Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO — with Jaime Hunt

Guest Name: Justin M. Bell, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Fordham University Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinmichaelbell Guest Bio: Justin M. Bell joined Fordham in August 2023 as the University’s inaugural vice president for marketing and communications. As vice president, he leads Fordham’s central marketing and communications division in strengthening Fordham’s brand awareness, increasing enrollment, and elevating Fordham’s unique story to enhance reputation across audiences. Prior to joining Fordham, Bell served as associate vice president for brand marketing at The Ohio State University, leading an organization accountable for growing and protecting the Ohio State brand while driving choice through top-of-funnel marketing strategies across owned, earned, and paid media. Bell also established Scarlet Studio, Ohio State’s in-house marketing and communications agency, charged with developing campaigns and executing brand-building projects on behalf of colleges and units across the institution. - - - -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.

Jaime Hunt sits down with Dr. Allison Steinke to unpack what it really takes to build a believable brand in higher education. Drawing from research with CMOs and Gen Z audiences, Steinke introduces a practical framework for brand believability rooted in authenticity, consistency, and emotional connection. The episode challenges traditional enrollment marketing approaches and reframes branding as a co-created, institution-wide effort. If you’re navigating trust, differentiation, or AI in higher ed marketing, this conversation is a must-listen. Guest Name: Allison Steinke, Teaching Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication and author of Brand Thinking: Building Brands You Can Believe In Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajsteinkephd/ Guest Bio: An award-winning scholar with industry experience as a blogger, magazine editor, and social media consultant, Dr. Allison Steinke bridges the gap between high-level brand theory and real-world execution. As a Teaching Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication, she equips and empowers thousands of future leaders through courses on brand management and digital storytelling. A prolific creator, she published an internationally acclaimed dissertation on solutions journalism, has authored 100+ blog posts and journalistic articles, and recently published a definitive book, Brand Thinking: Building Brands You Can Believe In. From managing global research projects to facilitating a 2009 Justin Bieber meet-and-greet, her career is defined by influential narratives. Brand Thinking: Building Brands You Can Believe In: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/brand-thinking-9798765160831/ - - - -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.

Jaime Hunt sits down with higher education journalist and bestselling author Jeff Selingo to unpack insights from his newest book, Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You. Drawing from two years of research—including surveys of more than 3,000 parents—Selingo explains how families are redefining what makes a “good college.” The conversation explores the evolving role of prestige, the growing importance of outcomes and ROI, and what enrollment marketers must understand about parents, counselors, and the modern college search process. For higher ed professionals, this episode is a powerful lens into the shifting expectations shaping enrollment marketing today. Guest Name: Jeff Selingo, The New York Times bestselling author of Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You and Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffselingo/ Guest Bio: Jeff Selingo has written about colleges and universities for more than 25 years and is a New York Times bestselling author of four books. His latest, Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You (September 2025), draws on more than two years of research and a survey of some 3,000 parents to give families permission to think more broadly about what signals a “good” college and then the tools to discover their dream school. He is also the author of Who Gets In & Why: A Year Inside College Admissions, named one of the New York Times’s 100 Notable Books of the Year in 2020. A regular contributor to The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, Jeff is a special advisor to the president and professor of practice at Arizona State University. He writes the biweekly newsletter Next and co-hosts the podcast Future U. He lives near Washington, D.C., with his family. - - - -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.

Jaime Hunt sits down with Jason Smith, Founder and Managing Director of OHO, to unpack how AI in higher education is fundamentally changing the way students search for colleges. As AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini increasingly shape the student journey, institutions must rethink their approach to SEO for higher education and digital visibility. Jason introduces OHO’s new AI Visibility Scorecard and shares eye-opening insights into where AI models pull information from—and why that matters for enrollment marketers. This conversation challenges higher ed leaders to move beyond traditional search strategies and prepare for an AI-driven future of student recruitment. Guest Name: Jason Smith, Founder and Managing Director of OHO Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsmith1/ Guest Bio: Jason is the Founder and Managing Director of OHO, a leading digital agency dedicated to higher education. For over 20 years, he has led a team of strategists, designers, UX researchers, marketers, and developers who help colleges and universities solve complex digital challenges—from launching major websites to driving enrollment through digital marketing.  A former designer and creative director, Jason brings a deep appreciation for how storytelling, design, and technology can work together to reach the right audiences and move institutions forward. He’s worked with 37 of the top 100 U.S. colleges and universities, guiding leaders through projects that clarify their goals, connect with users, and elevate their digital presence.  Endlessly curious and always inventing, Jason is currently digging deep into how to increase AI visibility for colleges and universities so that they can reach prospective students. - - - -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.

