Todd Henry

For nearly 20 years, Todd Henry has equipped leaders and creative pros to become the most valuable person in any room.
He is the author of seven books (including The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, and Herding Tigers) which have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and he speaks internationally on creativity, productivity, passion for work, and generating brilliant ideas.

Todd’s podcast Daily Creative has been downloaded more than 20 million times since 2005. Over the years, Todd has developed a comprehensive framework (The Brilliance
Engine™) that empowers leaders and creative pros to produce brilliant work in healthy teams that make a meaningful difference in the world.

Through his keynotes and workshops, he shares practical strategies to help people and teams to be brave, focused, and brilliant every day.

Raymond Day

Ray Day is Vice Chair of Stagwell and Executive Chair of Allison Worldwide. His role supports integration, innovation and growth at Stagwell and Allison Worldwide, with a particular focus on communications, public relations, corporate affairs, reputation, crisis readiness and directly serving as senior communications counsel for major clients around the world.

Ray is a recognized voice and leader in communications and public relations. He joined Stagwell in February 2020 with more than three decades of experience and insights as a chief communications officer leading global communications teams, brands and agencies. He is well-known for expertise in reputation building, content creation, data and analytics, crisis readiness and recovery, and communications team development.

Before joining Stagwell, Ray was IBM’s Chief Communications Officer, leading the company’s global Communications and Corporate Citizenship teams in more than 170 countries. His role included communications for all external and internal stakeholders.

Before IBM, Ray was Group Vice President of Communications and served 28 years with Ford. His accomplishments include transforming Ford’s communications model working with then CEO Alan Mulally. This led to the biggest improvement ever in the company’s corporate reputation and brand strength. He was cited as a key part the Ford transformation in the American Icon business book.

Ray’s global experience includes being based for four years in Europe, serving as head of Ford’s European Public Affairs, living in both Germany and the UK.

Before joining Ford, Ray was a reporter and editor in the Detroit area.

Ray has long been recognized on PRWeek’s Power List and the Holmes Influence 100. He serves on the Public Relations Society of America national board of directors and is 2025 chair; is a past chair of The Seminar, an annual global forum for senior communications leaders and executives; is a trustee for the Institute for Public Relations; board member for the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations; and a member of the Page Society and PRSA Foundation. He has achieved Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) through PRSA.

He is a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and currently serves on the Wayne State Board of Visitors.

Vanessa Lea Otero

Vanessa Otero is the visionary Founder and CEO of Ad Fontes Media, a company renowned for its innovative approach to assessing news bias and reliability. Otero’s journey began with the creation of the Media Bias Chart in 2016, which quickly gained traction for its insightful categorization of news sources. This chart laid the groundwork for Ad Fontes Media, established in 2018, with a mission to rate all the news and positively transform society.

Otero’s leadership at Ad Fontes Media is marked by her commitment to bridging political divides and fostering informed communities. Her efforts have been pivotal in encouraging advertisers to invest in news media, emphasizing the importance of supporting reliable journalism as a cornerstone of democracy. Under her guidance, Ad Fontes Media has grown significantly, raising investment capital and successfully establishing a commercial market for news source ratings.

Before founding Ad Fontes Media, Otero practiced as a patent attorney, specializing in software. Her legal background, combined with her academic credentials—a B.A. in English from UCLA and a J.D. from the University of Denver—equips her with a unique perspective on media analysis and the role of technology in our information ecosystem.

Otero’s work has been widely recognized and featured in numerous media outlets, including CNN, NewsNation and The Economist. She actively participates in public speaking engagements, advocating for media reliability and bias awareness. Through these efforts, she continues to inspire advertisers and brands to support trustworthy news sources, thereby promoting a healthier media ecosystem.

Kevin McClure

Dr. Kevin R. McClure is a Professor of Higher Education and Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He also serves as Co-Director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges. Kevin is a distinguished scholar of college leadership and organizational change. A renowned public scholar, he has most recently penned the popular workplace advice column at The Chronicle of Higher Education. Kevin’s best-selling book, The Caring University: Reimagining the Higher Education Workplace after the Great Resignation, was released with Johns Hopkins University Press in 2025.

David Hawkins

David Hawkins is the Chief Education and Policy Officer for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), based in Arlington, VA. The National Association for College Admission Counseling is a non-profit membership association that represents more than 28,000 high school counselors and college admission officers throughout the U.S. and around the world. NACAC is devoted to making the transition between high school and postsecondary education equitable, transparent, and fair. Mr. Hawkins holds a BA and MA in Government from the College of William & Mary in Virginia. From 1995-1998, he conducted research for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in Washington, DC. From 1998-2000, he served under President Bill Clinton as a Congressional Affairs Specialist at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Hawkins joined NACAC as Director of Government Relations in March 2000 and over his 25 years with the association has assumed responsibility for leading NACAC’s advocacy, research, education and training, and equity initiatives.

Sue Cunningham

Sue Cunningham is President and CEO of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), which supports 3,000 schools, colleges and universities worldwide in their advancement work (alumni relations, communications, fundraising and marketing). Ms. Cunningham leads one of the largest associations of education-related institutions in the world with members in over 80 countries. She began her role in 2015.

Under her leadership, CASE acquired the Voluntary Support of Education survey and created CASE Insights; published the first global and digital edition of CASE’s Global Reporting Standards and Guidelines; and launched global Alumni Engagement and Brand and Reputation surveys in addition to annual fundraising surveys. CASE created a competencies model and a related career journey framework for the profession, and has reinvigorated a global advocacy agenda.

Ms. Cunningham serves as a Trustee for the University of San Diego, and Chairs its Student Affairs Committee. She is a member of the Signature Theatre Board of Directors. She is a member of the Washington Higher Education Secretariat Steering Committee, and the International Association of University Presidents Executive Committee. She wrote ‘Global Exchange: Dialogues to Advance Education’.

Prior to CASE, she held senior advancement roles at the University of Melbourne, the University of Oxford, Christ Church, Oxford; and St. Andrews University.  She is an Honorary Fellow of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and was awarded a master’s degree from the University of Oxford, and a bachelor’s from Middlesex University.

Kara D. Freeman

Kara D. Freeman is president and chief executive officer of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), a nonprofit professional organization representing chief administrative and financial officers at more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities. A strategic leader with more than three decades of experience in both for-profit and nonprofit management, she joined NACUBO in 2023 after serving as senior vice president and operating officer of the American Council on Education (ACE). She serves on the board of directors for Discover Engineering (DiscoverE) and currently chairs its finance, audit, and budget committee. Previously, she was a board member at EDUCAUSE; the Technology Advisory Council for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE); The Training Source, Inc.; and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Information Systems department. Kara earned a bachelor’s degree in information systems from UMBC and an MBA from The George Washington University. She also holds a Certified Association Executive credential from ASAE.

Ted Mitchell

Ted Mitchell has served as president of the American Council on Education (ACE), the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities, since September 2017. Mitchell and his team work closely with Congress, the executive branch, and the private sector to develop policies and innovative practices that serve our country’s postsecondary learners. Mitchell’s leadership of ACE and the entire higher education community is informed by a career committed to increasing access to high-quality education and improving outcomes for all students. Mitchell served in the Obama administration as U.S. under secretary of education. Mitchell and his team at the Department of Education (ED) reinstated Pell Grants for incarcerated adults, created the College Scorecard, and restored millions of dollars to students who were defrauded by their institutions. Before joining ED, Mitchell served in a variety of higher education leadership roles, including as president of Occidental College (1999–2005); vice chancellor and dean at the University of California, Los Angeles; professor and department chair at Dartmouth College; and a member of the Stanford University Board of Trustees. Mitchell has also been a leader in K–12 education. He served as chief executive officer of the NewSchools Venture Fund—a venture philanthropy that invests in K–12 innovation to support low-income students, schools, and communities—and as president of the California State Board of Education. Throughout his career, Mitchell has worked to create an educational system that serves the goals of excellence, equity, and social justice. Mitchell received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as his PhD, from Stanford University. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Mitchell is a current board member of Coursera, Khan Academy, Occidental College, TIAA,​​ Education Quality Outcomes Standards Board, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, and Credential Engine.

Moises Aguayo

Moises Aguayo serves as the Enrollment Recruitment Coordinator at Georgia State University’s Graduate School. With over five years in higher education marketing, he excels in blending data analytics with creative storytelling to enhance student recruitment. Since joining Georgia State in 2020, Moises has been instrumental in managing digital campaigns, leading to a 40% increase in applicant diversity and generating over $3 million in enrollment revenue. He holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Analysis from the University of Missouri.

Caty Allgood

Caty Allgood (allgood@ohio.edu) currently serves as the Executive Director of Annual Giving at Ohio University. A seasoned Advancement professional, her 18-year career has spanned across major giving, gift planning and annual giving. As a two-time OHIO alumna, Caty feels incredibly fortunate to now raise funds to make an OHIO education possible for others. Caty’s team won a CASE Grand Gold award in 2022 for their Give Like Gary Campaign and continues to incorporate creative strategies (like Name a Squirrel) into annual giving appeals. Caty spends her free time with her husband, their 4-year-old son and their 2-year-old Yorkie.

Carolina Almonte

Carolina Almonte currently serves as the Director of Talent Management at the University of Toronto. Before taking on this role, she built a 20-year international career in the private sector, which spanned six countries and combined experiences in various functions such as Sales, Marketing, Operations, Human Resources, and Training and Development. Her education includes a BA in Market Administration from Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña, an MA in Marketing from Universidad Pontificia Madre y Maestra, an MS in Maritime Affairs from World Maritime University, and a postgraduate certificate in Human Resources from Centennial College.

Marco Amaro

Marco’s career has focused on multicultural marketing strategy, positioning, brand identity, and research for fortune 500 companies such as Metlife and State Farm, as well as in the higher education space.

Marco’s area of expertise focuses on helping organizations build an inclusive marketing strategy from the ground up – from gathering the right insights to inform a marketing approach to the implementation of tactical plans to increase brand equity and perception within a target demographic. He currently holds the position of Executive Director of Digital Marketing and Strategy at Lewis University.

Emily Hughes Armour

Emily Hughes Armour is Executive Director of Creative Marketing at SMU, where she leads an in-house, cross-functional team advancing creative, brand, and content strategy. She brings 20+ years’ experience in progressive digital creative roles—including 17 years with national retailers across visual design, art direction, web and mobile development, e-commerce, and interactive marketing. Data-informed and detail-driven, Emily focuses on creative that moves audiences and measurably improves performance and conversion. She holds an M.A. in Design & Innovation and an M.B.A. in Marketing, Consumer Product & Brand Management. Her expertise spans creative strategy, brand management, art and creative direction, original content, integrated digital marketing, interactive production workflows, optimizing teams and resources for scale, as well as team leadership, organizational health, and creative operations.

Cody Arnold

Cody guides paid media strategy for higher education clients, ensuring campaigns align with institutional goals and deliver measurable results. Named the agency’s Rookie of the Year when he joined seven years ago, Cody now leads multiple higher education media plans, from east coast hidden gems to west coast dream schools. Three of his campaigns broke enrollment records in 2025. His higher ed journey began at Harrisburg Area Community College, which prepared him for success at Penn State University.

Claudia Arrington

Claudia provides colleges and universities with strategy, guidance, and practical advice to ensure their campaigns succeed. She brings more than a decade of experience in media, advertising, and content strategy, with past roles at The Commercial Dispatch, AdvantiPro GmbH and Axel Springer SE.

Jacob Austin

Jacob Austin is the Associate Director for Marketing, Communications, and Events in University Admissions at Towson University, where he leads strategic initiatives to engage prospective students and families. With over a decade of experience in digital marketing and public affairs, Jacob has held leadership roles at the United Way of Central Maryland, NAACP, Baltimore City Mayor’s Office, and Maryland Department of Commerce. He brings a strong background in storytelling, community engagement, and digital strategy to every role. Known for his creative vision and collaborative spirit, Jacob is passionate about using marketing to drive impact and expand access to higher education.

Mindy Avitia

As a film major from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City, Mindy has an eye for storytelling that, coupled with a passion to do good, led her toward a career focused on mission-driven work. For nearly a decade, she has worked in both the nonprofit and social impact sectors. Managing marketing for national and local organizations, including The National Center for Farmworker Health, Austin Community Foundation, and Impact Hub Austin. From the start, she has been inspired by mission-driven organizations–their grit, their perseverance of mission, and their undeniable “mightiness.” Here at Mighty Citizen, Mindy works with the brand marketing team to build our brand awareness (and bring new leads to the business) through impactful, fun events. Whether that’s through event partnerships, speaking presentations, sponsorship opportunities, webinars, or more, if Mighty Citizen is involved in an event, she likely is too.

Sally Badoud

Sally Badoud is Associate Vice President for Enrollment Marketing and Creative Services at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She leads strategic marketing and creative initiatives that drive student recruitment and brand visibility at UTEP, a top-tier research university with a mission of access and excellence. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education and agency settings, Sally brings a blend of creative leadership and strategic insight to her work. Prior to UTEP, she served as Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and held senior roles at The University of Alabama in Huntsville and StoneRiver, Inc., a marketing and advertising services company. Sally earned a BA in Studio Art and an MBA from The University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Shane Baglini

Shane Baglini serves as executive director of marketing and branding at William & Mary where he is responsible for the strategic planning, leadership, and execution of the digital marketing, research and analytics, multimedia, and creative teams’ efforts to develop and sustain a comprehensive brand and marketing strategy for William & Mary.

Approaching a decade in higher education, his background spans enrollment marketing, brand and creative strategy, digital transformation, and more.

Brynne Behringer

With 16 years as a Partner at Central States Marketing, Brynne brings deep expertise in building integrated marketing strategies that connect digital and traditional channels into powerful, measurable plans. She leads national and international campaigns with a focus on aligning marketing goals to business outcomes—whether guiding emerging brands or supporting Fortune 500 clients. Brynne is recognized for her ability to manage complex initiatives, from multi-channel media campaigns to enterprise-level digital transformations, always centering measurable results as the foundation of success. Known for her collaborative leadership style and solutions-driven mindset, she helps clients and teams alike navigate the ever-changing marketing environment while driving innovation, growth, and results.

Beth Berg

Beth Berg is the Director of Integrated Marketing at Duke University, where she highlights the people, achievements, and ambitions that define Duke. She helps tell stories across channels, ensuring alignment with Duke’s strategic priorities and showcasing the university’s impact. Before Duke, Beth shaped Raleigh’s first city brand, launched a new website, and led integrated communications across service areas. Prior to returning to North Carolina, where she grew up, she spent 15 years in New York City at advertising agencies, managing client relationships and building big brands like Tide, Hershey’s, Jif, and T.J. Maxx.

Rob Bielby

Over his career, Rob has guided campuses through mergers, modernized pricing structures, and built data-driven enrollment strategies that have increased headcount, net revenue, and student diversity. His work has supported institutions of every size and mission—from private Catholic universities to public research institutions, including one home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Before joining Huron, Rob served as executive vice president of client success at Whiteboard Higher Education, which was acquired by Huron in 2021. He previously held leadership roles at Gongos Inc. and in higher education research and analytics. Rob holds master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and Stony Brook University, and two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Michigan-Flint. His research has been widely published in the fields of higher education policy and statistical methodology.

Jeri Bingham

Dr. Jeri Bingham is the Vice President of External Affairs at Prairie State College, a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) and emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). She is also an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University, where she teaches Organizational Behavior: Managing Diversity and Inclusion, as well as The Power of Introverts—the first course of its kind offered through Northwestern’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Jeri is the founder of Black Introvert Week (February 8–15) and has been featured in Chicago Tribune, Cosmo UK, Rolling Out, Color Magazine, WGN Radio, and The Myers-Briggs Podcast. She contributes regularly to Rolling Out and Myers-Briggs magazines.

