Part 3: Do 9th Graders Care About College Yet?

In this episode of the High School to Higher Ed podcast, hosts Kevin and Emma Cavanagh explore the perspectives of ninth graders regarding college. They discuss the relevance of college messaging, the characteristics that matter to students, and how colleges can improve their communication strategies. Emma shares her thoughts on what colleges should focus on to engage students effectively, emphasizing the importance of social media and personalized communication.

Pulse Check Co-Hosts:
Kevin Cavanagh
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-cavanagh-b4999b2a/

Emma Cavanagh
Emma Cavanagh is a 9th grader at Glen Rock High School in Glen Rock, NJ, and an aspiring journalist. This is her first podcast, but she already has an impressive portfolio of academic and extracurricular achievements. Emma completed the Travis Manion Foundation Character and Leadership Course and earned professional recognition from the PEN America Free Expression Advocacy Institute, where she created a zine highlighting issues of free speech and freedom of the press. Emma recently completed a Modern Journalism course with NYU American Journalism Online and Rolling Stone Magazine, and is currently serving as an ambassador for the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute Civics and Debate Club. Her writing has earned her top honors in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriots Pen Essay Writing Contest, including first place in Glen Rock, first place in Bergen County, and recognition by New Jersey's Veteran of Foreign Wars leadership.

- - - -

Connect With Our Co-Hosts:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

Seth Odell 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethodell/
https://twitter.com/sethodell

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register