Higher Voltage

In this episode of Higher Voltage, Justin Bell, Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Fordham University, joins Kevin to break down the strategy behind the Fordham Pizza Shop activation at NACAC. What looked like a creative stunt was actually a calculated move to build brand awareness, drive engagement, and create lasting impressions in a crowded space.

In this episode of Higher Voltage, Seth Odell joins Volt to discuss how AI is transforming search and what it means for higher education marketers. As zero-click search results, AI-generated answers, and new discovery platforms change how prospective students find information, institutions must rethink traditional enrollment strategies. Odell shares insights on branding, digital visibility, and why colleges can no longer rely on conventional SEO alone to reach future students.

Elliot Felix, student success author and higher education strategist, discusses breaking down silos to create a truly connected campus. He outlines five critical student connections and shares strategy-focused approaches like design thinking and prioritization habits. Practical first steps and real institutional examples illustrate how to align teams, systems, and partnerships for better student experiences.

HBCU enrollment is gaining momentum—and strategy is driving the surge. In this episode of Higher Voltage, Kevin Tyler speaks with Tanya Clark of 3 Enrollment about record-breaking male enrollment, intentional digital marketing, and how data, capacity planning, and student-centered systems are shaping the future of HBCUs.

In this episode, Kevin Tyler interviews Marina Cooper, the Senior Associate Vice President for Integrated Marketing and Brand at Johns Hopkins University. They discuss the ‘Research Saves Lives’ campaign, which aims to communicate the value of research in higher education amidst federal funding cuts. The conversation covers the campaign's inclusive approach, its impact on the community, and the metrics for success, highlighting the importance of collaboration and effective communication in the current climate of higher education.

Kevin Tyler talks with researcher David Lazer about new national polling that reveals a more nuanced picture of how Americans view colleges and universities. They unpack long-term trust trends, the role of partisanship, and what higher ed leaders should take away from the data.

Colorado Mesa University’s Featherstone campaign flipped the script on higher ed marketing with humor and honesty. Kevin Tyler talks with Katlin Birdsall, AVP for Marketing and Brand Strategy, about challenging elitism, connecting with first-gen students, and taking creative risks that reflect institutional values.

What does it mean for colleges to be “student ready”? In this episode of Higher Voltage, Kevin Tyler talks with RAND researcher Lindsay Daugherty about meeting students’ basic needs — food, housing, mental health — and how institutions can reimagine support services, shift their messaging, and build trust that keeps students enrolled.

In this episode of Higher Voltage, Kevin Tyler talks with journalist Erica Levi Zelinger about the sharp decline in male enrollment across higher education. They explore how outdated messaging, retention challenges, and cultural disconnects are fueling the crisis, and what colleges can do to reverse the trend.

Higher ed veteran and author Jaime Hunt breaks down how real, layered and strategic empathy can transform not just marketing messages, but student outcomes. From jargon traps to missed opportunities for connection, this conversation with host Kevin Tyler unpacks the urgent shift higher ed must make to survive and serve today’s students.