With experience spanning state government, nonprofits, four higher education institutions, and agencies like Leo Burnett and Golin Harris, Jeri has led impactful marketing, communications, and internal/external relations campaigns. Her messaging style blends clarity and emotion, helping organizations engage diverse audiences and elevate brand resonance. Jeri also facilitates workshops for nonprofit leaders at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Nonprofit Management Institute. She holds a Bachelor’s in Public Relations, a Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership.

Jessica Blake

I’m a multimedia journalist with a particular interest in covering issues of education policy, equity and access. Compelled by journalists’ vital role as public servants, I’m passionate about press freedom and defending the reporting work that is key to informed participation in democracy.

I’ve loved storytelling in its myriad of forms for as long as I can remember—from whimsical fairytales, to raw memoirs, a Broadway stage to a hardback book. With four years of study at the world’s first journalism school under my belt and a passion for public service, I found a type of storytelling to call my own.

Michelle Blakley

Director of Brand & Marketing Texas A&M University Michelle Blakley leads strategic brand initiatives that highlight the university’s mission, impact and values. Her work includes the widely acclaimed “What Texas A&M Stands For” and “We Stand with Those Who Serve” campaigns, which have collectively garnered over 35 million views and resonated deeply with audiences nationwide. With over a decade of experience in higher education, technology, and marketing, Michelle is known for blending creativity with data-driven strategy to drive engagement, elevate brand presence, and deliver measurable results. With over a decade of experience in higher education, technology, and nonprofit marketing, Michelle is known for blending creativity with data-driven strategy to drive engagement, elevate brand presence, and deliver measurable results.

Gus Bolognesi

Gus Bolognesi is Director of Growth at Net Natives, where he has spent the past 10 years in diverse client service roles, building expertise in fostering growth for university partners through creativity and technology. Based in Brooklyn, New York for six years, he leads strategy development for US clients, emphasizing ROI-driven solutions like AI-powered measurement tools. His hands-on experience spans campaign planning, performance optimization, and data integration, enabling commercial success in competitive higher education markets. Gus empowers teams to leverage insights for smarter budget allocation and enrollment outcomes.

R. Ethan Braden

R. Ethan Braden is Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Texas A&M University, where he leads the strategy to position, promote, and protect America’s largest land grant university. Reporting to President Mark Welsh, a retired four-star general and former Chief of Staff for the United States Air Force, Ethan and his team are driving a rapid brand transformation—from new heights of national recognition to novel partnerships within NASCAR and IndyCar, at SXSW, and with Dude Perfect.

In under a year, Ethan’s team launched a new university-wide brand platform, produced video content generating 67 million YouTube views (up 20,000% vs. 2023), and helped Texas A&M become the only university named by Fast Company to its 2025 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies.

Previously, as EVP and CMO at Purdue University and Purdue Global, Ethan helped turn the institution into a marketing powerhouse, transcending the higher education space in becoming a three-time Fast Company “Brand That Matters” and landing Purdue ahead of NASA and Disney on their Most Innovative Companies list, #1 in the Education category. He has spoken at Salesforce’s Dreamforce and Connections conferences, AdWeek’s Brandweek, Google Marketing Live, and keynoted at Content Marketing World. His work has been recognized in Ad Age, The Washington Post, Morning Brew, and NPR, which reported, “if there is a top dog in higher ed marketing, it’s Ethan Braden.”

Named Content Marketer of the Year (B2C) in 2023 by the Content Marketing Institute and Marketer of the Year (Higher Education) in 2020 by the American Marketing Association, Ethan spent a decade at Eli Lilly & Company in marketing leadership roles, building billion-dollar brands including Cymbalta and Jardiance.

He holds a BA from Willamette University, an MBA from the University of Notre Dame, and lives in College Station, Texas, with his wife and three children. Previously, Ethan’s teams transformed Purdue University and Purdue Global’s marketing through emotive storytelling and team development, evidenced by Fast Company Magazine selecting Purdue University as a “Brand That Matters” 3 years in a row.

Ethan was named 2023 Content Marketer of the Year (Content Marketing Institute) and ‘Marketer of the Year’ for higher education in 2020 (AMA). Before Purdue, Ethan excelled at Lilly, helping to build billion-dollar brands including Cymbalta and Jardiance.

Carol Branson

Carol Branson is the Vice President for Marketing and Communication at Flagler College, where she leads a dynamic team focused on advancing the College’s brand, reputation, and digital presence. With prior leadership experience at Hanover College and Indiana University, Carol brings deep expertise in branding, user experience, crisis communication, and lifecycle communication journeys. She oversees a broad portfolio including the College’s website, social media, publications, external relations, and Flagler’s Legacy. Known for her strategic mindset and commitment to mentoring others, Carol is passionate about building high-performing teams and delivering impactful, student-centered communication that elevates Flagler’s mission and reach.

Joseph Brennan

Dr. Brennan is one of the nation’s most respected and influential higher education marketing and public relations professionals. Over a 30 year career he has served three major public research universities as a vice president (the University of Iowa, the University at Albany-SUNY, and Montclair State University). As a cabinet member or consultant he has been a trusted advisor to more than a dozen presidents, supporting them to make significant institutional transformations, grow revenues and navigate through high risk situations.

Brennan is also a published author and public speaker whose research interests include emergency communications, crisis leadership, services marketing, and design and leadership of the communications function. He is the primary author of the first statistically rigorous and peer-reviewed critique of the leading system for college rankings, and his work has helped change how college communications professionals think about rankings. He is also a peer reviewer for the Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management. Go here for a complete list of his peer-reviewed and professional publications: https://www.josephabrennan.com/publications

He earned the Accredited in Public Relations credential from the Public Relations Society of America in 1998. In 2017, Brennan was elected a member of the PRSA College of Fellows, a distinction conferred on a select few senior professionals after a rigorous peer review process, in recognition of superior performance, knowledge, ethics and service to the profession.

Brennan holds a doctorate in English, a master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing (4.0 GPA), and a BA in English and Psychology (summa cum laude). He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and three other academic honor societies.

His professional service includes chairing the board of the national professional society for higher education communicators, PRSA Counselors to Higher Education; volunteering as a disaster communications expert for the American Red Cross; and serving on the planning committee for the American Marketing Association’s higher education marketing conference, the largest gathering of university marketers in the world. Brennan has also served as an independent peer reviewer for assessments of college and university communications and marketing departments.

Kelly Brennan

Kelly Brennan is the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management overseeing strategic planning related to recruitment and enrollment at The University of North Carolina – Pembroke.

Andrew Brezinski

Andrew Brezinski ’05 has spent the last three decades shaping brand and storytelling at Coppin State University. With a passion for believing in potential and navigating the journey, his humble beginnings in publications and “true grit” prepared him to steer university marketing through a brand refresh, $25M capital campaign and a quasquicentennial celebration.

Kari Brill

Kari Brill brings over two decades of experience in audience engagement and data-driven decision-making to her leadership role at Riester, one of the largest independently-owned advertising agencies in the western United States. At Riester, she leads the charge in identifying key audiences and crafting strategies to reach them during pivotal moments, driving impactful media campaigns across a range of industries, including higher education.

Suzan Brinker, PhD

Suzan has dedicated her career to helping education initiatives build strong value propositions and communicate them to the right audiences. Her work spans enrollment marketing initiatives at Penn State, Northeastern, Babson, Bryant, Tufts, Assumption University and the University of Cambridge. Having served as Director of Marketing and CMO in multiple complex university settings, Suzan is excited to lead Viv Education because it gives her the chance to build the agency partner she always wished she had.

Betsy Brown

Betsy is responsible for brand strategy and initiatives to advance the reputation of the University of Michigan, where she leads the in-house agency. Her work is rooted in using audience behavioral and attitudinal insights to build marketing plans that achieve business goals. Previously, Betsy was the Director of IMC in U-M’s Enrollment Management office. Over her career, she has supported brands across the automotive, education, finance, information, and hospitality and tourism sectors. Her results have been recognized by the Public Relations Society of America, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and the International Association of Business Communicators.

Ryan Brown

Ryan Brown co-leads 160over90 globally. With nearly two decades of experience, he’s led strategy development for iconic brands like Under Armour, Marriott, and the Philadelphia Eagles, as well as institutions like Yale University and UVA. Ryan blends strategic rigor with creative collaboration, drawing on his deep experience in brand positioning with pro sports, higher education, health systems, and lifestyle/consumer brands to guide clients across diverse categories and geographic regions. A passionate advocate for research-driven branding and omni-channel marketing campaigns, Ryan frequently leads workshops and speaks on brand strategy and creative integration.

Sarah Brown

Sarah Brown is The Chronicle of Higher Education’s news editor, assigning and editing daily-news coverage on federal policy, college leadership, the academic workplace, and other topics. She also helps spearhead The Chronicle’s programs for early-career journalists. Sarah joined the publication a decade ago as a reporter covering student life and campus culture, including sexual assault and harassment, race and diversity, and mental health.

Ashley Budd

Ashley Budd is a leading voice in higher education marketing and digital strategy. As Senior Director of Advancement Marketing at Cornell University, she brings over a decade of experience crafting emotionally resonant messages that drive engagement and loyalty. She is co-author of the bestselling email marketing book Mailed It! and author of the popular newsletter Ashley in Your Inbox.

Stephanie Burset

Stephanie Burset is the Senior Director of Brand Marketing at Vanderbilt University, bringing over a decade of experience in brand management and marketing across the consumer packaged goods, direct-to-consumer, and higher education sectors. Stephanie is passionate about leveraging data-driven strategies to build authentic brand identities. She holds a BA in history from Princeton University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She lives in Nashville with her husband, four year old son, and dog Rosie.

Auris Calvino

Auris Calvino is the Associate Director of Online Marketing & Communications at The University of Texas at San Antonio since 2021. She has over 15 years of experience in Marketing, 10 specific to higher education. Auris oversees website, SEO, social media strategies, email campaigns, and partner/vendor relationships. Her specialties include building marketing strategies from the ground up and capturing the voice of students and faculty to showcase everything the university has to offer. She is proud to have contributed to UTSA’s enrollment growth and being ranked as a best online program by USNWR for 4 years in a row.

Frank Camp

Frank Camp is the Executive Director of Brand Strategy at the University of Arizona, where he leads efforts to strengthen and evolve the university’s brand on a national and global scale. A Tucson native and proud alumnus, Frank has held multiple leadership roles at the university, including leading the institution’s international marketing and communications team.

Bill Campbell

Bill Campbell is an award-winning marketing, technology, and communications leader skilled in creating a unique brand voice, building awareness, improving operations, and driving revenue. He serves as the vice president of operations and communications at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA where he provides strategic leadership and oversees all aspects of the Campus Services division, which includes Marketing & Communications, Information Technology, Facilities Management, Events & Conference Services, the Campus Gear Store, and the Post Office/Print Center. Joining Chatham in 2012 as the vice president of marketing and communications, Campbell helped lead the successful coed transition of Chatham’s 145-year-old undergraduate women’s college and served as the interim vice president of enrollment management. In 2015, he was honored with the American Marketing Association’s Higher Education Marketer of the Year for his team’s efforts. Before Chatham, he worked for over a decade at a brand and marketing agency in North Carolina, culminating in his role as the vice president of brand strategy. He began his career in the nonprofit sector as the director of annual giving and operations for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. He holds a B.A. from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Western Governors University (WGU).

Christie Campbell

Katy Campbell

Katy Campbell is the Chief Client Officer at VisionPoint Marketing, where she leads the Business Development and Client Experience departments to creatively craft solutions for enrollment leaders and foster long-term partnerships. A seasoned marketing strategist across B2C industries, Katy specializes in innovative paid media tactics and demand generation strategies that drive measurable results. Before joining VisionPoint, Katy led acquisitions and rebrands for North Carolina Football Club and internal communication projects for Apple, inc.

Bridget Campolettano

Bridget Campolettano is the inaugural Director of Communications for Admission and Financial Aid at Amherst College. In her role, she is responsible for the communications strategy for the division, including marketing strategy and outreach materials for prospective students, digital communications, and the admission and financial aid website content. Before Amherst, Bridget worked in College Marketing and Communications at her alma mater, College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass, where her portfolio included oversight and strategy for admission outreach, the college website and the college brand and marketing strategy, special projects for college leadership and other editorial responsibilities.

Jorge Castorena

Jorge Castorena is an experienced marketing and communications leader with over 10 years of expertise in helping organizations craft compelling narratives that resonate with growing, engaged audiences. From branding and digital strategy to content development and data analysis, Jorge has overseen every aspect of the integrated marketing process to drive impactful results.

Currently serving as the Marketing Director at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Jorge has held various leadership positions in the nonprofit and higher education sectors. A strategic thinker and problem-solver, he serves on several nonprofit boards, leads organizational strategic planning, and has presented at national conferences.

Bart Caylor

Bart Caylor is President and Founder of Caylor Solutions, a higher ed marketing firm serving institutions across North America. With over 35 years of experience, he has worked with leading brands including Motorola, RCA, Lumina Foundation, and Western Governors University. Bart is the host of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast, a top-ranked show with over 200 episodes. Recognized as one of the “Top 10 Higher Ed Marketers to Follow,” he is a nationally respected voice on mission-fit enrollment marketing and the role of AI in higher education. A sought-after speaker, Bart is also the author of Chasing Mission Fit, which reached #1 in Marketing on Amazon.

Jamie Ceman

As the RW Jones Agency’s leader of brand and marketing, Jamie Ceman oversees a unique approach to brand strategy that informs integrated marketing and communications strategy for institutions across the country. She also serves as a fractional CMO/CCO, providing marketing and communications expertise as an in-house member of the college or university’s leadership team.

Jamie joined RWJ in 2023 after almost two decades in both the private sector and higher education. Jamie was recently honored with the American Marketing Association’s Higher Education Marketer of the Year Award for her work as vice president at Chapman University, where she led the evolution and rollout of the university’s first-ever branding strategy that grew Chapman’s national stature while contributing to record enrollment and fundraising.

Originally from the Midwest, Jamie’s career includes e-business consulting in the private sector and e-commerce marketing for two national brands before entering higher education in the University of Wisconsin System. She has won numerous professional awards, including being an honoree of the 2022 PRNews Top Women and recognition from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (Hermes and MarCom Awards) and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence. In fact, Jamie and her team at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh were the first-ever winners of the American Marketing Association’s Higher Education Marketer of the Year Team Award, making her a two-time winner of AMA’s Higher Education Marketer of the Year.

An alumna of the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Jamie earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in management information systems. She also holds a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University and a doctorate in leadership and organizational change at the University of Southern California (USC).

Brian Clark

As the Senior Director of Digital Experience at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Brian leads the strategy and execution of digital products and programs that transform and enhance the institution’s online presence, brand visibility, and user satisfaction. With 20 years of experience in content development, marketing, and experience design, Brian has deep expertise in creating digital ecosystems that advance an organization’s strategic priorities. Brian lives in East Greenwich, Rhode Island with his family

Loretta Cooper

Loretta Cooper is on a mission to help leaders develop workplaces where humans can thrive, move toward mastery, work as cohesive teams, and enjoy their work.

A former National Affairs Correspondent for ABC News (aka Lauren Rogers), she is the recipient of the prestigious DuPont Columbia Award for Excellence in Journalism, the Edward R. Murrow Award for Outstanding Reporting, and has been recognized by the National Academy for Television Arts and Sciences for her coverage of the September 11 attacks on our nation.

Loretta holds a graduate certificate in Executive Coaching, from Georgetown University, is a Master Practitioner of the Team Diagnostic Survey, and The Leadership Circle Profile. She served on the board of directors for the Washington D.C. Chapter of the International Coach Federation, the largest ICF Chapter in the world.

Marina Cooper

Marina Cooper is the Senior Associate Vice President for Integrated Marketing and Brand at Johns Hopkins University, where she leads the Office of University Communications’ digital strategy, creative, multimedia, and marketing teams. Marina’s 22-year career has spanned strategic communications roles in K-12, higher education and the public sector, including two Governor-appointed public affairs roles for the State of Maryland.

