

Higher Voltage
Volt
Higher Voltage explores what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change in higher education. Higher Voltage isn’t just for anyone who works in higher education—it’s for anyone who is interested in or cares about higher education.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 14, 2024 • 42min
Got Education? - Reframing the Value of Higher Ed
Kevin Tyler is joined by Lauren Griswold of Boise State University and Chris Nelson of the University of Utah to discuss the collaborative efforts of institutions to reshape the public perception of higher education’s value. Hear strategies for unified messaging, building partnerships and engaging communities to drive enrollment and combat declining trust in higher education.

Oct 10, 2024 • 26min
Start Small, Start With One Place.
Ready to level up your content game? Host Kevin Tyler welcomes guest Brian Piper to discuss how universities can build trust, connect with audiences and thrive in a digital-first world.

Apr 25, 2024 • 45min
Want High Student Satisfaction? Well, Who’s Going to Deliver It?
Host Kevin Tyler welcomes Eddie Francis, principal and brand consultant with Edify Ventures, to discuss the importance of employer branding in higher education. Colleges and universities must focus on talent attraction, talent experience and talent retention while emphasizing the role of leadership in creating a positive workplace culture and the impact of psychological safety on employee satisfaction.

Apr 11, 2024 • 33min
In a Word-of-Mouth Business, No One Shares Average
Host Kevin Tyler interviews branding expert Allen Adamson to discuss the importance of focusing on a clear and distinct mission, rather than diluting the institutional identity with multiple conflicting messages.

Mar 15, 2024 • 45min
No One Asks What Students Actually Want
Kevin Tyler welcomes Catherine Friday, Ernst & Young Oceania’s managing partner for government and health sciences, as they delve into EY’s global findings of student dissatisfaction and how universities must deliver on the value proposition to remain competitive.

Feb 15, 2024 • 36min
It’s Time to Treat Social Media as an Adult
Higher Voltage’s Kevin Tyler welcomes Jenny Li Fowler, MIT's director of social media strategy and recently published author, to discuss her book, “Organic Social Media: How to Build Flourishing Online Communities.” Fowler emphasizes the importance of elevating the role of social media managers and treating social media as a sophisticated industry.

Feb 1, 2024 • 36min
Change and the Future of Higher Ed Marketing
In the first episode of 2024, host Kevin Tyler sits down with Bennie F. Johnson, the CEO of the American Marketing Association (AMA). As a self-proclaimed "marketing kid," Bennie understands the vulnerability of the marketing industry, especially in higher education. During the discussion, Kevin and Bennie address common misconceptions and emphasize the crucial role of expertise in the field.

Nov 9, 2023 • 29min
Be Visible, Be Engaged, but Be Circumspect
Dr. William 'Brit' Kirwan, chancellor emeritus of the University System of Maryland, joins host Kevin Tyler to discuss university presidents' precarious position when they make or abstain from statements on emotionally charged issues.

Oct 5, 2023 • 39min
What’s Your Institution’s McDonald’s Order?
Dr. Marcus Collins, author, professor and devoted cheeseburger lover, joins host Kevin Tyler to discuss the importance of understanding the cultural characteristics of a community and finding congruence between the values of the institution and the values of potential students.

Jul 20, 2023 • 27min
The End of Affirmative Action: What Now?
Natasha Warikoo, Lenore Stern Professor in the Social Sciences Department of Sociology at Tufts University, rejoins host Kevin Tyler to discuss the recent SCOTUS decision and how institutions may move forward in the post-affirmative action era.