Jaime Hunt sits down with Jennifer Umberger, VP and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Kettering University. They unpack what it really takes to break out of higher ed’s “sea of sameness” and build an enrollment marketing engine that actually moves the needle. Jennifer shares how Kettering’s distinct co-op model became the center of a sharper brand story—and how tight alignment between marketing and enrollment helped drive major growth. If you’re looking for a marketing strategy for student recruitment that’s built for today’s expectations (ROI, outcomes, and relevance), this one’s a must-listen.Guest Name: Jennifer Umberger, Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Kettering UniversityGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferumberger/Guest Bio: Jennifer Umberger joined Kettering University in February 2023. As the University’s Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Jennifer leads Kettering University’s brand strategy, focused on awareness, enrollment marketing, and thought leadership to increase visibility and support for Kettering’s mission, vision, and Pillars of Success. She oversees the University’s web and digital strategy, social media, creative production, advertising, enrollment marketing, public relations, media relations, and the University Magazine. She is a member of the President’s Cabinet.Jennifer has more than two decades of marketing and communications experience, most recently at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (formerly Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield Universities), where she served as Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. In that role, she oversaw executive communications, enrollment marketing, university marketing and brand management, strategic communications, media relations, and athletic communications and marketing. She was also the strategic communications lead in partnership with Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education.Jennifer earned a Bachelor’s degree in History with a concentration in Mass Communication and an emphasis in Public Relations from Albion College, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Augsburg University.She is a member of the American Marketing Association and serves as Vice President of the board of directors for CUPRAP, a professional community dedicated to advancing higher education marketing and communications. Jennifer also serves nationally on the Committee on Leadership for Alpha Xi Delta, a women’s fraternity of which she is a member. - - - -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.

Jaime Hunt is joined by Clara Schwager, Director of Institutional and Advancement Marketing at Johnson & Wales University, for a much-needed conversation on the evolution of alumni magazines. Clara shares the behind-the-scenes story of a major redesign of JWU’s alumni magazine—one that transforms the publication from a static print piece into a dynamic, multi-channel storytelling engine. If you're still treating your alumni magazine like a mailbox-only moment, this is your wake-up call.Guest Name: Clara Schwager, Director of Institutional and Advancement Marketing at Johnson & Wales UniversityGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clara-schwager/Guest Bio: Clara Schwager is the Director of Institutional & Advancement Marketing at Johnson & Wales University and a strategic higher education marketing and communications leader committed to the transformative impact of education on individuals and communities. She specializes in crafting narratives that advance institutional priorities, strengthen brand reputation, and inspire connection.With 15 years of experience across higher education, agency, nonprofit, and corporate environments, Clara brings deep expertise in developing and executing strategic marketing campaigns. A creative and playful thinker, she excels at leading cross-functional teams, bridging organizational silos, and building marketing and communications initiatives that expand institutional reach and impact.When she's not hunched over the keyboard, she's trying her best at Olympic and Power weightlifting. - - - -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.

Jaime Hunt welcomes Adam Stoltz, Director of Enrollment Marketing at the University of Idaho, for a candid conversation on one of higher ed’s toughest challenges: marketing academic programs in a decentralized, siloed environment. From tackling the “order taker” mentality to building partnerships between colleges, admissions, and marketing teams, Adam shares how he’s helped bridge institutional gaps to drive strategic enrollment growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck translating institutional priorities into student-centric campaigns, this episode is packed with the real talk and actionable strategies you need.Guest Name: Adam Stolz, Director of Enrollment Marketing, University of IdahoGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamstoltz/Guest Bio: With over two decades of experience in higher education marketing and enrollment management, Adam Stolz holds an Ed.D. in higher education administration from Saint Louis University, a bachelor's degree in arts management with a minor in computer science, and a master's degree in organizational leadership and management. His career includes progressive leadership roles across diverse university settings—private, public, land-grant, flagship, and the largest state system in the country. He has received multiple marketing awards for his work, with expertise in CRM strategy, and he also serves as a higher education consultant. Currently, he is the Director of Enrollment Marketing at the University of Idaho, where he is part of the university’s marketing team, reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, and embedded with the Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management.  - - - -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.