At Hopkins, Marina spearheaded the university’s first brand awareness campaign for the opening of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C., a multi-channel strategy that generated tens of millions in reach, engagement, and new audience acquisition. Prior to joining Hopkins, Marina served as the Vice President of University Marketing and Communications at Towson University, leading an award-winning rebrand in 2019.

A graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, Marina earned a B.A. in Communications before completing an M.B.A. at the University of Maryland Global Campus. She is a graduate of the Harvard Institute for Educational Management program.

Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by I-95 Magazine, Marina has held several volunteer and board roles including the CASE Commission for Marketing and Communications, University of Maryland Alumni Association Board of Governors, and incoming Chapter President for AMA Baltimore.

Dana Cruikshank, MPH

Dana crafts strategies that enhance enrollment and stakeholder engagement, helping institutions achieve sustainable growth. He combines his expertise in marketing and higher education to deliver tailored solutions that drive results. A proud HBCU graduate, he is particularly mindful of how different audiences perceive their presence in higher education. This includes working with several HBCUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), and helping two institutions achieve HSI status.

Angelique Daniels

Angelique Daniels is the director of marketing and communications at Ideastream Public Media, Northeast Ohio’s NPR and PBS affiliate and the state’s largest independent, publicly supported media organization. Ideastream serves 3.6 million people across 22 counties through trusted news, information, and classical music on its radio, TV, and digital platforms. In her role, Angelique develops and implements strategic marketing and communications plans that enhance brand awareness, drive engagement, and increase the organization’s visibility in the community.

Prior to joining Ideastream, she spent more than a decade in higher education, most recently as director of marketing strategy and research at Kent State University. Her leadership experience spans marketing, university communications, social media, student success, and alumni engagement. She has also taught courses in journalism, communication, and public speaking, bringing her passion for empowering others into the classroom.

Angelique holds a bachelor’s degree in electronic media, speech, and public relations from Ashland University and a master’s degree in communication from The University of Akron. She resides in Kent, Ohio, with her husband, Michael Daniels, Ph.D., their daughter, Annaleigh, and their Doberman, Apollo.

Audra Delaney-Hall

Audra directs projects across Viv’s portfolio in addition to heading internal operations, organizational leadership, and creating paths of success for the Viv team. With a background in enrollment marketing at Bowling Green State University and Williams College, she builds systems that foster collaboration and ensure teams meet their goals effectively.

Bess Denney

Bess Denney is a seasoned marketing and communications leader with years of experience in agencies across the country, both large and small. In her current role as SVP, Branding at 160over90, she oversees client services, business development and paid media services. In her role, she partners with clients spanning higher education, professional sports, and CPG brands. Leading teams responsible for forty clients across the agency’s Branding Center of Expertise, she brings a combination of creative vision and operational expertise, consistently pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in integrated marketing and communications. A proud Boston College alum, she began her career in media planning and strategy before transitioning into client services, where she thrives as a confident collaborator and skilled negotiator. Known for her ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver results through creative, business-driven solutions, Bess excels in navigating the ever-evolving advertising landscape with a deep understanding of consumer insights and a commitment to data-driven marketing.

Francie Diep

I write about the hunt for prestige in academe — how reputations are built, how they’re lost, and how they affect the bottom line. I cover the ways in which colleges seek to climb rankings, the activities of ranking bodies such as U.S. News & World Report, and how those moves affect students’ enrollment decisions. My stories have also explored image and prestige by diving into a Harvard lab famous for studying elite institutions, spotlighting the colleges that pay for positive coverage, unpacking the debate over standardized-test scores in admissions, and investigating conflicts that arise when colleges take money from the multilevel marketing industry and Big Pharma.

I’m interested in hearing from prospective students who are deciding what college to attend; experts who study college reputations and rankings; and administrators and faculty and staff members at colleges that are trying to gain a higher profile — about how those efforts affect their work.

Finally, I chair the hiring committee for The Chronicle’s internship program. Get in touch if you have questions about applying. I began my reporting career as a health and science journalist for publications including Scientific American and Popular Science. In 2018, while working as a staff writer at Pacific Standard magazine, I was a data fellow with the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Center for Health Journalism. The story I wrote for the fellowship led the California Department of Health Care Services to refer one addiction-rehab facility for investigation.

I joined The Chronicle in 2019. Since then, I’ve spoken about rankings at several conferences and to the media. (“I’m a reformed Tiger Mom,” an audience member at one of my panels told me, “after we got my daughter into Columbia this year.”)

I earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California at Los Angeles and a master’s degree in journalism from New York University.

Jeff Dillon

Jeff Dillon is the Digital Strategist for Higher Education at SearchStax and is the founder of EdTech Connect, a technology marketplace designed exclusively for the higher education community. Jeff has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the higher education technology sector with expertise in search engines, artificial intelligence, digital experience platforms, personalization strategies and communication tools.

Lien Do

A former Assistant Director of Admissions at Wilkes University, where she earned undergraduate and graduate degrees, Lien now supports Paskill clients as an account manager and has contributed to market research and admissions workshops. She brings firsthand campus experience that bridges marketing strategy and enrollment practice. As a first-generation college student, Lien understands the impact of accessible higher education, and she is currently touring campuses alongside her cousin as they navigate the college search together.

Krissy Dolor

Krissy Dolor is the Associate Director of Marketing & Recruiting for MIT Sloan’s Executive Degree Programs, where she leads strategy and execution across content, digital platforms, and candidate recruitment. With a background in project management, brand development, and multimedia storytelling, she brings over a decade of experience in higher education and mission-driven organizations, including Harvard. Krissy holds an M.A. in Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, and graduate certificates in Project Management and Organizational Behavior from the Harvard Extension School. She’s passionate about building compelling brands, inclusive communities, and meaningful student and alumni engagement.

Alanna Donahue

Alanna is a project manager at Michigan Creative, where she leads complex, cross-functional marketing initiatives that advance the University of Michigan’s brand and strategic goals. Her recent work includes the Vision 2034 campaign, the U-M PSA, and the award-winning Maize X Blue marketing summit. With over a decade of experience in agency and in-house roles, Alanna specializes in creative operations, stakeholder alignment, and campaign strategy. Prior to U-M, she served as lead account executive at RJ Conlin Marketing & Design. She holds a BA in advertising from the University of Colorado Boulder

Cathy Donovan

A former Assistant Dean of Communications at Rutgers Law, Cathy is Paskill’s marketing lead. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire and Rutgers University–Camden, she also hosts the podcast Innovating Enrollment Success. She is experiencing enrollment marketing firsthand as the parent of a high school senior in the midst of her college search, and has become highly proficient on Field Level for DIII volleyball.

Sagar Doshi

Sagar Doshi is a VP of Partner Success at CollegeVine, supporting institutions as they think through how to best deploy AI Agents on campus. Prior to CollegeVine, Sagar served as a Strategy & Operations Manager at Deloitte Consulting’s Higher Education practice. He has also previously worked at the Gates Foundation and Common App. Sagar received his MBA from University of California, Berkeley Haas and B.S. from University of Maryland, College Park.

Doug Edwards

Doug serves as a trusted partner and advisor to marketing leaders across the country, guiding them through their toughest brand-related challenges. He also leads a team of researchers and strategists who design and execute custom research approaches that reveal deep insights and inspire great creative work. He has done so for Little League International, Oregon State University, Carnegie Mellon University, Vanderbilt University, Washington University in St. Louis, and many others.

Kierra Emerson

Kierra Emerson, Graduate Marketing Engineer at Georgia State University, specializes in predictive analytics and digital strategy. She led the 2024 Google PMAX/CTV initiative, achieving a 3,416% long-term ROI and surpassing enrollment targets by 32%. Holding an M.S. in Business Intelligence and Digital Marketing, Kierra transforms complex data into actionable strategies for CMOs, aligning marketing with institutional goals. She is deeply committed to student success and empowering youth from her hometown, Detroit, MI, by introducing them to GenAI through hands-on, real-world applications.

Lauren Finch

Lauren Finch is the Senior Director of Integrated Marketing & Communications at Chicago State University (CSU), Illinois’s only four-year Predominantly Black Institution as designated by the U.S. Department of Education. She leads CSU’s brand strategy, advertising, and digital communications, working to attract and retain students through compelling and mission-driven storytelling. Her role spans internal and external communications, media relations, and digital platform oversight—including the university’s website, intranet, and social media—ensuring that messaging is both consistent and inclusive across all channels.

Lauren has deep experience across higher education, nonprofit, and corporate sectors, with a focus on creating clear, engaging narratives that elevate institutional visibility and impact. Prior to CSU, she led marketing efforts at DHR Global, AIA Chicago, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, and others. She also served as principal of Migration Marketing & PR. Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from The Ohio State University and a master’s in marketing from the University of Illinois Chicago. She currently serves on the board of Archi-treasures, a Chicago nonprofit blending community development and the arts.

Cheryl Fisher

Cheryl Fisher is a Brand Strategy Executive and Educator with 20+ years of experience at the intersection of education, technology, and media. She specializes in building future-facing brands, launching innovative products, and driving measurable growth. Cheryl has led rebrands and go-to-market strategies for global EdTech companies and teaches brand strategy, capstone, and brand management at NYU. Her work integrates generative AI, inclusive design, and student-centered thinking—both in the classroom and at scale. Passionate about helping institutions evolve, Cheryl drives innovation and inspires meaningful engagement, stronger brand equity, and long-term audience loyalty through her work.

Elissa Fontenot

Elissa Fontenot is the Executive Director of Digital and Content Marketing at Texas State University. She leads strategy across the university’s digital ecosystem—including social media, advertising, email, podcasting, and web platforms. Her work supports efforts across all areas from branding and content production to communications plans from emails to social media and digital advertising efforts. Elissa oversees flagship social media platforms and digital publications distributions such as Hillviews magazine and the TXST Newsroom. She also directs monthly digital education for staff and leads cross-platform storytelling initiatives that help advance the university’s brand, voice, and audience engagement across channels.

Chris Fortney

As a Business Development Strategist at Spark451, Chris is tasked with building strong relationships with our partners and helping them achieve their enrollment goals through innovative and exciting marketing strategies. His unique blend of creativity and strategic thinking enables him to deliver tailored solutions that impact audiences.

Before stepping into his current role, Chris served as an Art Director on Spark451’s design team, where he led the creation of award-winning marketing materials for a variety of institutions. This hands-on experience in design equips him with a deep understanding of how effective branding and creative execution can drive success.

Prior to joining Spark451, Chris was the Marketing Director at a boutique creative agency based in New York City, where he collaborated with executive-level clients to enhance their brands through meaningful creative strategies. This background allows him to bring a wealth of insight into both the creative and strategic aspects of marketing.

In his (limited) free time, he enjoys playing guitar and writing songs, hacking his way out of sand traps at the golf course, and chasing after his daughters.

Sarah Francomano

Sarah Francomano is a senior vice president and senior partner of FleishmanHillard in Boston. She draws on her previous career as a journalist to provide strategic counsel, media relations and communications support for clients in various sectors including higher education, sustainability, travel and professional services. She is also part of FH’s global media training team.
Francomano has worked with clients in higher education including Babson College, Syracuse University, Quinnipiac University, Elon University, Emory University, Colby College, and Carnegie Mellon University. She also worked in television news in Albany and Boston. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from SUNY Fredonia.

Paula French

Paula French, Director at Search Influence, is a search engine optimization and digital marketing expert specializing in higher education marketing and measurement. She has built a 15-year career helping institutions enhance their digital marketing strategies and is a sought-after contributor to industry publications and podcasts. Paula has worked with brands in and outside of education, including Tulane School of Professional Advancement, New Orleans Tourism, and Audubon Nature Institute.

Gillian Frew

Gillian Frew is an account director at RW Jones Agency with 10+ years in higher education communications. A former journalist, she develops media strategies and content plans that raise the visibility of colleges and universities nationwide. She advises senior leaders, crafts impactful pitches, and has secured placements in outlets like The New York Times, NPR, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. Before joining the agency, she led media relations, social media, and executive communications at Whitman College.

Matthew Gann

Dr. Matthew Gann is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Brand Strategy at the University of Denver, where he champions the university’s brand strategy and directs integrated marketing across all platforms. Previously, he held leadership positions at the Tennessee Board of Regents, Tennessee Tech University, and healthcare and agency sectors. He holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership with research focused on the marketing function in higher education and will complete his Ph.D. in Leadership in early 2026. A purpose-driven leader, Gann has led several professional and community organizations and mentored over 40 college-going students over two decades.

Lee Gardner

When I was on X, my profile tagline told visitors that I wrote about “the management of universities,” or something like that. That’s the zoomed-out view, and it was accurate but not always helpful. I cover how colleges operate in terms of their leadership and finances, how they manage change, and how the forces of change afoot in America today are reshaping the way they work. I’m especially interested in regional public universities and community colleges, the two arms of higher education in this country that serve the majority of its students but are often overlooked in media coverage.

I joined The Chronicle in 2012 and served as editor of the now-defunct Finance and Policy section. Two years later, my role in the newsroom shifted, and I went back to the best job there is — reporter. Prior to The Chronicle, I was editor in chief of the now-defunct Baltimore City Paper for a decade, and served in various roles at City Paper and other alt-weeklies for more than a decade before that.

While working as editor of City Paper, I finally earned a bachelor’s degree in English at Towson University. My own college career went in fits and starts, some avoidable and some not, and I’d like to think that gives me empathy with adult learners and others for whom college is not an easy four-years-and-done proposition. I’m originally from Southern Appalachia and am a first-generation college graduate. I live in Baltimore with my family and two old rescue dogs.

Graham Garner

Graham Garner is Founder & Principal of Apiarion, a higher education marketing consultancy. With extensive experience as a marketing leader at institutions including Stephen F. Austin State University, SUNY Morrisville, Wartburg College and ISU, Graham specializes in aligning internal systems with external strategies. He developed the Apiarion Hexagon framework to help institutions strengthen their marketing foundations before launching campaigns. Graham’s expertise spans enrollment strategy, brand development and organizational effectiveness. His practical approach combines strategic vision with implementable solutions to help higher education institutions improve marketing outcomes through inside-out transformation. Graham earned a BA and MPA from Idaho State University.

Valerie Gauna

Valerie Onsurez Gauna, MBA, PMP, currently serves as the Director of Outreach & Engagement and Professor of Business at New Mexico Junior College, having held various roles including Scholarship & Marketing Specialist and Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness. Valerie also serves as the creator of the New Mexico Junior College S.T.E.A.M. Enrichment Program (NSEP); which in partnership with Chevron and McGary Regan as sponsors, promotes STEAM programs, college preparedness, and exposure to different fields to the Lea County and surrounding area students. With extensive experience in project management and human resources, Valerie previously worked at Option, Inc. as a Facilitator for a non-profit women’s shelter, and gained project support expertise at Enrichment Technology, U.S. as an Executive Assistant to the Project Manager. Currently, Valerie serves as the Past-Chair for the Recent Alumni Board for the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University, MyPower, Inc. Board President, Option, Inc. Board member, Veteto Foundation Board member, Girl Scouts of America Board member, United Way of Lea County Allocations Committee member, NMJC Foundation Scholarship Committee Chair, Maddox Leadership Institute graduate, Cohort 1. Valerie’s early career included mentoring first-generation college students at Upward Bound and coordinating HR benefits at NOR-LEA Hospital District. As an intern at Marie Curie Cancer Care in the United Kingdom, Valerie focused on fundraising strategies. Educational credentials include an MBA from Texas Tech University, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Texas Tech University, graduating Cum Laude, alongside an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from New Mexico Junior College, graduating with Honors.

Matt Gerien

Matt Gerien is a communications and marketing strategist with deep experience in executive communications, issues management, and public affairs. He advises college and university leaders on strategic communications at Carnegie and previously served as Chief Communications Officer at Rhodes College, where he was a member of the president’s senior leadership team. At Rhodes, he led the college through a brand refresh, strategic plan rollout, and public relations campaigns recognized by PRSA. A former journalist and Congressional communications director, Matt holds degrees from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School and Union College, where he served as a student trustee.

