LinkedIn has become one of the most valuable tools for professional networking and thought leadership, yet many higher education leaders are still using it like a bulletin board instead of a place to build relationships. In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom talks with Greg Star, entrepreneur and founder of Driven Authentic Branding Solutions (DABS), about how college leaders can use LinkedIn to strengthen their professional connections and support the institutions they serve.

Greg shares how he used his personal LinkedIn account to grow his own company, why personal posts often outperform company updates, and how college presidents, marketing directors, faculty, and development teams can use LinkedIn to share their expertise, tell meaningful stories, and communicate the value of their work. Cheryl and Greg also discuss authenticity, AI, personal branding, and why the best LinkedIn content often comes from the stories leaders are already telling in everyday conversations.

What You’ll Learn:

How personal storytelling can strengthen a college’s brand and community presence
Why presidents and senior leaders should be visible on LinkedIn
How colleges can use LinkedIn to connect with donors, employers, students, and community stakeholders
Why authenticity matters more than polished corporate messaging
How AI tools like Claude can support writing without replacing a leader’s voice

Thanks for listening!

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Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.