Jaime Hunt sits down with Kelly Hiller, Chief Marketing Officer at Purdue University, to explore a revolutionary idea: integrating soft skills into performance management. Hiller shares how Purdue's Brand Studio is not only delivering exceptional marketing but also cultivating a high-performing, emotionally intelligent team culture. This episode is a must-listen for higher ed marketers looking to future-proof their teams and foster stronger leadership pipelines.Guest Name: Kelly Hiller, Chief Marketing Officer, Purdue UniversityGuest Social: www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-hillerGuest Bio: Kelly Hiller serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at Purdue University, where she has the honor of leading a dynamic team of professionals dedicated to elevating the Purdue brand. As an in-house agency, Purdue Brand Studio crafts compelling content that not only drives demand but also promotes and protects Purdue. Kelly has been working at Purdue since January 2005, when she joined the university’s marketing department as communications coordinator. In 2008 she transitioned to the Purdue Alumni Association, where she managed the communications team and oversaw production of Purdue Alumnus magazine. These roles laid the foundation for her later accomplishments, including leading the Giant Leaps Campaign during Purdue's 150th anniversary, which launched at Homecoming 2018 and concluded at Homecoming 2019. This experience remains a career highlight for her. Known for her ability to remain strong yet flexible amid the winds of chaotic change, she finds daily inspiration in the words "Nevertheless She Persisted," which she had tattooed on her wrist as a reminder to take a deep breath and focus on finding solutions in tough situations. Passionate about small-town revitalization, Kelly serves on the school board in her hometown of Attica, Indiana. As a proud mom of four, Kelly's dedication extends to her family. She enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones and supporting various community events. Kelly values the close-knit, supportive atmosphere within her team, where egos are checked at the door and successes are shared. For Kelly, leading at Purdue is not just a job but a family endeavor, where hard work is balanced with fun and care for one another.   - - - -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.

In this episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO, host Jaime Hunt sits down with Jen Brock, Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Mount Holyoke College. Together, they explore the evolving role of marketing leaders in higher ed during politically charged times, what it means to be radically mission-driven, and how inclusive, gender-diverse institutions like Mount Holyoke navigate a fraught national landscape. Brock shares candid insights on balancing bold storytelling with institutional responsibility—and why staying true to your values is non-negotiable in today’s higher ed climate.Guest Name: Jen Brock, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Mount Holyoke CollegeGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenbrock/Guest Bio: Jen Brock is Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Mount Holyoke College, a trailblazing institution that champions gender diversity and women’s leadership. She has dedicated her career to advancing mission-driven institutions through inclusive, strategic storytelling, holding communications leadership roles in higher education and K-12 schools (public and private). Deeply committed to equity and education, Jen frequently presents about her family’s experience in the Japanese American incarceration camps of WWII. - - - -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.

Jaime Hunt sits down with Meaghan Milliorn, Senior Director of Web Strategy and Operations at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, to unpack the web redesign process that earned national recognition. From overhauling outdated pages to building authentic buy-in through internal communications, Meaghan shares how a multi-year strategy helped UA Little Rock redefine its web presence—without losing the campus community along the way. If you're staring down the barrel of a major website overhaul, this episode is a must-listen.Guest Name: Meaghan Milliorn, Senior Director of Web Strategy at the University of Arkansas at Little RockGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meaghan-milliorn-fikes/Guest Bio: Meaghan Milliorn has worked at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for 16 years and serves as the Senior Director of Web Strategy and Operations. She and her team are responsible for overseeing the university website, its strategic focus, and ensuring it meets the needs of future and current students. In 2025, she led the successful launch of the redesigned university website. She earned her degree in mass communication from UA Little Rock and is actively involved with Digital Collegium and its annual conference. - - - -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.