Key Takeaways Alumni fundraising didn’t always start as a transaction but as a response to a need. It can be traced back to Yale in the late 1800s, when one of the country’s leading institutions found itself under incredible financial strain, to the point that the university president donated his...
“Is college worth it?” “Are universities being honest about costs and outcomes?” “Can I believe what this school promises?” Trust is currency in the higher ed landscape, and it’s still in short supply. For decades, colleges and universities could rely on prestige, tradition, or word of mouth to speak for...
For years, when we didn’t know the answer to a question, we said, “Just Google it.” Now, ask a Gen Alpha student the same thing and you’ll hear, “Just ChatGPT it.” “Just ChatGPT It” That subtle shift says everything about how search is changing. The next generation of students won’t...
Across the country, colleges and universities are facing an enrollment reality that’s increasingly difficult: the pool of traditional students is shrinking, tuition and costs are rising, and families are more selective than ever. At the same time, institutions are under growing pressure to improve equity and access for first-generation, underserved,...
Audiences change, and higher ed leaders know it. Recruiting millennials looked very different from reaching Gen Z, and the students of tomorrow will arrive with expectations shaped by a new societal climate. Yet one constant remains: students considering college want to know they can trust an institution to help them...
Should higher ed institutions welcome generative AI into their domain with open arms, or approach it with caution? How can these “technological aides” actually be used in ways that are responsible and ethical? These are questions many institutional leaders are asking right now. Some professionals are raving about the benefits...
Unexpected changes are inevitable—but strong project scoping keeps work on track. Learn how clear scope definition can guide teams through leadership shifts, timeline changes, and more.
For years, community and technical colleges have led with a powerful value proposition: access and affordability. And for good reason. These institutions have opened doors for millions of students who might otherwise be shut out of higher education. But today’s landscape demands more. Increased competition from regional four-year universities, online...
Clarity Over Cool Every higher ed marketer wants to “connect with Gen Z.” But that phrase has become a catch-all — a vague aspiration that too often results in TikTok-for-the-sake-of-TikTok or campaigns that try too hard to be clever and end up missing the point. Here’s the truth: Gen Z...
Why the Rules Have Changed—Again If you’re feeling like the playbook for enrollment has been rewritten every year since 2020, you’re not alone. Between shifting demographics, FAFSA chaos, and a public increasingly skeptical about the ROI of higher ed, 2025 is shaping up to be yet another unpredictable year for...
Most colleges and universities track brand awareness. Fewer track brand health.And the difference between the two can make or break your next enrollment cycle, capital campaign, or strategic plan. Because while awareness tells you if people know your institution, brand health tells you what they think of you, why they...