Stephanie Geyer

Stephanie Geyer is the associate vice president of marketing and brand strategy at the University of Montana where she oversees a team delivering progressive and innovative recruitment marketing and brand experiences. A 35-year veteran of the higher education marketing community, she has supported more than 600 campuses around the world to support digital, research and strategic initiatives as a consultant or campus staffer and served as CMO and consultant for several leading ed tech firms. Devoted to the development of new leaders for our community, she welcomes new connections via LinkedIn.

Andrea Gils

Andrea Gils Monzón Marketing and Communications Strategy Lead University of Kentucky, College of Medicine

Andrea Gils is an award-winning marketing strategist, international speaker, and founder of Shiftmakers Consulting, a consultancy helping higher ed and mission-driven organizations grow through marketing communications strategy and AI-powered, data-driven systems. She has over a decade of experience leading digital transformation and strategy across 15+ industries, with high-impact work for brands including the University of Kentucky, Dalton State College, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the State of Georgia.

Andrea specializes in bridging creative and technical teams to deliver scalable, sustainable marketing operations. A Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) National Board member and former National DEI Chair, she brings a global, inclusive perspective and a systems-driven approach to solving complex marketing challenges Andrea specializes in bridging creative and technical teams to deliver scalable, sustainable marketing operations. A PRSA National Board member and former DEI Chair, she brings a global, inclusive perspective and a systems-driven approach to solving complex marketing challenges.

Nick Giyani

Nick Gyani currently leads Higher Ed sales for Canva. Originally from New York City, he is currently based in Austin, Texas. He has been with Canva for about 5 years and was one of the founding members of the Canva Enterprise team back in 2020. His background is in a wide range of industries, but for the past 9 years, he has been focused on driving growth in high performing SAAS companies. Nick is passionate about empowering educators and students through visual communication. Outside of work, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 year old daughter, trying new restaurants in the Austin food scene, and playing golf.

Joel Goodman

Joel has been working in higher education web marketing since 2007, culminating in a 13-year run as founder and owner of Bravery Media. Since then, his work hascentered around digital strategy and transformation. Now, he brings his nearly 20years of experience to Squiz as Vice President of Growth Strategy for AMER and
EMEA.

A generalist in the truest sense, he holds a Master of Arts in Media Studies from The New School for Public Engagement, where his academic focus centred around digital culture creation and transnational media events. He hosts several podcasts,
designs and builds websites, and regularly speaks on digital strategy topics at events around the world.

Sue Greenberg

Susan H. Greenberg is the managing editor of Inside Higher Ed, where she oversees the newsroom’s daily coverage of the people, policies and issues shaping postsecondary education. She joined IHE as a senior editor in 2021. Prior to that, she spent 20 years as a writer and editor at Newsweek magazine, where she covered everything from foreign affairs to arts and culture. Her essays and reportage have also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and the Atlantic, among other publications. In addition, Sue has taught English and journalism at Phillips Academy, Middlebury College and Champlain College in Vermont.

Melissa Greiner

With over two decades of experience in marketing and communications, Melissa Greiner is the Vice President of Marketing at CampusESP, where she helps colleges engage families to drive enrollment, retention, and giving. Prior to joining CampusESP, Melissa led marketing at WizeHive, directing content strategy, inbound campaigns, and digital initiatives. Her career spans editorial leadership at Family Focus Media, consulting for major healthcare brands, and serving as a senior copywriter at Independence Blue Cross. Known for her strategic mindset and creative execution, Melissa specializes in lifecycle marketing, brand storytelling, and building high-performing teams across the higher ed and tech sectors.

Staci Grimes

Staci Grimes has spent more than two decades in higher education with experience in information technology and marketing, and she joined the Gettysburg College Communication and Marketing team in 2022 to oversee strategy for both organic and paid digital marketing efforts for the College. Staci’s membership and certifications through AMA and the Digital Marketing Institute help her keep her skills relevant. A passion for building community is at the heart of Staci’s work.

Liz Gross

Liz Gross is the founder and CEO of Campus Sonar, which partners with higher education focused leadership teams to guide research-led transformation grounded in social intelligence. She is an award-winning speaker, author, and strategist with 20 years’ experience in higher ed and strategic social listening programs. She received a Ph.D. in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service in Higher Education at Cardinal Stritch University, a master’s degree in educational policy and leadership from Marquette University, and a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communication from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Rebecka Hall

Rebecka is the Director of Web Innovation & Strategy at Old Dominion University’s Division of Digital Transformation & Technology, leading digital innovation and strategy for the ODUGlobal website.

She holds a B.F.A. from ODU and is pursuing an MBA. As an alumna, employee, student, and community member, she treasures ODU’s impact on her life. As a past chair and current member of ODU’s Women in Technology + Allies Committee, she is committed to diversity and inclusion.

As a speaker, Rebecka presents on academic program pages, web design, and digital leadership, sharing insights on enhancing the student experience through digital strategy.

Heidi Halseth

Heidi combines her research expertise with a collaborative approach to deliver meaningful insights and results. With over a decade of experience in the higher education and nonprofit sectors, Heidi has a deep understanding of Gen Z audiences and their influencers. Heidi is a mixed methods researcher; however, as a RIVA-trained focus group moderator, she specializes in qualitative research methods, including designing and conducting in-depth interviews and focus groups, as well as thematic and narrative analysis. She holds a B.A. in management and media advertising from Michigan State University, with a specialization in public relations.

Matt Hartley

Matt Hartley is the Assistant Director of Digital Marketing for Graduate & Professional Studies at American University, where he leads marketing strategy for all eight graduate schools—overseeing paid media efforts, analyzing enrollment data to guide digital strategy, and developing lower-funnel campaigns that move prospective students through the enrollment pipeline. With over two decades of experience spanning higher education, retail, and marketing, Matt brings a data-driven, analytical approach to brand development and campaign management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Advertising Communications from Johnson & Wales University, graduating cum laude.

Binti Harvey

Binti joined Scripps in June 2014 from Caltech, where she served as director of institute marketing. Previously she held communications and management positions with the Pasadena and Los Angeles school districts, the cities of Southgate and LA. Her major responsibility areas include public relations, media relations, print and digital communications, and events, toward extending the college’s external reach and influence.

Marjorie Hass

Dr. Marjorie Hass is President of the Council of Independent Colleges, a national leadership organization representing private colleges and universities. A philosopher by training, Dr. Hass has served as president of both Rhodes College and Austin College, where she earned a national reputation for her leadership on mission alignment, presidential voice, and higher education’s public value. During her presidency at Rhodes, she partnered with her chief communications officer to enhance presidential visibility, thought leadership, and strategic communications. Dr. Hass writes and speaks frequently on institutional leadership, civic trust, and the evolving role of college presidents.

Shiro Hatori

Shiro is the host of the Higher Ed Demand Gen podcast and is passionate about adding value to the higher ed marketing community. He and his team recently published their first-ever Higher Ed Marketing Salary Report, and he is eager to promote the findings to the public.

Brendan Henkel

Brendan Henkel is the Assistant Vice President of Solutions Engineering at Element451, where he leads the strategic alignment of the platform’s capabilities with the real-world needs of institutions. With a deep understanding of AI, enrollment tech, and student engagement, Brendan works closely with partners to design tailored, outcome-driven solutions that simplify complexity and drive measurable impact.

He’s known for translating technical possibilities into practical applications, helping stakeholders see exactly how Element451 can integrate with their systems to improve enrollment outcomes and student experiences. Brendan’s collaborative, consultative approach ensures every partner not only understands the platform’s potential—but sees a clear path to realizing it.

Erin Hennessy

Grant J. Heston

Grant is the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer and vice president for Enterprise Marketing and Communications for Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Health. Arriving in 2021, Grant built the first integrated branding, communications and marketing division that serves both the university and health system. To his great surprise, the American Marketing Association named Grant its higher ed “National Marketer of the Year” for 2024-25. He has an undergraduate degree in Journalism from the University of Florida and an MBA from the University of Central Florida.

Holly Hill

As Senior Director of Marketing, Communication, and Brand Strategy at Flagler College, I lead efforts to enhance the College’s visibility and reputation across key audiences. With over four years in this role, I’ve implemented brand strategies across traditional and digital platforms, increasing awareness and engagement among prospective students, parents, donors, and community partners. I also serve as an Adjunct Professor, sharing industry knowledge with future leaders. I hold a BA in Business Administration from Flagler College and an MBA in e-business Strategy from the University of North Florida. My strengths include leadership, strategic communication, content marketing, and team development.

Hellen Hom-Diamond

Hellen Hom-Diamond was appointed the vice president for strategic marketing and communications of Trinity College in January 2022. Hellen oversees the Communications and Marketing Office and the College’s integrated strategic marketing and communications plan. She served as co-chair of both Trinity’s Bicentennial Celebration and Presidential Inauguration Committees.

For more than 25 years, Hellen has led educational marketing and communications teams. Prior to Trinity, Hellen was the chief communications officer at Sidwell Friends School and at The Hotchkiss School, with responsibilities for integrated digital and social media strategies, branding and DNA messaging, CASE award-winning magazines, the alignment of Advancement and Admissions communications, crisis communications, and media relations.

The majority of her career was spent at Yale University and UCLA. As the director of campus communications in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications at Yale University, Hellen worked to align internal and campus communications by launching the news website, YaleNews, and through effective campus partnerships. As the director of online communications at the UCLA Alumni Association, she created digital strategies to engage more than 300,000 living alumni globally at the third largest alumni association in the country.

Hellen presented at the 2024 AMA Conference and served as a Communications and Marketing Commisser for the Council for the Support and Advancement of Education (CASE) from 2020 to 2022. She holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Columbia University.

Aimee Hosemann

Aimee Hosemann, Ph.D., is director of qualitative research at RHB, A Division of Strata Information Group. An anthropologist trained in studying the relationships of language, culture and identity in contexts including higher ed, Aimee works across creative and research projects, organizational assessment and executive and DEIB counsel. She is co-author of the 2021 book What Makes a Strategic Plan ‘Strategic’?, co-editor of Inside Higher Ed’s Call to Action blog,and a member of SCUP’s (Society for College and University Planning) 2024-25 Emerging Leaders cohort. She was faculty at four institutions, most recently at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Katie Hoye

Katie Hoye is the Data Solutions Analyst and Data Architect for MIT Executive Degree Programs (EDP) at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. In addition to spearheading department initiatives in data analytics and governance, Katie also leads the management, operation, and administration of EDP’s Salesforce platforms and various native/third-party integrations. Katie enjoys finding innovative ways to analyze data to address complex problems that improve organizational processes and culture. Katie holds a Ph.D. from Baylor University, where her dissertation focused on the macro-micro interactions where university policy, organizational behavior, and individual agency intersect.

Vera Hübner

Vera Hübner joined Frankfurt School as Head of Executive Education in 2021, after an 18-year career in media sales in the UK and Germany. Since 2023 Vera has overseen the sales and marketing activities of the school, together with her super-motivated and very competent team of sales and marketing specialists. By aligning sales and marketing the team provides a revenue-focused foundation for the school. Working at the intersection between education, marketing and tech enables Vera to indulge her passions: leadership, lifelong learning, sales and digital transformation. Vera is keen to seek meaningful exchanges on all levels, for growth and inspiration.

Chris Huebner

As SimpsonScarborough’s Director of Media, Chris brings strategic rigor to the intersection of media and brand communications, uncovering the perfect blends of media, moments, and message. Chris has worked in higher ed marketing both agency and institution-side, where he has planned and executed comprehensive marketing and recruitment strategies across multiple program types and institutions. His work has been published in the Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing, the Journal of Digital and Social Media, and the Journal of Brand Strategy.

Dave Hunt

Dave Hunt is the executive creative director for Old Dominion University’s Division of Digital Transformation and Technology. He oversees a team responsible for the creative expression of the ODUGlobal brand, as well as digital marketing, content marketing, and social media in support of student recruitment. He previously serviced as the director of strategic digital marketing at Miami University, graphic design manager and art director for the Wake Forest School of Business, and director of communications for the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. This summer he hosted an Enrollify podcast miniseries on leading creatives through the AI revolution.

Jaime Hunt

Transformation has been a hallmark of Jaime Hunt’s career. After a 20-year career in higher education, including nine years as a chief marketing officer, Jaime launched Solve Higher Ed Marketing in 2024. To this consultancy, Jaime brings a passion for building brands, telling stories, and leading with empathy. She is also the host of the Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO podcast on the Enrollify network and the author of Heart Over Hype: Transforming Higher Ed Marketing with Empathy.

Jasmine Hunter

Jasmine D. Hunter is a communications strategist, higher education leader, and storyteller who believes the right message can move both hearts and institutions. With more than a decade of experience leading brand storytelling and strategic communications in higher education, Jasmine brings a powerful blend of authenticity, innovation, and legacy-driven purpose to every project she touches.

As Director of Communications for the University of South Carolina’s Division of Human Resources, Jasmine leads brand stewardship and internal engagement initiatives that amplify institutional culture, strengthen collaboration, and drive strategic transformation. Her career spans roles at Alabama State University, Southern University System, and Girl Scouts Louisiana East, where she helped legacy institutions modernize their brands and tell their stories in ways that resonate today. From leading a full-scale rebrand and crisis communications strategy to developing thought leadership pieces that positioned executives as change agents, Jasmine’s work consistently bridges tradition and innovation — proving that storytelling isn’t just about what you say, but how you make people feel.

Currently pursuing her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership at Maryville University, Jasmine’s research examines how communications professionals shape institutional identity and belonging through digital storytelling. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Alabama State University and a Master of Science in Strategic Communications from Troy University.

She’s an active member of the Public Relations Society of America, the American Marketing Association, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., where she continues to give back to the communities and stories that have shaped her.

Claudia Jacobs

Claudia is an ‘elder’ Gen Z passionate about shaping the student experience both before and after students arrive on campus. Beginning her career during the pandemic, Claudia saw firsthand the power of virtual engagement and personalized messaging to meet students where they are. She has spent the last four years introducing hundreds of colleges and universities to ZeeMee, the top student engagement and insights platform, so they can scale authentic, personalized connections with prospective students. With her dual perspective as both a practitioner and a member of Gen Z, Claudia offers timely insights into the trends shaping higher education.

Josh Jensen

Josh Jensen is vice president for communications at Oberlin College and Conservatory, having served in this role since 2021. In this role, Josh leads marketing and communications efforts for Oberlin. Previously, Josh was vice president for enrollment and communications at Whitman College, and has also served in marketing and communications roles at Connecticut College and Boston College.

Josh has a PhD in higher education from Boston College, where he studied market-driven innovation in colleges. Josh also holds an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, and a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Hartford.

Heather Johns

Heather Johns joined Smith College in August 2025 as Vice President for Communications & Marketing, where she leads a talented team responsible for brand strategy, content development, digital platforms, media relations, design services, strategic communications, and the award-winning Smith Quarterly. She was previously Vice President for Marketing & Communications at Bucknell University from 2020-2025, and has worked in higher ed communications for 17 years.

Candace Johnson

As a seasoned marketing and communications leader, Candace specializes in brand strategy and creating space for diverse cultures and underrepresented voices within the vast marketplace. Her work exemplifies a commitment to storytelling and elevating brand identity, culture, reputation, and accessibility. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Office for Marketing and Communications at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), where she leads an award-winning team of higher education professionals whose dedication and ingenuity continue to break barriers.

Nicole Bouknight Johnson

Nicole Bouknight Johnson serves as the Vice President for Advancement and Communications and Executive Director of the Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Foundation in New Jersey. With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of fundraising, strategic planning, and inclusive leadership, Nicole is a results-driven executive focused on advancing institutional goals while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. At HCCC, she leads cross-functional teams and external partnerships to strengthen the college’s philanthropic impact, elevate its brand presence, and drive social and economic mobility for students.

