher and meditation guide who believes mindfulness practices make leaders more effective, not less focused. He's currently earning his executive coaching certification, building on years of mentoring colleagues through career transitions and workplace challenges. Joe's mission is simple: help leaders create workplaces where talented people thrive, not just survive. When people feel valued and supported, everything else gets better. He's authored nearly 20 articles, been elected to the PRSA College of Fellows, and won national awards for "public relations campaign of the year" and "best website overhaul."
- - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Confessions Crossover: Decades in Higher Ed, Unlimited Hot Takes
Jaime sits down with Jenny Li Fowler, host of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager, for a no-holds-barred conversation packed with hot takes on higher education marketing, leadership dysfunction, and the systemic cultural habits holding institutions back. Drawing from decades of experience, Jaime and Jenny bring a sharp, refreshingly honest lens to some of higher ed’s most persistent challenges—from siloed departments and underfunded marketing teams to presidents chasing prestige at the expense of authenticity.
- - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Ep. 90: Finding Fit Beyond the Campus Walls
Jaime Hunt chats with Justin Bouldt, Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Nevada, Reno, about an innovative yield-boosting initiative—the College Town Pass. Designed to enhance campus visits by giving prospective students a curated way to explore the city of Reno and nearby Lake Tahoe, the College Town Pass has delivered impressive results, including a 74% yield rate among users. Tune in to hear how a Pokémon Go-inspired concept turned into a high-impact enrollment marketing strategy.Guest Name: Justin Boult, Assistant Director of Admissions, University of Nevada, RenoGuest Social: linkedin.com/in/justinbouldt/Guest Bio: Justin Boult is the assistant director of admissions at the University of Nevada, Reno. He earned both of his degrees – a bachelor of business and a master’s in educational leadership at UNR.
- - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Ep. 89: Busting Silos Between Marketing and Admissions
In this energizing episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO, host Jaime Hunt sits down with Brandy Kift, AVP of Marketing Strategy at Bucknell University, to unpack how her team has successfully broken down the silos between marketing and admissions. Brandy shares the inside story of how Bucknell transformed their approach to enrollment marketing by fostering mutual trust, aligning content strategy with recruitment goals, and leveraging data and AI for meaningful student engagement. If you're searching for strategies to build better collaboration across departments and increase application numbers, this is a must-listen.Guest Name: Brandy Kift, Assistant Vice President of Marketing Strategy at Bucknell UniversityGuest Social: www.linkedin.com/in/brandykiftGuest Bio: Brandy Kift is an accomplished marketing strategist with more than two decades of experience spanning healthcare, K-12 software, and higher education. As Assistant Vice President of Marketing Strategy at Bucknell University, Brandy leverages her extensive background to lead innovative initiatives in branding, reputation building, and recruitment marketing. During her six years at Bucknell, she has cultivated a talented team of marketers and content creators whose work has contributed to record application numbers and earned national recognition.
- - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
About Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO — with Jaime Hunt
Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is like a conference in a podcast, offering a blend of professional wisdom, innovative ideas, and personal anecdotes. Whether you're a higher ed marketer, a faculty member curious about the behind-the-scenes of university branding, or just someone with an interest in the intersection of education and marketing, the podcast is your gateway to the lesser-known narratives of higher education.
In each episode, host Jaime Hunt engages in candid and insightful conversations with leading minds in the field, exploring not just the nuts and bolts of marketing, but also the diverse and often unexpected challenges and stories that define higher education marketing.
Our guests, a mix of seasoned CMOs, innovative thinkers, and key influencers in the higher ed sector, don't just share their professional triumphs; they open up about their personal journeys and share their candid insights.. The podcast goes beyond the conventional, bringing to light the real stories behind campus campaigns, the evolving nature of student engagement, and the creative challenges in this unique field.
With a host renowned for establishing a warm and engaging rapport, each episode feels less like an interview and more like a conversation between old friends. The discussions are not only thoughtful and informative but sprinkled with moments of humor and fun, capturing the essence of what it's like to navigate the complex world of higher education marketing. Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is hosted by Jaime Hunt and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.
Listen to Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO — with Jaime Hunt, The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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