The Higher Ed Marketer

How do you build a higher ed creative team that produces great work without burning out the people behind it? Paul Bross,  Director of Creative Operations at Oklahoma Baptist University and brand-new host of The Higher Ed Creative Podcast, shares what he’s learned moving from filmmaking and television into higher education creative leadership. Paul explores how clear expectations, protected creative time, and stronger collaboration can help small marketing teams do better work while staying connected to enrollment and institutional goals. He also shares how his team is using AI to reduce administrative tasks, why higher ed creatives need greater support, and the vision behind The Higher Ed Creative, a new podcast for the photographers, videographers, social media professionals, and other makers shaping higher education.___What We Cover in This Episode🔘How Higher Ed creative teams can align requests, expectations, scope, and institutional strategy. 🔘Ways leaders can protect creative time and reduce burnout on small marketing teams🔘How AI can reduce administrative tasks so creative professionals have more time to create.🔘Why we are launching The Higher Ed Creative Podcast___Episode Highlights04:59 – Moving from content creator to leading a higher ed Creative Studio08:06 – Why good creative work gets lost between concept, approvals, and completion17:40 – The idea behind The Higher Ed Creative podcast18:47 – Creative burnout, isolation, and retaining talented higher ed makers21:38 – What’s on Your Desk? Paul shares the projects currently demanding his team’s attention24:57 – Using AI to reduce administrative work instead of replacing creativity___NextGrad helps colleges and universities reach students where they already are, inside the high school itself. With a network of over 2,500 schools across North America, NextGrad puts your institution's message in front of future students every single day. Be the school they remember when it's time to decide.Nextgrad.com — Where students see you first.___The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. ___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 proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This Fall Season of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proudly sponsored by NextGrad.___A strong institutional brand matters, but sometimes the most powerful voice belongs to the person leading it. Jerra Toms, Founder & Principal Consultant at Blue Iris Consulting, shares how presidents, deans, and other higher ed leaders can use LinkedIn to build authentic connections with students, alumni, donors, and industry partners.Jerra breaks down how to create consistent executive content, capture a leader’s authentic voice, and turn everyday interactions into opportunities that strengthen both personal and institutional visibility.___What We Cover in This Episode🔘Why personal leadership content can outperform institutional messaging🔘How busy executives can build a consistent LinkedIn presence🔘Ways communications teams can capture a leader’s authentic voice🔘How to find content opportunities in a leader’s existing calendar🔘Why executive visibility can support enrollment, advancement, and reputation___Episode Highlights06:43 - Starting a LinkedIn strategy with just 20 to 30 minutes a week09:48 - Finding content opportunities in an executive’s existing calendar13:11 - Capturing an executive’s authentic voice and using AI to support the process15:28 - Why a strong LinkedIn profile comes before a posting strategy18:12 - A practical approach for leaders without a communications team28:03 - The first steps leaders can take today___NextGrad helps colleges and universities reach students where they already are, inside the high school itself. With a network of over 2,500 schools across North America, NextGrad puts your institution's message in front of future students every single day. Be the school they remember when it's time to decide.Nextgrad.com — Where students see you first.___The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. 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 proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This Fall Season of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is proudly sponsored by NextGrad.NextGrad helps colleges and universities reach students where they already are, inside the high school itself. With a network of over 2,500 schools across North America, NextGrad puts your institution's message in front of future students every single day. Be the school they remember when it's time to decide.Nextgrad.com — Where students see you first.___Season 9 of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast starts next week. Zach Coffin previews the guests on deck this fall, including Jeff Selingo, Don Engle, Todd Williams, and Aly Williams and shares two pieces of news: president and author Jamie Caridi's new book The Terra Firma Way just hit #1 on Amazon, and the Higher Ed Marketer Network is adding a new show. Zach also has an invite to the ABHE Marketing & Enrollment Conference, October 6-8 in Orlando.___What We Cover in This Episode🔘Jamie Caridi's new #1 Amazon bestseller, The Terra Firma Way🔘A first look at Season 9's guest lineup🔘A brand-new podcast joining the Higher Ed Marketer Network this October🔘Why the ABHE Marketing & Enrollment Conference is built differently, and why spots are limited🔘Where to catch Bart on the road this fall____The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. 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 proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Encore Episode: Originally Aired October 2025___Artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education and each generation is approaching it differently. AI Mindset’s founder and CEO, Conor Grennan, joined by his Gen Z son, Finn, to explore how AI is influencing academic integrity, workforce readiness, and the way students engage with learning.Rather than approaching AI with fear or hype, Conor encourages institutions to engage with it from a place of curiosity, conviction, and intentionality. This episode challenges assumptions and offers a hopeful, practical framework for integrating AI into both academic and personal formation.___Join us as we discuss:🔘How AI is changing the way we teach, learn, and lead🔘The role of discipleship in shaping tech ethics🔘Why Gen Z students expect transparency, not perfection🔘Creating campus-wide AI literacy with joy and curiosity🔘Using storytelling to make tech feel less intimidating___Inside the Episode 06:14 – What it means to disciple students in the age of AI08:50 – The danger of seeing AI as “just a tool”13:22 – How higher ed should position itself as a moral compass16:09 – The three pillars of AI literacy at NYU Stern30:03 – Faith, imagination, and the opportunity ahead___The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. ___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 proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Encore Episode: Originally Aired November 2025___Every event tells a story, but only the most intentional ones help people feel your brand. At Biola University, Tracey Harrison, who now serves as Senior Advisor to the President, shares how she redefined campus events through a framework called Eventful Branding.. This philosophy turns events from logistical tasks into meaningful, mission-driven experiences that embody the heart of an institution.Through storytelling, hospitality, and collaboration, universities can design moments that make guests feel seen, valued, and connected to something greater. Drawing from Biola’s innovative approach, this conversation explores how to transform everything from campus tours to groundbreaking ceremonies into living expressions of your brand identity. You’ll learn how to unite marketing and events under one story, foster emotional connection with Gen Z, and build brand belief through authentic, human-centered design.___Join us as we discuss:🔘What Eventful Branding means and how to apply it across campus🔘Creating immersive events that communicate mission through emotion🔘Why hospitality is a marketing strategy, not just an act of service🔘Building cross-departmental alignment through shared storytelling🔘How to surprise and delight students with purpose and creativity🔘Practical ideas for smaller institutions to elevate their event experience___Inside the Episode 04:37 – Defining eventful branding and how it came to life at Biola07:44 – How a film school groundbreaking became a storytelling moment11:16 – Bringing “unreasonable hospitality” to higher ed33:59 – How smaller schools can create big emotional impact37:58 – Transforming campus visits into emotional brand experiences46:48 – Building brand belief through meaningful human connection___The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast is powered by Caylor Solutions—your go-to partner for higher ed mission-fit marketing strategies, enrollment, AI expertise, and branding needs. ___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 proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.