Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO — with Jaime Hunt

Enrollify
  • 5.0 (31)
  • MARKETING
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Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is like a conference in a podcast, offering a blend of professional wisdom, innovative ideas, and personal anecdotes. Whether you're a higher ed marketer, a faculty member curious about the behind-the-scenes of university branding, or just someone with an interest in the intersection of education and marketing, the podcast is your gateway to the lesser-known narratives of higher education. In each episode, host Jaime Hunt engages in candid and insightful conversations with leading minds in the field, exploring not just the nuts and bolts of marketing, but also the diverse and often unexpected challenges and stories that define higher education marketing. Our guests, a mix of seasoned CMOs, innovative thinkers, and key influencers in the higher ed sector, don't just share their professional triumphs; they open up about their personal journeys and share their candid insights.. The podcast goes beyond the conventional, bringing to light the real stories behind campus campaigns, the evolving nature of student engagement, and the creative challenges in this unique field. With a host renowned for establishing a warm and engaging rapport, each episode feels less like an interview and more like a conversation between old friends. The discussions are not only thoughtful and informative but sprinkled with moments of humor and fun, capturing the essence of what it's like to navigate the complex world of higher education marketing. Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is hosted by Jaime Hunt and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.

  1. 14H AGO

    Ep. 98: How a Rebrand Boosted Enrollment 50%

    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 University Guest 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/JaimeHuntIMC About 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.

    44 min

  2. FEB 4

    Ep. 97: The Alumni Magazine Makeover: What Modern Audiences Really Want

    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 University Guest 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/JaimeHuntIMC About 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.

    39 min

  3. JAN 21

    Ep. 96: Marketing Academic Programs

    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 Idaho Guest 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/JaimeHuntIMC About 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.

    45 min

  4. JAN 7

    Ep. 95: Culture as a Competitive Edge: The Case for Soft Skills in Higher Ed Marketing

    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 University Guest Social: www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-hiller Guest 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/JaimeHuntIMC About 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.

    44 min

  5. 12/24/2025

    Ep. 94: Mission as a Megaphone: Leading with Courage in a Fraught Era

    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 College Guest 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/JaimeHuntIMC About 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.

    59 min

  6. 12/10/2025

    Ep. 93: Navigating a Website Redesign

    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 Rock Guest 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/JaimeHuntIMC About 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.

    46 min

  7. 11/26/2025

    Ep. 92: The “Why College Matters” Campaign

    Jaime Hunt sits down with Tamalyn Powell, SVP of Higher Education at BVK, to discuss the groundbreaking national campaign Proud Sponsor of America at Its Best. Designed to reshape public perception around the value of higher education, this initiative tackles rising skepticism head-on. Through data-driven messaging and a non-partisan approach, this campaign offers marketing leaders a powerful tool to advocate for higher ed’s relevance and societal impact. If you’re wondering how to counter declining trust in higher ed and drive collective impact, this episode is a must-listen. Guest Name: Tam Powell, Senior Vice President, BVK Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamalyn-powell-850a323/ Guest Bio: Tam focuses her efforts on how she and the higher education team can help clients break through the clutter. Tam is an expert in brand positioning and is responsible for all aspects of marketing, communications, planning and strategy on behalf of BVK’s broad portfolio of higher education clients across the country. As BVK’s higher education brand champion, her latest endeavor  - in partnership with BVK’s non-profit sister agency Serve Marketing - is producing and launching a national campaign highlight the impact of higher education in the United States to combat the negative narrative around the value of college. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMC About 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.

    39 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    Ep. 91: What it Really Takes to Counsel a President

    Jaime Hunt sits down with Joseph Brennan, Vice President for Communications and Marketing at Montclair State University, for a raw and riveting conversation on what it really means to counsel a university president. With over three decades in higher ed and experience advising 13 university presidents, Brennan shares how the role of CMO has evolved from tactician to trusted strategic advisor—and why communication professionals must develop executive presence, business fluency, and emotional intelligence to lead in today’s high-pressure environment. Guest Name: Joseph A. Brennan, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Montclair State University Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoebrennan/ Guest Bio: Joseph A. Brennan is Vice President for Communications & Marketing at Montclair State University, where he's proven that authentic storytelling works. He and his team have built a warm and genuine brand and brought it to life with narratives delivered across paid, earned, social and owned media, and designed innovative, data-driven campaigns that produced ROAS of nearly 7 to 1. Their award winning work has contributed to record enrollment for 4 successive years. Over three decades as a higher education communications and marketing executive, Joe has learned to put people first, because when team members feel seen and respected, they produce outstanding results. He's counseled 13 presidents, navigated major crises from international social media incidents to nationally publicized controversies, and directed high profile statewide campaigns to influence higher education policy in two states, but he's equally passionate about the quieter daily work of building teams where people want to stay and grow.  His leadership philosophy? Treat mistakes as learning opportunities, not firing offenses. Create psychological safety so that innovation can flourish. Use humor appropriately. Show up as a whole human being, not just a job title. Meet people where they are, not where you think they should be. This approach extends beyond the office. Joe is a registered yoga teacher and meditation guide who believes mindfulness practices make leaders more effective, not less focused. He's currently earning his executive coaching certification, building on years of mentoring colleagues through career transitions and workplace challenges. Joe's mission is simple: help leaders create workplaces where talented people thrive, not just survive. When people feel valued and supported, everything else gets better. He's authored nearly 20 articles, been elected to the PRSA College of Fellows, and won national awards for "public relations campaign of the year" and "best website overhaul." - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMC About 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.

    43 min
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About

Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is like a conference in a podcast, offering a blend of professional wisdom, innovative ideas, and personal anecdotes. Whether you're a higher ed marketer, a faculty member curious about the behind-the-scenes of university branding, or just someone with an interest in the intersection of education and marketing, the podcast is your gateway to the lesser-known narratives of higher education. In each episode, host Jaime Hunt engages in candid and insightful conversations with leading minds in the field, exploring not just the nuts and bolts of marketing, but also the diverse and often unexpected challenges and stories that define higher education marketing. Our guests, a mix of seasoned CMOs, innovative thinkers, and key influencers in the higher ed sector, don't just share their professional triumphs; they open up about their personal journeys and share their candid insights.. The podcast goes beyond the conventional, bringing to light the real stories behind campus campaigns, the evolving nature of student engagement, and the creative challenges in this unique field. With a host renowned for establishing a warm and engaging rapport, each episode feels less like an interview and more like a conversation between old friends. The discussions are not only thoughtful and informative but sprinkled with moments of humor and fun, capturing the essence of what it's like to navigate the complex world of higher education marketing. Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is hosted by Jaime Hunt and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.

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