Nicole is recognized for her ability to align DEI priorities with organizational strategy, workforce development, and talent value propositions. She has implemented high-impact initiatives that support sustainable cultural transformation and stakeholder engagement across sectors. Her background includes leadership in community engagement, change management, and communications, underpinned by strong technical fluency in tools such as Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, and DonorSearch. A trusted advisor to senior leadership, Nicole brings a collaborative, systems-thinking approach to evolving institutional storytelling and advancing inclusive excellence in complex educational environments.

Ann Johnston

For more than 25 years, Ann has led Central States Marketing as President, building the agency into a trusted partner for clients across healthcare, higher education, and beyond. With 30+ years in marketing communications, she brings a rare blend of strategic vision and hands-on leadership. Ann is known for her ability to unify teams around bold, integrated strategies that drive measurable results. From launching start-ups to guiding Fortune 500 companies, she has steered organizations through transformative growth by elevating the customer, client, and patient journey. A relentless advocate for strong communication concepts, Ann continues to push the boundaries of innovation—helping institutions navigate today’s fast-evolving marketing landscape with clarity and impact.

Emma Jones

With more than 20 years of experience working with colleges, universities, and associations, Emma designs unique leadership experiences underpinned by her strengths in strategy and storytelling. Emma guides national partnerships to build higher education leadership benches for the future, supporting and developing presidents and senior-level leaders across the sector. She is an advocate for empowering women and gender-diverse leaders and for changing the prevailing narratives about higher education by inspiring innovation.

Lisa Jordan

Torin Keefer

Torin is a visionary search leader guiding SEO, SEM, CRO, and content strategy at Paskill. For seven years, he’s created optimized, student-centered digital experiences that drive measurable enrollment growth for clients. Spearheading evolutions in SEO and AI Search, Torin educates colleagues and clients on the power of search visibility. As a first-gen college student, his own higher-ed search journey led him to Wilkes University after graduating from a high school class of less than 60 students—fueling his passion for connecting institutions with right-fit students.

Carol Keese

Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

Ariana Keil

Ariana Keil is Sr Growth Marketing Manager at Canto, a leading Digital Asset Management and Product Information Management software company. With over 10 years of experience in both B2B sales and marketing at finance, agency, and software companies, she has an appreciation for GTM strategies that holistically target the entire buyer’s journey, and a passion for sales and marketing department collaboration. Always in search of a cogent narrative surrounding business challenges, she brings a storyteller’s viewpoint to contextualizing product led solutions.

Dayana Kibilds

Day is vice president of strategy at Ologie, the marketing and branding agency for education. For over a decade, Day has been leading innovative marketing work with universities worldwide, pushing institutions to use their communications as tools for equity and access. She is an international keynote speaker on enrollment marketing, email strategy, productivity, and stakeholder management. Day hosts Enrollify’s Talking Tactics podcast, and co-authored Mailed It!: A Guide to Crafting Emails that Build Relationships and Get Results.

Adrienne King

Dr. Adrienne King joined the University of North Carolina as the inaugural Associate Vice Chancellor for Marketing in 2025. She is responsible for developing and implementing the university’s marketing strategy to support the institution’s strategic goals, focusing on delivering a unified, brand experience fueled by research, data, and integrated marketing communications.She received her doctorate in higher education administration and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University, after earning bachelor’s degrees in graphic design and public relations from Marietta College. She also is a graduate of the 2018 Leadership America executive program and a 2021-22 American Council of Education Fellow.

Andrew Klotz

Andrew Klotz is the Co-Founder and CEO of Circuit Virtual Tours, a leading visit experience platform used by over 100 campuses to engage prospective students through on-demand tours, interactive maps, and self-guided virtual experiences.

Since the first launch in 2019, the Circuit Team has helped institutions like Texas A&M, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and UC Irvine reimagine how students explore and connect with campus life. Under his leadership, Circuit has grown into a best-in-class higher-ed technology platform known for its student-centred user experience, forward-thinking innovation, lasting customer partnerships, and measurable impact on the enrollment journey.

Jackie Kolek

As Managing Director and Co-President at Peppercomm Jackie is responsible for identifying challenges and opportunities facing her clients and developing new solutions and services to help them mitigate risks and capitalize on changes to drive their business forward. Jackie leads Team Meridian, a specialty issues and crisis management SWAT team that helps clients plan, prepare and manage a myriad of issues. She has worked with many higher education institutions on their civic engagement strategies, issues management processes and messaging and responses to federal policy changes facing colleges and universities. Additionally, she works with institutions to help them define and articulate their unique values and increase their brand proposition across multiple stakeholder groups. Jackie is a frequent speaker and contributor and was named as of one PR News 2022 Top Women in PR.

Giselle Kowalski

Giselle Kowalski is the Digital Content Producer for Texas State University’s Division of Marketing and Communications. She leads strategy and execution for the university’s Admissions social media platforms, serving as the primary voice for prospective student engagement. Giselle is the creator of the Try at TXST video series, which has since expanded into a podcast—both of which spotlight campus life through curiosity-driven, student-led storytelling. She also produces and hosts for the TXST Podcast Network and serves as creative director for video content across platforms. Her work blends strategy, storytelling, and student voice to strengthen digital engagement and belonging.

Noah Kramer

Noah’s love of visual communication started with traditional drawing and painting. He received a degree in illustration from Laguna College of Art + Design before working as a web designer. Noah has been at KWALL since 2015. He’s involved in many parts of a project’s lifecycle, from research to art direction and visual design. His main interest is developing design systems that put users first by integrating research and technical knowledge. Noah also specializes in accessibility and inclusive design.

Andrea Kruszka

Maria Kuntz

Maria is a dynamic and growth-focused marketing and communications leader with extensive experience leading award-winning teams, managing complex projects, and transforming creative strategies. She believes unleashing individual strengths leads to dynamic team performance. She has over 15 years of experience in inclusive communications and marketing within higher education and non-profit organizations, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in higher education leadership. She was a Fulbright Fellow in Greece from 2006 to 2007.

Whitney Larimer

As the daughter of two high school principals, it’s no surprise that Whitney built her career in education. She’s passionate about student success and helping colleges make deep connections with their students. Whitney’s a true expert in higher education, coming to Mighty Citizen with 19 years of experience consulting institutions. If you can name it, she’s done it (seriously). Now, Whitney brings her passion and expertise to the table as our Senior Partnerships Manager for Higher Education. As a self-taught planner, Whitney loves to organize schedules, weddings, fundraisers, and other events. On the off chance she isn’t planning, she keeps her eyes peeled for recipes and crafts to make on the weekends, outside of traveling for her daughter’s softball tournaments! Speaking of traveling, can you believe Whitney’s been to 49 out of the 50 states?

Gene Lewis

Gene began his career in digital marketing when the blink tag was still popular. His fascination with the experiments and puzzles of the early web bloomed into an obsession with digital media. It’s a focus that is fundamentally driven by his love of technology, a passion for clarity in communication and the power of engagement. Gene is a founding partner of Digital Pulp and now leads the agency’s creative force – and is celebrated as a thought leader by his peers in the industry. Gene studied English at Vassar College, and emphatically insists that there aren’t two spaces after a period. Dedicated to learning his client’s professional language and adapting to their needs, he balances concerns of marketing, design, branding, technology and content to communicate with precision and transform ideas into experiential realities.

Kate Linkous

Kate Linkous specializes in issues management and messaging for clients in the higher education and corporate sectors. She has supported Stanford University, Wake Forest University, Smith College, Penn State University, University of Southern California, University of Notre Dame, Michigan State University, Indiana University, Dartmouth College, Oregon State University, University of Virginia, and Clemson University, among other clients. She has also worked with a number of college preparatory schools throughout the Northeast on issues of reputation management.

Pete Mackey

During Pete’s time as Lafayette College’s Interim VP for Communications & Marketing (2022-24), Pete and Scott not only led institutional communications through numerous crises but also, having secured buy-in from the board and president, transformed the structure, practices, and protocols of the college’s approach to crisis management.

Across his 35-year career, Pete has served as top communications officer and lead crisis communications director for numerous institutions, from large public universities to top liberal arts colleges, from a European science foundation to a 25,000-member U.S. professional association. He has taught national seminars on crisis management and led creative and strategy work with more than 60 institutions on re-branding, campaign communications, team audits, and more.

Cynthia Martinez

Cynthia Martínez is the Senior Director of Brand Marketing at the University of Maryland, where she protects and elevates one of the nation’s top research institutions. Since joining the Office of Marketing and Communications in 2016, she has led the strategy, creative development, and execution of university-wide promotional campaigns that position Maryland as a leader in higher education. She also oversees Maryland Day, the university’s signature grassroots event that draws 68,000 visitors to campus each year.

Prior to Maryland, Cynthia directed marketing for 12 Telemundo affiliates at ZGS Communications. She previously worked at Cox Media Group and GFR Media, bringing a multicultural media perspective to higher education marketing. She holds a B.A. in Radio and Television from the University of Central Florida and an MBA from the University of Baltimore.

Joe Master

As Senior Vice President of Brand Management for Carnegie, Joe Master partners with institutions to build brands that resonate with emotion and authenticity. Prior to his agency work, Joe spent 13 years leading marketing and communications teams at two large Philadelphia universities—Temple University and Drexel University. Joe served as Assistant Vice President of Marketing & Digital Strategy for Drexel University on the in-house team responsible for executing the award-winning Ambition Can’t Wait national brand awareness campaign. His work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, television commercials, and on digital screens across the nation.

Becca Matyasovsky

Becca Matyasovsky is a Director of Paid Media at Zero Gravity Marketing, where she leads the programmatic team. With a deep understanding of the digital landscape, she is responsible for overseeing the entire programmatic process, from campaign planning and execution to optimization and performance analysis. With expertise in various DSPs, inventory curation, and data partnerships, she ensures that clients stay ahead in the evolving programmatic landscape. Her strategic approach ensures that clients’ marketing dollars are working harder and smarter by reaching the right user at the right time.

Anna McBrayer

Jennifer McCarrel

Jennifer McCarrel is the chief communications and marketing officer at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. McCarrel, a seasoned communications professional, brings more than 14 years of marketing and communications experience in the public sector, mainly in higher education. She has a proven track record in crisis communications, content creation, public and media relations, brand development, social and digital media, and integrated marketing. Before joining UNCP, she served as executive director of marketing and communication at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Erin McCloskey

Erin E. McCloskey is Vice President for Communications & Marketing at Saint Francis University, with over 25 years of progressive experience in enrollment strategy, marketing, and institutional leadership. She has a proven track record of advancing mission-driven goals through innovative partnerships, data-informed decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration. A well-regarded speaker known with experience presenting at regional and national events, Erin is known for her entrepreneurial approach, strong stakeholder engagement, and strategic oversight of brand identity and communications. As importantly, Erin is known for leading with empathy and a servant-leadership approach to change management.

Will McGinnis

Will McGinnis serves as VP of Brand Growth for fullthrottle.ai®. He has nearly 20 years of sales leadership expertise and over a decade of SaaS experience in the AdTech space across many Industry verticals. Most recently, Will has spent the last three years building off his time at Meta and Fluency to build fullthrottle.ai’s footprint in the AdTech space. A techie at heart, he is usually plugged in and is always focused on meeting our clients’ goals through successful partnerships and industry vertical expertise. When he’s not working, Will spends time with his son, Fin. He likes to run—a lot. He has run six marathons in the last three years. He also will play pick-up basketball with anyone who asks!

Jose Mendoza

Dr. Jose Mendoza is Academic Director and Clinical Associate Professor at NYU’s School of Professional Studies, where he leads one of the nation’s largest graduate marketing programs. With 20+ years of global experience with global brands, he specializes in AI-driven marketing, pricing strategy, business analytics, and consumer behavior. Dr. Mendoza has launched pioneering programs in digital and retail innovation and has presented at leading conferences across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. His current research explores how artificial intelligence transforms marketing decision-making and value creation, bridging industry expertise with data-forward academic leadership.

Char Miller

Char Miller is the W.M. Keck Professor of Environmental Analysis and History at Pomona College. His work explores environmental policy, U.S. history, and urban development, with a focus on wildfires, water, and public lands in the American West. An award-winning author and environmental justice advocate, his recent books include Burn Scars and Natural Consequences. He is a senior fellow at the Pinchot Institute for Conservation and a consulting historian for museums and documentaries, advancing public understanding of environmental issues.

Jason Miller

Jason is a higher education marketer with over a decade of experience in brand strategy, multi-channel marketing, data analytics, and student recruitment. He has focused his career on discovering actionable insights to drive transformational marketing. He currently leads digital marketing efforts as the Associate Director of Digital Marketing at Lewis University where he focusses on increasing enrollment and growing the digital presence of the University. Prior to higher education, Jason worked in government for the United States Senate.

Tina Miller

Tina Miller is the Executive Director of Creative x Communications at Arizona State University’s Enterprise Technology division. With nearly three decades of experience across higher education, Fortune 500 companies, and nonprofits, she leads transformative initiatives that merge innovation, storytelling, and AI. Tina founded the AI Beacon Network, a national community of higher ed marketers advancing responsible AI integration. Known for her candid, energizing speaking style, she brings humor and humanity to complex topics. Tina holds a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.

Megan Nash Milligan

Megan is the Brand Marketing Strategist at LMU, where she leads integrated marketing planning and cross-functional rollout of key brand initiatives. A proud LMU alum, she earned her M.A. in Educational Studies while competing as a beach volleyball student-athlete & leading the team to their first conference championship. Before returning to LMU, Megan managed marketing and operations in the real estate industry, overseeing full-scale campaigns and a company rebrand. Originally from Toronto, Megan now calls Los Angeles home—where she tries new food across the city, plays beach volleyball, and spends too much time with her two dogs!

Alex Minot

As Education Lead at Snapchat, Alex partners with colleges, universities, and career schools to connect with Gen Z and Millennial audiences through full-funnel media strategies that drive enrollment, engagement, and impact. He helps institutions modernize their marketing with data-driven insights and authentic creative that inspire meaningful connections. Before joining Snapchat, Alex held roles at Reddit, Facebook, and Google, where he guided clients across industries in building effective digital marketing strategies.

Maya Minter

Maya Matthews Minter is Publisher at Cox, Matthews & Associates, Inc. (CMA), a Washington, D.C.-area firm specializing in publishing, multimedia, training, and consulting. As an executive leader, she oversees editorial development, business strategy, and growth planning for The EDU Ledger (formerly Diverse: Issues In Higher Education), CMA’s award-winning national news magazine serving higher education since 1984. A former Fulbright Fellow, she has held roles at A.T. Kearney and IBM. She joined CMA in 2002 and continues the legacy of her father, Frank L. Matthews, and his late partner, William E. Cox Sr., co-founders of the company.

Brian Mitchell

Brian Mitchell is the General Manager of the Education vertical at U.S. News & World Report, where he oversees the company’s wide portfolio of education businesses, including their rankings franchises; advertising, enrollment marketing and data solutions for colleges; and subsidiaries like CollegeAdvisor.com, TeenLife and Sups.ai. Brian previously founded CollegeAdvisor and still serves as its Vice President, helping grow it into a leading online college consulting platform that has supported over 10,000 clients across the U.S. and more than 100 countries worldwide. Brian is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce, where he studied Finance and Analytics and earned Distinction as a Jefferson and Echols Scholar.

Blyth Morrel

Blyth Morrell is a seasoned brand and marketing leader with over 25 years of experience shaping Duke University’s digital and brand strategy. As Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy, she oversees digital experience, brand positioning, multimedia communications, and emerging technologies, ensuring alignment with Duke’s institutional goals. With a background in technology and creative direction, Blyth blends analytical precision with bold creativity. Her expertise spans digital strategy, media alignment, operational execution, and team leadership, driving cohesive storytelling and lasting impact for Duke.

Michael Morris

Mike is a director at The Ward Group, a retained executive search firm that specializes functionally in marketing and communications leadership roles. He has focused primarily in the firm’s higher education portfolio. Working with presidents and search committees, from public research universities to liberal arts colleges and beyond, Mike brings a breadth of experience and insight to institutional partners across the country.

