Podcast
Higher Voltage
Hosted by Volt · EN
Higher Voltage explores what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change in higher education. Higher Voltage isn’t just for anyone who works in higher education—it’s for anyone who is interested in or cares about higher education.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Defining the Product: How Marketers Can Break the Higher Ed Sea of Sameness
1w ago00:37:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Higher Voltage, Tony Proudfoot, Vice President for Marketing and Strategic Communications at Western Michigan University, joins Kevin Tyler to explain why marketers must stop just designing the packaging and start shaping what is inside the box. From breaking out of the "sea of sameness" to achieving "ubiquitous excellence" through experience-driven learning, Proudfoot makes the case for campus CMOs to step out of the basement and claim their seat as the institution's chief strategist.
Transcribe →
Tasty Branding: Inside Fordham’s Pop-Up Pizza Shop
Mar 2600:36:50Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Higher Voltage, Justin Bell, Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Fordham University, joins Kevin to break down the strategy behind the Fordham Pizza Shop activation at NACAC. What looked like a creative stunt was actually a calculated move to build brand awareness, drive engagement, and create lasting impressions in a crowded space.
Transcribe →
The Search Party is Over: Seth Odell on AEO and Life After SEO
Mar 1900:43:57Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Higher Voltage, Seth Odell joins Volt to discuss how AI is transforming search and what it means for higher education marketers. As zero-click search results, AI-generated answers, and new discovery platforms change how prospective students find information, institutions must rethink traditional enrollment strategies. Odell shares insights on branding, digital visibility, and why colleges can no longer rely on conventional SEO alone to reach future students.
Transcribe →
Breaking Down Silos: What It Really Takes to Build a Connected College
Feb 2600:36:15Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Higher Voltage, Kevin Tyler sits down with higher ed strategist and author Elliot Felix to explore the concept of the connected college. From silo-busting strategy to integrating career development into the academic experience, Felix shares an evidence-based playbook for aligning teams, redesigning systems, and improving outcomes for all students.
Transcribe →
What’s Fueling the Next Wave of HBCU Enrollment Growth
Feb 400:35:13Tap to summarizeHBCU enrollment is gaining momentum—and strategy is driving the surge. In this episode of Higher Voltage, Kevin Tyler speaks with Tanya Clark of 3 Enrollment about record-breaking male enrollment, intentional digital marketing, and how data, capacity planning, and student-centered systems are shaping the future of HBCUs.
Transcribe →
An Inside Look at the ‘Research Saves Lives’ Campaign
Jan 2200:32:42Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Kevin Tyler interviews Marina Cooper, the Senior Associate Vice President for Integrated Marketing and Brand at Johns Hopkins University. They discuss the ‘Research Saves Lives’ campaign, which aims to communicate the value of research in higher education amidst federal funding cuts. The conversation covers the campaign's inclusive approach, its impact on the community, and the metrics for success, highlighting the importance of collaboration and effective communication in the current climate of higher education.
Transcribe →
Actually, Americans Do Trust Higher Education
Nov 2400:37:41Tap to summarizeKevin Tyler talks with researcher David Lazer about new national polling that reveals a more nuanced picture of how Americans view colleges and universities. They unpack long-term trust trends, the role of partisanship, and what higher ed leaders should take away from the data.
Transcribe →
FU: Colorado Mesa’s Bold Stand Against Elitism in Higher Ed
Nov 600:38:51Tap to summarizeColorado Mesa University’s Featherstone campaign flipped the script on higher ed marketing with humor and honesty. Kevin Tyler talks with Katlin Birdsall, AVP for Marketing and Brand Strategy, about challenging elitism, connecting with first-gen students, and taking creative risks that reflect institutional values.
Transcribe →
The State of Student Support Services
Sep 1600:41:53Tap to summarizeWhat does it mean for colleges to be “student ready”? In this episode of Higher Voltage, Kevin Tyler talks with RAND researcher Lindsay Daugherty about meeting students’ basic needs — food, housing, mental health — and how institutions can reimagine support services, shift their messaging, and build trust that keeps students enrolled.
Transcribe →
Why Are Fewer Men Going to College?
Jul 2800:24:27Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Higher Voltage, Kevin Tyler talks with journalist Erica Levi Zelinger about the sharp decline in male enrollment across higher education. They explore how outdated messaging, retention challenges, and cultural disconnects are fueling the crisis, and what colleges can do to reverse the trend.
Transcribe →