Previously, Mike spent over a decade in higher education, namely college athletics recruiting and operations, working at institutions such as Boston College, Harvard University, and Dartmouth College. In both college athletics and executive search, success is “all about the people.”

Mike’s additional experience at TWG includes recruiting marketing and communications leaders for clients nationwide in categories like healthcare, financial services, and health tech.

Scott Morse

With more than 34 years of expansive leadership experience in higher education communications, Scott’s responsibilities have included crisis communications and crisis management support for the past decade. His career began in athletic communications and evolved to central communications support across Lafayette’s campus, including a brief stint as Acting VP for Communications & Marketing following Pete’s tenure. He helps oversee a team of 24 and provides leadership in areas such as media relations, executive communications strategy, licensing, broadcasting, and major events.

Caitlin Moynihan

Caitlin K. Moynihan is a Vice President at Yes& Lipman Hearne, where she leads research across higher education, government, nonprofit, and commercial sectors. With over 15 years of experience in mixed-methods research, she specializes in uncovering insights that shape strategy, drive behavior, and elevate brand impact. A throughline of her career has been studying the future plans, values, and decision-making of high school students and young adults. Caitlin holds a B.A. in International Affairs and an MPH in Health Communication and Marketing from The George Washington University.

Jake Myers

Jake Myers is the Senior Vice President of Brand Partnerships at Atmosphere TV, where he leads advertising strategy and helps brands connect with audiences in meaningful, measurable ways.

In addition to his role scaling a high-growth billion-dollar startup, Jake also serves as an adjunct professor and frequent keynote speaker, bringing practical insights on marketing, audience engagement, and innovation to both academic and professional settings.

With expertise in advertising technology, consumer behavior, and digital media, he focuses on solutions that drive both creativity and results. He regularly partners with higher education institutions to explore how media can support enrollment, brand awareness, and community connection in an evolving marketing landscape.

Andrew Nelson

Andrew Nelson is the President of Silverback Strategies, a performance marketing agency with deep experience across the education landscape—including traditional higher ed, online degree programs, certificate and credentialing platforms, workforce training providers, and education technology companies. He helps clients navigate change, hit growth goals, and build marketing reports that resonate with stakeholders—from department leaders to board members. With over 15 years of experience, Andrew brings a practical, data-informed perspective to modern marketing. He has spoken at several educational institutions and industry conferences, and serves on the advisory board for the School of Marketing at James Madison University.

Kate Neuhaus

Kate Neuhaus is the Director of Content Strategy at Creighton University, where she leads a team focused on integrated storytelling across schools, colleges and platforms. Her team supports university-wide content planning, editorial strategy and brand alignment.

Before Creighton, Kate worked in agency and corporate roles across industries, developing content strategies and managing production across writing, video, social media and web. She focuses on making sure content works across channels and fits seamlessly within larger campaigns, no matter the platform.

Kristin Nichols

Kristin Nichols serves as Chief Marketing Officer at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, bringing more than 20 years of experience in higher education marketing. She has held leadership roles at several top-tier institutions across the Northeast, where she has made a lasting impact through her expertise in market research, brand development, digital strategy, and enrollment marketing.

Michelle Nugent

With extensive experience in paid media strategy, Michelle serves as the Chief Optimization Officer at MetricsEdge, a performance marketing agency specializing in digital media, analytics, and SEO. With over a decade of experience working with higher education clients, she shapes digital strategy and oversees campaign execution for clients, drawing on deep expertise in performance media and audience targeting. A proud University of Arizona graduate, she now guides media strategy for her alma mater with passion and dedication to meaningful outcomes.

Lindsay Nyquist

Youth development and education have been a throughline of Lindsay Nyquist’s professional and volunteer career since 2000, and she’s passionate about the power of education and outdoor experiences to change the lives of youth and young adults. She has held a variety of roles in marketing, strategy, and teaching at three different liberal arts institutions: Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado; University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington; and presently at Occidental College in Los Angeles, where she holds the role of Chief of Staff. She has volunteered as a board member with A Thousand Summers and United Way of Southwest Colorado, served on the planning committees for EduWeb Digital Summit, the AMA Symposium of Marketing for Higher Education, and the CASE Summit, and recently completed service as a CASE Commissioner of Communications & Marketing. Lindsay lives with her husband and cat in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, where they spend their time traveling internationally and seeing live music, comedy, and films.

Seth Odell

Seth Odell is one of higher education’s leading voices in enrollment marketing, with nearly 20 years of experience at institutions including Southern New Hampshire University, National University System, and UCLA. He is the Founder and CEO of Kanahoma, one of the fastest-growing marketing agencies in higher education, where he partners with colleges and universities nationwide to drive enrollment growth. An Emmy Award–winning marketer, Seth has been recognized for his innovative brand strategies and his expertise in helping institutions navigate growth, mergers, and acquisitions in the rapidly evolving education landscape.

Victoria O'Malley

Victoria O’Malley is a data-driven marketer with 15 years of progressive experience within strategic branding and multi-channel marketing, working to cultivate esteemed brands, grow enrollment, and lead joyful and productive teams. Currently, she serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at the Colorado School of Mines, a public R1 institution focused on STEM education and research. Prior to joining Mines, Victoria was the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Brand Strategy at the University of Colorado Denver and Senior Director of Marketing and Communications for University College, the college of continuing education at the University of Denver. She earned her doctorate from Northeastern University, in addition to a Master of Arts in Publishing from Oxford Brookes University and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalisim at the University of Arizona. Recognized as a leader in teaching excellence at the University of Denver, Victoria has taught more than 60 graduate-level courses including topics in marketing analytics, social media strategy, and brand management strategies.

Stephen Ostendorff

Stephen Ostendorff, Ed.D., is the Dean of Admissions at Molloy University, where he leads strategic enrollment management initiatives that blend data, creativity, and mission. A self-proclaimed AI enthusiast, Dr. Ostendorff has become a recognized voice in the intersection of artificial intelligence and higher education, guiding Molloy’s adoption of AI tools that enhance personalization, streamline operations, and drive measurable enrollment growth. Under his leadership, Molloy has achieved record-breaking first-year classes through innovative marketing strategies, direct admissions models, and AI-powered student engagement platforms. With more than twenty years of experience in higher education, he is passionate about designing student-centered, technology-enabled pathways that expand access and elevate the college experience.

Eric Page

Chief Client Officer

Teresa Valerio Parrot

Dr. Teresa Valerio Parrot, APR, is principal of TVP Communications, where she works at the intersection of leadership and communications. Teresa is known for honesty juxtaposed with optimism, and she helps higher education executives truthfully share excellence and genuinely own mistakes through their communications and actions in their proactive and crisis outreach. She is co-host of the Trusted Voices Podcast, co-editor of Call to Action for Inside Higher Ed, has numerous bylines with national and higher education media, and is a frequent keynote speaker. CASE awarded Teresa the Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence and she serves as a CASE Laureate. She was named a Top Woman in PR by PR News, and she and her team were honored in 2024 by PR Daily for Media Strategy of the Year. Teresa serves as secretary of the board of directors for the Public Relations Society of America, co-chairs the American Marketing Association’s higher education symposium, and serves on the boards of the PRSA Foundation and the Denver-area Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. She earned a doctorate from Southern Methodist University, MPA and BA from the University of Colorado, and holds accreditation in public relations from the Public Relations Society of America.

Kristen Paulmeyer

Kristen Paulmeyer is the Marketing Director at Creighton University, where she leads a team of marketing strategists supporting the schools and colleges through cross-platform content and targeted marketing efforts. Since joining Creighton in 2022, she has led first-year student retention campaigns and partnered on marketing strategies for current parents.
Before Creighton, Kristen worked in healthcare marketing, focusing on sales, lead generation and strategies to improve patient experience and retention. She holds an MBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Robert Pepper

Robert Pepper is the MD, Strategy Partner and co-Founder of Strategy and Creative Agency, psLondon. psLondon has spent the past 18 years serving Higher Education organisations, using insight, strategic thinking and compelling creative to design, build and execute brands for many business schools, universities and associated organisations in the UK and Europe. Robert leads our strategic work and has pioneered the use of FutureThinking to find new and exciting ways to position brands and drive marketing campaigns. ps is currently working with many leading brands including Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Imperial Business School, UCL and King’s College London.

Danielle Perry

As assistant vice president of marketing and communications strategy at Babson College, Danielle Perry spearheads content strategy and integrated marketing efforts to enhance brand recognition, reputation, and enrollment. Previously, Perry was vice president of public relations and strategic initiatives at Anna Jaques Hospital, where she played a key role in fostering sustained growth, enhancing reputation, and community engagement. She also led the public relations efforts for AT&T Wireless and Monster.com, strengthening brand relevance, thought leadership, and share of voice. Perry holds an MA in Communications from Rutgers University–New Brunswick and a BA in International Business from Lehigh University.

Anne Peters

Anne has over two decades of experience in higher education marketing and communications with leadership roles spanning residential liberal arts colleges to large public research universities. A frequent presenter at AMA and CASE conferences, Anne’s current position as UTSA’s CMO includes oversight of institutional brand, website development, presidential collateral and university special events. She holds a B.A. in Communications from Stanford University, and an M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from the University of Vermont.

Suzanne Petrusch

With more than 30 years of expertise in enrollment management, Suzanne Petrusch brings a track record of transformative outcomes. Since joining Kettering University in 2023, she has partnered closely with marketing leadership to align messaging, strategy, and operations, resulting in a 17% increase in undergraduate enrollment in 2024, and expected new student growth of nearly 30% for 2025. Suzanne’s previous roles include cabinet-level positions at Presbyterian College, St. Mary’s University (TX), and the University of Dayton. Her data-informed, student-centered approach to enrollment strategy has helped institutions redefine success through smarter positioning and integrated efforts, deployment of new technologies, the strategic use of financial aid, and organizational change.

Jenny Petty

Jenny Petty left the corporate world where she worked with some of the world’s biggest brands including Dolly Parton, Family Guy, Harley Davidson, Phantom of the Opera and The Ellen DeGeneres Show and joined the world of higher ed a decade ago. She currently serves as the Vice President Marketing Communications, Experience and Engagement and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at the University of Montana. In this role she oversees brand strategy, digital innovation, enrollment marketing, creative services and strategic communications as well as the public media arm of the University and the Alumni Association. Before coming to Montana, Petty was the Director of Enrollment Marketing at the University of Wyoming, where she was a key, driving force behind The World Needs More Cowboys campaign. She finds joy in building teams and helping others grow, as well as flexing her creative muscles whenever she can. She’s a graduate of the Reynolds School of Journalism and the University of Nevada and has a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University where her studies are focused on the intersection of Servant Leadership and the marketing profession.

Carrie Phillips

Dr. Carrie Phillips, CCMO at UA Little Rock, leads brand strategy, enrollment marketing, and institutional storytelling. She led the communication efforts behind a transformative, mostly in-house website project—the university’s first comprehensive redesign and content refresh in over a decade. Her leadership helped reverse a 13-year enrollment decline and supported launching a $250 million capital campaign. A recognized thought leader, Carrie frequently presents at AMA and CASE. She holds a doctorate from Texas Tech with her dissertation focusing on marketing’s role in addressing the enrollment cliff. She serves as CASE IV Chair and on PRSA’s CHE Executive Committee.

Chris Foley Pilsner

José Pomales

José Juan Pomales López, M.B.A., serves as a Student Services Specialist II at Nova Southeastern University’s College of Pharmacy, Puerto Rico Campus. With extensive experience in student services, marketing, and educational programming, he specializes in advancing student engagement, recruitment, and leadership development. Mr. Pomales López has successfully led initiatives that enhance student retention and academic success. His proven track record of results has made him a magnet for recruitment and retention efforts and a pivotal figure in shaping future pharmacy leaders. His work reflects a strong dedication to fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where all students can thrive.

Christian Ponce

Christian Ponce is an award-winning marketing leader and currently serves as the Executive Director of University Marketing at Indiana State University.

With extensive experience spanning higher education and advertising agencies, Christian specializes in multicultural, branding, and enrollment marketing strategies that connect with diverse audiences. His leadership at Old Dominion University, Ashland University, and Miami University, among other organizations, has consistently elevated institutional brand profiles and strengthened market positioning.

A trilingual marketer, Christian leads diverse teams of marketers, web and digital strategists, designers, and videographers – transforming ideas into impactful realities. His visionary approach and inclusive leadership make him a recognized champion in building brands that thrive in today’s diverse marketplace.

Tara Pope

Tara Pope is the Director of Marketing at Tufts University’s University College, where she leads marketing strategy and execution for a wide range of innovative, non-traditional academic programs. Since joining Tufts in 2019, she has played a key role in shaping the University’s approach to engaging diverse learner audiences—including adult professionals, high school students, parents and counselors, and 55+ lifelong learners—through brand development, audience-first strategy, and cross-university collaboration.

Brooke Preston

Brooke Preston (prestonb@ohio.edu) is the Director of Brand Voice at (and proud two-time alumna of) Ohio University, where she oversees the brand copywriting team and marketing strategy for key University events and initiatives, and coordinates marketing efforts across OHIO’s Division of Student Affairs offices. She is a published author and comedy writer, past faculty member and writer at The Second City, frequent teacher, host and writer for The Thurber House, and has contributed humor to The New York Times, Real Simple, The Cut, McSweeney’s and more. She lives in Westerville, Ohio with her husband, daughter and two doofy labs.

Devin Purgason

As AVP of Student Experience, Marketing and Outreach at Forsyth Tech, Devin brings a rich blend of visual creativity, technological innovation, and a deep commitment to education. Devin’s evolution as a media professional enriches his innovative student-focused strategies in higher education marketing. He has been honored with the AMA’s Emerging Higher Ed Marketer of 2024 Award, Winston Salem’s Under 40 Leadership Award, NC Triad Business Journal’s 40 under 40 and multiple CASE awards. Devin is a graduate of Southeastern Seminary and holds a graduate certificate from Duke University.

Chris Quintana

I write about how students decide if/where to go to college, and how they do, or don’t, pay for their education. I am especially interested in college admissions, student loan debt and what makes a university education worthwhile.

Brent Ramdin

Brent’s mission-driven leadership at EducationDynamics is rooted in over two decades of experience across both higher education and K-12 sectors. He guides the organization’s vision and strategy, consistently pushing boundaries to deliver impactful solutions that benefit students and foster thriving institutions.

Before joining EducationDynamics, Brent served as President of Encoura, where the industry’s most widely adopted enrollment and data science platform was created, transforming enrollment processes nationwide. He has also led organizations that provided managed services to K-12 districts, empowering educators to focus on their students. At Campus Management (now Anthology), Brent played a key role in Product Innovation and Strategy, shaping agile ERP, SIS, and CRM solutions for higher education. His contributions to online learning initiatives over the past decade have bridged the gap between public and private sectors, prioritizing the needs of learners.

Brent holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University, and he actively volunteers with community organizations that promote access to post-secondary educational pathways.

Elizabeth Regan-Butts

Jen Rettig

Jen leads the development of BMCG’s crisis readiness assessment methodology, supports clients in the development of aligned emergency, crisis management and crisis communication plans, and leads BMCG’s exercising practice. Beyond preparendess, over the past ten years, Jen has supported our client response to a variety of issues and crisis events including racial and sexual harassment, whistleblower claims, academic freedom issues, protests, and terrorism.

Jen has an MBA from Cornell, an MA in Japanese Studies from Ehime Daigaku, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Jason Rich

Jason Rich is Siena’s Vice President for Strategy, Communications and Outreach/Chief of Staff. As second officer to the President, he is responsible for designing, organizing, and guiding the strategic initiatives of the University and the priorities of the President to ensure transformative student experiences, operational efficiency, and effectual external relationships. He occupies a leading role in the development, implementation, and assessment of the University’s Strategic Plan, identifying opportunities and empowering employees across the organization to reimagine possibilities and realize goals. As Siena’s senior most communications executive, he develops and directs the University’s communications strategy. He earned his bachelor’s from Siena in finance in 1998 and a master’s in educational leadership and policy studies from Boston University in 2020.

Melissa Richards

Melissa is an author, teacher, consultant, facilitator, and leadership coach known as The Checklist Guru™. She authored the new book, The 30-60-90 Day Handbook: Checklists for Communications and Marketing Leaders in Higher Education (CASE, 2025), based on her experiences leading as a vice president for more than a dozen years. Melissa teaches as an adjunct instructor at Aurora University. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Tech, a BA from the University of Virginia, the Accreditation in Public Relations, and the AGB Board Professional Certificate.

Julie Ried

Julie brings more than 30 years of experience in marketing and communications to The Ward Group. Since joining TWG in 2006, she has grown and led the firm’s higher education and nonprofit practice areas, partnering with hundreds of colleges and universities across the country—placing cabinet-level marketing and communications leaders who drive institutional impact.
Julie has served on the Steering Committee for the AMA’s Symposium for Marketing in Higher Education and is a frequent speaker at conferences. She shares insights on best practices in marketing and communications, as well as strategies for evaluating and attracting top-tier talent in dynamic and evolving sectors. Beyond higher education, she has successfully led executive searches for integrated healthcare systems, museums, and health and human services organizations.

Angel Roane

Angel Roane is the Marketing Coordinator at Coppin State University, where she leads brand storytelling, social media strategy, and campaign development to elevate institutional visibility and community engagement. With a nonprofit and public health communications background, Angel brings a mission-driven lens to higher ed marketing—amplifying student voice, alumni pride, and cultural relevance through creative, data-informed content. She has spearheaded key initiatives such as “Coppin is Black History,” “My BE MORE Story,” and “I Chose The Nest,” as well as the 125th Anniversary digital campaign, helping drive increases in enrollment, endowment growth, and alumni engagement.

Brooke Robinson

Brooke Robinson joined the Oregon Athletics department as an assistant athletic director of marketing & fan experience in March 2024, where she oversees marketing and game presentation for football and leads the department’s initiatives for all varsity sports. Robinson graduated in 2014 with a B.A. in sport management from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where she worked with their powerhouse football program and Hall of Fame coach Pete Fredenburg. In addition, she has a M.S. in kinesiology with a concentration in sport management from LSU.

Meghan Rodgers

Meghan Rodgers is Chief Marketing Officer at 2U and an accomplished operations and marketing executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in education services and media organizations. She has held VP to C-suite roles spanning marketing, operations, finance, and strategy. Meghan specializes in scaling education organizations, developing holistic marketing and sales strategies, and driving measurable growth. She has led marketing, enrollment, and revenue growth initiatives for institutions ranging from innovative start-ups to established higher education providers. Meghan is also a strong mentor and leader, passionate about team development and creating data-informed strategies that maximize customer acquisition and brand.

Suzana Diaz Rosencrans

Suzana Diaz Rosencrans, Assistant Vice Provost of Academic Innovation and Director of Online Enrollment, Marketing and Advising (since August 2019), has more than 15 years’ experience in higher education. Her experience includes OPM leadership and management, leadership management, advising, student success, CRM integration, quality assurance, coaching and training, and recruitment and operations. Suzana was director of online recruitment at the University of Arizona 2016-2019 and Director of Online Enrollment for ASU Online EdPlus 2012-2015. During her service at UTSA, it has ranked in the top 20% of best online programs in USNWR and online enrollment has grown 30-40% YOY.

Leah Ross

Leah has been an Advertising Campaign Success Manager at Inside Higher Ed for the past three years, partnering with hundreds of clients. She specializes in multi-channel marketing for leading universities and global brands, delivering strategies that exceed lead generation and engagement goals. Her background includes marketing consulting, corporate communications and event management across higher education, nonprofit and corporate sectors. She is also based in Washington, D.C.

Pam Ross

Pam is a digital operations executive who builds high-performing teams, drives sustainable growth, and transforms delivery through strategy, systems, and heart. She leads global teams across PMO, architecture, development, QA, and UX—aligning operations with business outcomes to increase profitability, reduce churn, and scale delivery. Passionate about cultivating strong cultures rooted in accountability, empathy, and excellence, Pam brings the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to life through people-first leadership. She’s also deeply committed to innovation, applying AI tools to streamline reporting, resource allocation, and forecasting.

Suzanne Rothrock

Suzanne oversees Mission’s account strategy department helping to understand their challenges and achieve their goals. Suzanne is especially involved in much of Mission’s higher education work, leading a range of high-profile initiatives for Johns Hopkins, the identity development and launch of the new Hopkins Bloomberg Center, and the rebrand and ongoing marketing efforts at TU to name a few. She has a background in media-buying and worked in-house on the advertising and promotions team at Discovery Communications’ Animal Planet. Prior to joining Mission 15 years ago, she served as the Director of Strategic Marketing at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

Laura Rudolph

Laura Rudolph, M.S. Founder & CEO, Square One Consulting Laura Rudolph is founder of Square One Consulting, helping small-but-mighty higher ed enrollment and marketing teams create empathy-based, student-centered communications. She specializes in guiding institutions through the enrollment journey—from strategy to Slate—ensuring families and students receive meaningful messages at every stage.

Steven Rutt

Steven Rutt is the Chief Revenue Officer at Abilene Christian University, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience in higher education across finance, marketing, and analytics. He has led transformative initiatives at the intersection of strategy and performance, including managing the largest performance marketing budget in the sector. Under his leadership, ACU’s online enrollment has grown by more than 250% over the past five years. Steven is passionate about data-informed growth strategies, cross-functional collaboration, and building scalable systems that drive long-term revenue growth in an increasingly competitive market.

Kerry Salerno

Kerry Salerno is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Babson College, where she leads the institution’s efforts to strengthen brand visibility, reputation, and enrollment growth. In this role, she directs strategies that build awareness, engagement, and advocacy for Babson and its academic and revenue-generating programs. A member of the president’s leadership team, she manages a cross-functional organization that spans marketing, communications, and institutional strategy. Her portfolio includes oversight of Babson’s communications approach, from thought leadership and media relations to crisis management and reputation strategy. Before joining Babson, Salerno spent 15 years at Northeastern University in progressively senior roles, guiding marketing and communications initiatives that supported enrollment and institutional advancement.

Frannie Schneider

Frannie Schneider is Associate Vice President for Marketing at Creighton University. Since joining Creighton in 2021, she has led a team focused on driving growth and strengthening brand awareness and engagement. Frannie brings more than 15 years of experience in higher education marketing and content strategy, with a track record of helping teams adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Missouri School of Journalism and has presented at AMA and CASE conferences nationwide.

Julie Schoonmaker

Julie Schoonmaker is a strategic leader in multimedia storytelling and content production, serving as Director of Multimedia Production at Duke University’s Office of Communications and Marketing. She helps shape Duke’s visual narrative through compelling video and photo content that builds trust, engages audiences, and elevates the university’s brand. Julie leads Duke’s Video and Photo Working Group, fostering collaboration and innovation among campus creatives. Prior to Duke, she spent nearly a decade as a television news reporter across North Carolina, mastering fast-paced content creation from filming to editing to delivering stories on air.

Kin Sejpal

Kinnari “Kin” Sejpal is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications/Chief Marketing Officer at University of Redlands where she oversees brand management, enrollment marketing, and communications and digital teams. Before joining Redlands, Kin served as the Associate Vice President, Marketing and Creative Services at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Among her many accomplishments there, Kin developed RIT’s brand strategy and launched its first national reputation campaign.

Kin started her career in the U.S. by joining Purdue University’s Office of Marketing and Media where she held progressively responsible roles in the areas of advertising, marketing strategy, and marketing intelligence.
Dedicated to advancing higher education and the importance of marketing in shaping the perception of our industry, Kin serves in prominent positions with CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) and AMA (American Marketing Association).

Kin has an M.B.A in Marketing and Strategic Management, and an M.A. in Communications from Purdue University.

Jeff Selingo

Jeff Selingo has written about universities for over 25 years and is a New York Times bestselling author. Who Gets In & Why: A Year Inside College Admissions was on the New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2024. His new book Dream School: Finding The College That’s Right For You is based on 2+ years of research and a survey of 3,500 parents.

Jeff regularly contributes to The Atlantic, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal. He’s a professor of practice at Arizona State University and an advisor to the ASU president, writes a newsletter, and co-hosts a podcast.

Nirvi Shah

Nirvi Shah is executive editor of The Hechinger Report, where she oversees all editorial aspects of its journalism. She joined Hechinger after serving as education enterprise editor for USA TODAY. Before that, she was a Spencer Fellow in education reporting at Columbia University and spent nearly a decade with POLITICO in the U.S. and Europe. She was the founding editor of the POLITICO Pro Education policy team. She also worked for Education Week, The Miami Herald, The Palm Beach Post and The Lakeland Ledger. Her work has exposed flaws in federal data collection about the use of suspension and expulsion and drawn attention to the uneven use of these disciplinary practices. Nirvi has won a number of education reporting awards as well as a Society of Professional Journalists Green Eyeshade award in deadline reporting with colleagues at the Post. Her work has been published in Business Insider, Education Next, The Guardian, The Nation and USA TODAY, among other publications.

Kevin Shively

Kevin Shively is the VP of Corporate Marketing at Pantheon and a recovering journalist who accidentally turned SaaS marketing into a career. Over the last 15+ years, he’s helped scale multiple startups through major milestones—including marketing Ally.io through its acquisition by Microsoft and Simply Measured through its acquisition by Sprout Social.

He focuses on pairing exciting brand strategy with data-driven execution and rallying cross-functional teams around what truly moves the needle.

Kevin once drove Jerry Seinfeld in a limo and has been told by Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker that he’s “pretty funny.” He assumes both are still true.

Kerri Shook

Kerri Shook currently leads the admissions communication strategy at the University of Montana and is the Owner/Chief Strategist at ks strategy studio. Her previous experience includes brand and enrollment strategy roles at higher education marketing agencies and various campuses across the country. Kerri holds a Master of Arts in Digital Communication from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Hilary Fussell Sisco

Hilary Fussell Sisco, Ph.D., APR, is a professor of Public Relations at Quinnipiac University. Dr. Fussell Sisco’s research focuses on public relations in the nonprofit sector, social media, and crisis communication. She has over 80 peer-reviewed publications in such journals as the Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Review, Public Relations Journal and Corporate Communications: An International Journal. Dr. Fussell Sisco has over 20 years of teaching experience, including appointments at Radford University and the University of South Carolina.

Samara Sit

Samara A. Sit is a strategic communications and marketing leader driving excellence in higher education outreach through distinctive digital storytelling and innovative editorial strategies that unify campus communities, raise institutional profiles, and instill pride. As the Vice President for Communications and Marketing at Bryn Mawr College, she leads the Office of Communications & Marketing, which promotes college awareness and recognition as well as its community of student scholars, faculty, staff, and alumnae/i. Her work at Bryn Mawr includes the development of a new multichannel editorial content strategy that delivers compelling content about student and faculty successes to segmented audiences, the direction of crisis and strategic communications, strong collaboration with the admissions office, the undergraduate and graduate schools, and alumnae/i relations and development divisions, and in 2024, she concluded the college’s first-ever comprehensive institutional positioning project, creating a powerful new strategic messaging strategy and visual identity designed to unify all internal and external communications and marketing efforts.

In her previous role as associate dean and chief communications officer at the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Samara led an award-winning communications team responsible for supporting two campuses and 350+ faculty. Several national and international organizations recognized the 2019 relaunch of their digital web system with awards, including the International Circle of Excellence award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the AVA Digital Awards, The Communicator Award, and the Education Digital Marketing Award. She also revitalized the college’s brand and messaging strategy in collaboration with the design firm IDEO. In 2020, CALS received its first #1 ranking in Ag Sciences from the Wall Street Journal/THE.

Samara’s previous roles also leveraged her expertise in educating key audiences through interactive technology. At George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs, she directed school communications, special events, and administration, and at the PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, she became a television producer/reporter covering current affairs after directing the NewsHour’s online multimedia engagement program for high school students and teachers.

Samara is a member of the American Marketing Association and the Public Relations Society of America and has served on several boards, including the Finger Lakes (NY) chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and Washington DC’s newspaper for teens, Young DC. A graduate of American University, in her senior year she was inducted into the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honors Society and served as a commencement speaker. She lives in Media, PA, with her husband, Dave Sit, and is a native of Cherry Hill, N.J. When not working, she is usually pursuing her fitness goals through strength training, kickboxing, spinning, or yoga, if not outside hiking or cycling on the many trails in the Philadelphia region.

Sourced from the Bryn Mawr College website: https://www.brynmawr.edu/inside/people/samara-sit

Doug Smith

Doug is the Director of AI Operations at Element451 – Leading AI strategy, development, and operations to enhance user adoption of AI to accelerate client engagement, drive innovation, and offload repetitive work. Responsibilities include overseeing AI enablement, LLMops, and integrating AI-driven insights within Element451.

Gregory Smith

Gregory Smith is the Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District, one of California’s largest systems, serving approximately 90,000 students across four colleges. He oversees a $1 billion annual budget and leads operations for the region’s largest provider of workforce training and higher education. With over 20 years of public sector service—including at the U.S. Department of Labor and in leadership roles at Shasta College—Gregory has dedicated his career to expanding access and equity in education and employment.

As a first-generation college graduate, Gregory brings a personal and professional commitment to fostering inclusive environments where diverse students can succeed. He has contributed to statewide workgroups that developed policy reforms to improve student outcomes across California’s community colleges and has led efforts to reimagine budget and resource models to better serve underrepresented populations. His leadership reflects a values-driven approach to institutional transformation rooted in access, accountability, and equity.

Jarrett Smith

Jarrett Smith is Partner and Senior Vice President of Strategy at Echo Delta, a higher education marketing and consulting firm that helps colleges and universities bridge the gap between enrollment goals and marketing strategy. He leads the agency’s research, creative, and media practices, with a focus on turning audience insights into marketing that drives enrollment outcomes. Jarrett also hosts the Higher Ed Marketing Lab podcast, where he interviews sharp minds from inside and outside the industry to explore what works in higher ed marketing today.

Jason Smith

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.

Molly Soat

As the Vice President of Professional Development, Molly oversees a team of production, instructional design, and programming experts that strategize, curate, and create experiences to drive employable skills and personal growth for the marketing community. She leads the AMA’s portfolio of Professional Certified Marketer® certifications, including the AMA/CMI Content Marketing PCM®. In her 13-year tenure at the AMA, Molly has also served in creative and leadership roles for the AMA’s in-person conferences and its practitioner publication, Marketing News. Prior to her work at the AMA, Molly was the editor of magazines spanning business and architectural-design verticals.

Michele Gaither Sparks

Michele brings nearly three decades of expertise in higher education marketing and communications to her role as VP of Client Strategy at GMB. Michele’s extensive experience in brand development and media relations, coupled with her deep understanding of the higher education landscape, enables her to deliver strategic and creative solutions that drive success for GMB’s education clients.

Jason Stevens

Jason Stevens leads the Encoura Digital Solutions team and has managed media strategy, implementation, and reporting for both undergraduate and graduate clients.

Maribeth Stevens

As the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Indiana State University, Maribeth Stevens oversees the strategic enrollment efforts of the institution in developing a comprehensive, campus-wide strategy aimed at attracting and supporting students through to graduation. She oversees a broad portfolio including undergraduate and graduate admissions, financial aid, marketing, and new student programs. Maribeth has previously held leadership roles at Wittenberg University and Saint Leo University. A two-time graduate of Bowling Green State University and former Division I women’s basketball player, she has a strong record of growing enrollment, enhancing marketing strategies, and expanding access for diverse student populations.

Safaniya Stevenson

Strategist. Storyteller. Status quo disruptor. Safaniya “Safy” Stevenson is a brand strategist and cultural analyst who transforms brands by understanding what makes audiences tick. With over a decade of experience spanning TV news to digital leadership, she has orchestrated viral campaigns and led multimillion-dollar rebrands for institutions like NC State, Boise State and Cal Poly Humboldt. Named a 2024 AAMA “Marketer to Watch” and SXSW EDU presenter, Safy cross-pollinates insights from industries like Food & Beverage, Tech, and Tourism to inspire fresh approaches to higher education marketing. This Raleigh-based Lego enthusiast (30+ builds and counting) applies her omnichannel expertise to create authentic narratives that elevate brands and categories.

Adam Stoltz

Adam is an experienced higher education marketing and enrollment leader with over 20 years in the field. He holds an Ed.D. from Saint Louis University and advanced degrees in arts management and organizational leadership. Currently the Director of Enrollment Marketing at the University of Idaho, Adam has led efforts contributing to record-breaking enrollment growth. He specializes in CRM strategy, has won multiple marketing awards, and also consults in higher education. At the University of Idaho—now a Carnegie R1 institution—he supports strategic enrollment efforts at a nationally recognized, top-value public research university.

Jesse Summers

Jesse Summers currently serves as the director of licensing for the University of Oregon. Before joining the licensing team, Jesse was the director of social media and brand strategy in University Communications, where he was responsible for developing and implementing the university’s social media strategy and leading the university’s institutional UOregon accounts. Jesse also oversaw University Communications’ podcasting efforts and student employee program, Communications Academy. Jesse is a double Duck with a BA in journalism and advertising and an MBA from the University of Oregon.

Sierra L. Susberry

Christine Szustaczek

Christine Szustaczek, MCM, APR, SCMP, FCPRS is Vice President, Communications at the University of Toronto where she nurtures U of T’s brand, reputation and character through two-way communication. She previously worked as a VP External Relations at Sheridan College where she oversaw government and community relations, special events, advancement and alumni and spent another 10 years running her own consultancy serving broader public sector clients. Her work has been recognized by national awards for mentorship and for ethical PR. She’s published in the Journal of Education Advancement and Marketing and the Journal of Professional Communication.

Nicole Szymczak

Nicole Szymczak is an Emmy-nominated journalist who believes every story inspires. Nicole serves as a Senior Director of Communications and Marketing for Michigan State University Health Sciences. Her leadership includes managing and coordinating branding, public relations and marketing across two medical schools, a college of nursing, a faculty-led clinical operation and statewide partnerships for innovation, education, and research.

Prior to accepting this inaugural position, Nicole led communications for the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, initiating a transformation of all digital properties, launching a new brand identity campaign, and marketing the college’s first online master’s program for professionals.

Nicole’s first role in higher education was in 2010, leading the transformation of an in-house agency for Lansing Community College. She worked to transform the marketing team to promote the journeys of students of all ages and backgrounds with a focus on storytelling. By building meaningful campaigns, the results of her team led to improved enrollment and reputation of the third largest community college in Michigan.

Nicole has earned numerous awards for creative campaigns aimed at potential and current students and alumni. Outside of higher education, her love of visual storytelling inspired her as co-founder and current board president of the Capital City Film Festival, a non-profit now in its 15th year.

Nicole resides in Greater Lansing with her husband Mark and their three young children.

Andrew Teie

Andrew Teie is the SVP of Strategic Planning at Yes& with over 18 years of experience helping organizations communicate with authenticity and emotional intelligence. He leads integrated brand, digital, and customer experience strategies across sectors including higher education, government, and nonprofits. At Yes&, he works closely with institutions to evolve their messaging in complex cultural climates—ensuring alignment with mission, audience trust, and inclusive values even when traditional DEI language is under scrutiny. Andrew also serves on the agency’s Inclusive Design Committee and AI Council, helping guide ethical, human-centered storytelling.

Prior to Yes&, he led digital brand teams at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and launched the viral “Music for Cats” Kickstarter campaign. He brings a passion for inclusive strategy and nuanced communication to the evolving challenges facing higher ed marketers.

Stephanie Teresi

Steph Teresi runs LMU’s trademark licensing game—protecting, promoting, and powering up the university brand across merch, apparel, and swag. As LMU’s first full-time licensing lead, she’s built policies and partnerships with the goal to boost LMU pride and make our gear easier to find (and love). Pre-LMU, Steph repped over 100 East Coast schools at Campus Stop and designed store displays at Anthropologie. A proud University of Delaware grad with a BFA in visual communications (go Blue Hens!), she now calls Culver City home—where she cheers on the Eagles, spoils two bernedoodles, and paints watercolor masterpieces at the kitchen table.

Omar Tewfik

Omar has fifteen years of experience in political and legislative advocacy, community engagement, and campaign strategy. He is currently the Communications Director for the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center. Prior to this role, Omar started his own strategic communications consulting practice, providing expertise to clients in Higher Education and Big Tech. Omar served in digital communications and senior media relations roles at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and Arab American Institute (AAI). He is a Truman National Security Project Political Partner and holds a B.A. in Political Science, History and Spanish from Albright College.

Alonda Thomas

Alonda Thomas is the vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). She leads the University’s strategic communications, marketing, media relations, and brand and reputation management efforts.

Previously, Alonda was the chief communications officer and associate vice president for Marketing and Communications at Jackson State University. In 2021, she spearheaded the unveiling of the JSU Elevate Strategic Plan. Under her leadership, the team helped surpass the $500,000 fundraising goal for JSU Day of Giving campaign by producing a series of marketing videos to garner donations during the one-day event.

Thomas previously served as director of public relations and interim vice president of communications at Howard University. During her tenure, the team received several awards, including the Public Relations Society of America 2021 Bronze Anvil Award for Executive Communications, the 2020 Bronze Anvil Award for Twitter Engagement, and the PRWeek 2020 Best in a Crisis Award.

Hailing from Miami, Fla., Alonda received her bachelor’s degree in public relations from FAMU, a master’s degree in integrated marketing and management communications from Florida State University, and her doctorate in urban higher education from JSU. Follow her newsletter, “Don’t Quote Me: Tips and Quips by PR Strategist Alonda Thomas” exclusively on LinkedIn.

Scott Thompson

Scott leads the web development and marketing automation teams within University Communications and Marketing at NC State. A strong believer in the value of cross-discipline collaboration, he has been able to spearhead the introduction of product management principles within the organization. He blends a strong background in computer science with communications and marketing expertise and enjoys acting as a translator between unique disciplines and perspectives. Although he is a proud member of the Wolfpack, he is a prouder Tar Heel (Computer Science and German ’12; Digital Communication ’18).

Teri Lucie Thompson

Teri Lucie Thompson is a transformer of brands, ideas, and organizations.

She worked as the first CMO at three US research intensive universities—Purdue, University of Arizona, and University of Texas System—and one financial services company. With multiple degrees and certification in New Product Development from the University of Michigan, Teri thrives in new environments, including tackling new challenges like AI. The author of “Tuning into Mom: Understanding America’s Most Powerful Consumer,” Teri excels at branding, strategy, customer segmentation, product development, and organizational change.

Todd Thompson

With 15 years at Inside Higher Ed, Todd has partnered with hundreds of institutions in the creation and execution of their branding, recruitment and custom event strategies across the U.S. and abroad. Based in Washington, D.C., Todd specializes in helping institutions elevate their visibility among higher education leaders, influencers and global rankings voters.

Allison Turcio

Allison Turcio, Ed.D., is Assistant VP for Enrollment and Marketing at Siena University, a marketing professor, consultant, host of The Application Podcast, and publisher of the Higher Education Marketer’s Digest. Allison frequently presents at industry conferences and serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing. She has led her team to win several accolades, including AMA’s 2023 Emerging Marketer in Higher Education Award. Allison has been selected for Albany Business Review’s 40 Under 40 and Siena’s Excellence in Administration award. She holds a doctorate degree in higher education leadership from Northeastern University.

Jennifer Umberger

Jennifer Umberger, PCM is a senior marketing leader with over 20 years of experience building brand strategy in higher education. As Vice President and CMO at Kettering University, she led the launch of the university’s bold new brand platform, aligning marketing with enrollment to drive measurable growth. Previously, she served as AVP and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Bloomsburg University, now Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Her work focuses on brand clarity, audience connection, and aligning strategy with institutional and enrollment outcomes. Jennifer holds the American Marketing Association’s Professional Certified Marketer designation and serves on the executive board of CUPRAP, a higher ed professional development organization.

Chris Uzzo

Chris Uzzo is the CEO and Founder of Zero Gravity Marketing, where he leads the agency with a focus on delivering outstanding work, growing the business, and fostering a strong company culture. With a Management degree from the University of Massachusetts, Chris specializes in agency leadership, setting the company’s vision, and empowering department leaders to drive success. He’s played a key role in strengthening company culture, improving communication, and refining how ZGM tracks hours against scopes to hone profitability.

Allison Vance

Allison Copenbarger Vance is the Deputy Associate Chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In this role, she leads messaging which includes crisis communications, issues management, executive communications, FOIA, institutional communications, news, media relations and an embedded team for the Office of the Provost. She also teaches one course each semester, Writing for Public Relations, in the department of advertising. Before joining the university, she was a magazine editor and freelance journalist. Allison is a two-time Illinois alumna, with a master’s degree in advertising and a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

Jackie Vetrano

Jackie Vetrano fell into higher education marketing by accident. With more than 10 years of experience in marketing at both two- and four-year colleges, she now serves as the assistant director of marketing at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She manages and implements the lead-nurture strategy using email as well as other important touchpoints to encourage prospective students to apply to the top-ranked MBA programs. She was named as a Mover and Shaker in Innovation (2019), and produced and hosted the award-winning podcast “This is Skidmore,” among other accolades she is very proud of! Outside of work, you’ll find Jackie watching reality television, cheering for the Buffalo Bills, crocheting, pretending to enjoy running, or livestreaming on Twitch.

Matt Walters

Matt Walters is the Strategic Consultant at VisionPoint Marketing, where he engages with potential clients to uncover their needs, crafting tailored proposals and shaping strategies to address their challenges. With deep and varied higher ed experience, he is passionate about higher education’s transformational power for our world. Matt is frequently invited to speak at conferences around the country on topics ranging from enrollment marketing, brand strategy, digital advertising, web, and more.

Denise Ward

Denise T. Ward is an established communications professional with more than 25 years of experience in journalism, strategic communications, marketing and public affairs.
She currently works as the Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing at Spelman College. She has held communications roles across diverse industries, including at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (now Elevance Health), Georgia Institute of Technology, Albany State University, Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, The Hershey Company, MillerCoors, and the University of San Diego.

Denise is an active member with both Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), where she obtained her APA certification, and PRSA Georgia chapters. Her involvement with PRSA includes serving as a member of the Counselors to Higher Education annual conference and programming committees, and a judge for the Avil Awards. For PRSA Georgia, she has served as co-chair for the annual conference committee, member of the nominating and strategic planning committee, and has served on the social media and newsletter committees.

Denise is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Media Related Task Force, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is a graduate of Valdosta State University and University of Phoenix.

Kevin Washo

Kevin Washo serves as senior vice chancellor for external relations at the University of Pittsburgh, where he leads the Division of Philanthropic and Alumni Engagement, Office of Engagement and Community Affairs, Office of Government Relations and Advocacy, and Office of University Communications and Marketing—overseeing efforts in fundraising, alumni and community engagement, government outreach, and institutional reputation. A proud Pitt alum and Scranton native, Washo joined the University in 2017 as chief of staff to Chancellor Patrick Gallagher and continued in the role under Chancellor Joan Gabel until April 2025, helping advance University priorities and manage the Office of the Chancellor. He has been recognized as a “Higher Education Trailblazer” by City & State PA and a Pittsburgh Business Times C-Suite Award winner, and currently serves on the boards of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce and the Oakland Business Improvement District, having previously served as a University trustee. Before returning to Pitt, he held senior roles in political, government, and civic initiatives across Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

Brent Wege

Brent Wege serves as Regional Vice President of Digital Sales for Education at Salesforce, where he leads teams helping colleges and universities leverage CRM, AI, and data to drive digital transformation. With over two decades of experience in technology and sales leadership, Brent partners with higher education institutions to enhance recruitment, retention, and alumni engagement through connected, data-driven strategies. He is passionate about helping education leaders create personalized, scalable experiences that deliver long-term institutional success.

Gabriel Welsch

Gabriel Welsch is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, where he has served since 2019. He spearheaded a research-driven overhaul of the University’s brand platform, led development of a new, award-winning University website, implemented school- and college-level strategic communications plans and metrics, and drove efforts to redesign flagship admissions and advancement publications. Simultaneously, Welsch introduced a culture of data-informed collaborative decision-making and worked with the team to create the division’s first strategic plan. Prior to Duquesne, Welsch served in executive functions at Juniata College. He is past-president of the board of directors of CUPRAP.

Mallory Willsea

Mallory Willsea is a strategist and consultant working at the intersection of higher education, media, and AI. With nearly 20 years of experience in edtech, enrollment marketing, and brand leadership, she helps institutions and companies sharpen their messaging, grow their influence, and adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape.

Mallory previously served as VP of Marketing at Element451, an AI-powered student engagement platform, and as Chief Strategist at Enrollify, where she helped build the largest podcast network in higher ed marketing. She now advises organizations on top-of-funnel strategy, media development, and executive visibility.

She’s an award winning speaker and podcast host. Known for blending practical insight with a forward-looking lens, Mallory focuses on what’s working — and what’s next — for innovative teams navigating change.

Hannah Wilson

Hannah Wilson, Knowledge Management & CRM Coordinator at Forsyth Tech, merges data-driven strategy, AI innovation, and passion for education and student success. With a strong background in marketing, project management, and education administration, she uses technology to foster connection, streamline processes, and enhance the student experience.She holds an Associate in Arts and a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management – Marketing, is finishing her B.S.B.A. in Innovation Leadership & Entrepreneurship from Western Carolina University, and is eager to begin her MBA. Hannah thrives at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and servant leadership—always focused on turning ideas into intentional action.

Courtney Witmer

As assistant director of social media, Courtney helps plan and execute short- and long-term strategy for Penn State’s main social accounts, curates and creates content for social media platforms, and uses performance analytics to shape recommendations for continuous improvement and growth across platforms.

Courtney previously held digital marketing roles at Facebook, Microsoft, and start-ups in the Bay Area, and spent four years focusing on paid social media at Penn State World Campus and IPG agency Mediahub. In addition to undergraduate degrees from Penn State, she earned an M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. at Seton Hall University.

Brad Wolverton

Brad Wolverton is editor of The Chronicle of Higher Education, where he leads the newsroom in covering the biggest stories shaping colleges and universities. He also serves on the executive-leadership team, helping to oversee the company’s strategic direction. He returned to The Chronicle in 2025 after nearly a decade building editorial teams at HubSpot, The Hustle, and NerdWallet. Earlier in his career, he spent 12 years at The Chronicle as a reporter and editor, covering the influence of money in college athletics and earning national recognition for investigative reporting.

Jamie Yates

Jamie Yates serves as the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at Gettysburg College, leading the College’s holistic marketing efforts to enhance the College’s brand visibility and reputation. Prior to this role, Jamie served as Gettysburg’s director of communications and media relations , directing the College’s news and content strategies while serving as the College’s lead spokesperson. Prior to Gettysburg, Jamie served as the director of communications for the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, advocating on behalf of the state’s 14 community colleges at state and federal levels, after serving as a deputy press secretary and spokesperson for the Rendell administration.

Rob Zinkan

Rob Zinkan, Ed.D., founded Navigate Gray to help CMCOs design organizations that drive reputation and growth. Before launching Navigate Gray, Rob served as Vice President for Marketing Leadership at RHB, where he guided institutions in sharpening their market position and strengthening organizational capability. He spent nearly two decades at Indiana University in senior roles ranging from campus vice chancellor to system-wide associate vice president. Rob is co-author of What Makes a Strategic Plan ‘Strategic’? and co-editor and contributor to Inside Higher Ed’s “Call to Action” column. He also teaches graduate courses in strategic communication (M.A.) and higher education leadership and organizational studies (Ed.D.).

Amanda Zettervall