Education Marketing Leader with Chris Rapozo

by Chris Rapozo

Season 4

Is Higher Ed Preparing Students for the Jobs of Tomorrow? | Justin Fisher

What happens when the degree students are earning prepares them for a job market that no longer exists? In this episode of The Education Marketing Leader, Chris Rapozo sits down with Justin Fisher, Director of Marketing Intelligence at Yeshiva University and Cardozo School of Law, to talk about one of higher education’s biggest challenges: preparing students for careers in a workforce being rapidly reshaped by AI. They explore whether universities have gone far enough in connecting education to employability, why career outcomes and earning potential need to become a bigger part of the value conversation, and whether institutions should rethink the types of programs they offer. Justin also shares his perspective on AI’s impact on entry-level careers, the growing value of practical and career-focused education, and why universities need stronger connections with employers to understand what skills the workforce actually needs. But preparing students for work shouldn’t mean abandoning what higher education has always done well. Chris and Justin also discuss the continued importance of curiosity, critical thinking, and challenging ideas. If higher education wants to remain relevant, the question is no longer simply whether students graduate. It’s whether they’re prepared for what comes next.

S4 · E19

Aug 13, 2026

28:40

Why Helpful Marketing Still Wins | Jay Baer on Youtility.

What does it take to earn trust before someone is ready to buy? In this episode of the Education Marketing Leader Book Club, Chris Rapozo and the book club members sat down with bestselling author Jay Baer to discuss the enduring lessons from Youtility and why the most effective marketing starts by being genuinely helpful. Together, they explore how higher education marketers can create content that answers prospective student questions, builds long-term trust, and stands out in an AI-driven world. Jay also shares why he believes marketers should answer before they ask, how short-form webinars can outperform traditional webinars, and what he'd add if he wrote Youtility 2.0 today. In this episode: Why helpful marketing outperforms promotional marketing Creating content that builds trust with prospective students "Answer before they ask" as a content strategy Why most higher ed websites create unnecessary friction The future of content marketing in the age of AI How to measure the impact of helpful content If you're a higher education marketer, enrollment leader, or content strategist looking to improve student engagement and marketing effectiveness, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can apply immediately. #HigherEdMarketing #EnrollmentMarketing #ContentMarketing #JayBaer #Youtility #HigherEducation #EducationMarketing #AIMarketing

S4 · E18

Jul 31, 2026

50:25

From Generic Messaging to Market Relevance in Higher Education w/ Christian Klepp

Why do so many universities sound exactly the same? In this episode of The Education Marketing Leader, Chris Rapozo sits down with branding strategist and B2B Marketers on a Mission host Christian Klepp of Einblick Consulting to discuss why generic messaging no longer works and what higher education marketers can do instead. They explore how institutions can build stronger market positioning, earn leadership buy-in, create meaningful student personas, and develop brands that students genuinely connect with. You'll learn: Why history and tradition aren't enough to differentiate your institution How to build a market position students actually care about The biggest mistakes universities make with student personas Why prospective students trust social media more than university websites How smaller colleges can compete with larger brands Practical ways marketers can gain buy-in from academic leadership Whether you're leading enrollment, marketing, communications, or institutional strategy, this conversation offers practical ideas for making your institution more relevant in today's competitive landscape. Subscribe for weekly conversations with higher education marketing leaders sharing practical strategies to help institutions grow.

S4 · E17

Jul 23, 2026

35:08

Students Aren't Choosing the "Best" College Anymore. Here's Why w/ Gjergj Dollani

Today's students aren't searching for the "best" college. They're trying to avoid making the wrong decision. In this episode of Education Marketing Leader, Chris Rapozo sits down with Gjergj Dollani, Principal at ClearCourse Advisory, host of The Enrollment Clinic, and author of Grounds: What a Coffee Shop Taught Me that a Career Never Could, to explore how fear, AI, rising costs, and uncertainty are reshaping the college decision process. Topics include: Why today's students are driven more by fear than aspiration How universities should adapt their marketing strategy The future of higher education and lifelong learning subscriptions College vs. trade school in an AI-driven economy Why higher education should borrow more ideas from outside the industry What business leaders can teach enrollment marketers about ROI and customer experience Whether you're a CMO, enrollment leader, marketing professional, or higher education executive, this conversation offers practical insights into where student expectations are headed and how institutions can respond. Subscribe for more conversations with higher education marketing leaders shaping the future of enrollment, branding, and student engagement.

S4 · E16

Jul 9, 2026

41:09

The Editorial Strategy Behind Great Content, with Christopher Lott

Higher education is full of incredible stories. The challenge isn't finding them. It's telling them in a way that people actually care about. In this episode of the Education Marketing Leader, I sit down with my Stamats colleague, Christopher Lott, Senior Digital Writer, to explore the editorial strategy behind content that connects with students, alumni, faculty, and communities. Chris brings decades of experience in journalism and higher education, and throughout our conversation, he shares practical advice for marketers who are trying to do more with less while creating meaningful content that stands out in an increasingly noisy world. We discuss: ✔️ Why knowing your audience is still the foundation of great storytelling ✔️ How to translate complex academic and research topics into stories people understand ✔️ Lessons learned from interviewing faculty, researchers, and healthcare experts ✔️ Why AI can be a helpful tool, but should never replace human curiosity and editorial judgment ✔️ How higher ed marketers can improve quality without burning themselves out ✔️ Why gratitude and relationships are at the heart of meaningful work One of my favorite takeaways from our conversation: "Don't write for robots. Write for people." If you're responsible for content, communications, enrollment marketing, or storytelling in higher education, I think you'll find plenty of ideas you can put into practice right away. 🎙️ About Christopher Lott Christopher is Senior Digital Writer at Stamats, where he develops content strategies and creates stories for colleges, universities, and healthcare organizations. With a background in journalism and more than 15 years in higher education marketing, he helps institutions connect with audiences through authentic storytelling. 📩 Connect with Christopher: Christopher.Lott@stamats.com #HigherEdMarketing #ContentMarketing #Storytelling #EnrollmentMarketing #HigherEducation #EducationMarketingLeader #Stamats #ContentStrategy #MarketingLeadership

S4 · E15

Jun 25, 2026

39:32

How UF Online Became the Nation's #1 Online Bachelor's Program with Melissa Allen

What does it take to build and sustain the nation's top online bachelor's program? In this episode of the Education Marketing Leader Podcast, I sat down with Melissa Allen, Director of UF Online, to explore the strategies, systems, and student-centered philosophy that have helped make UF Online one of the most respected online education brands in the country. Drawing from more than a decade of leadership experience, Melissa shares how UF Online evolved from a growing initiative into a nationally recognized program by focusing relentlessly on student success, reducing friction, building confidence, and creating experiences designed around the student journey. Together, Chris and Melissa discuss: • What university leaders still misunderstand about online learners • Why student experience should drive organizational design • How UF Online creates "blue dot" experiences that adapt to student needs • The role of advisors, faculty, and support systems in student success • Why consistency and accountability matter more than individual heroics • How online students research institutions differently today • The importance of alumni engagement and authentic student storytelling • Leadership lessons learned while scaling one of higher education's most successful online programs Whether you're a higher education marketer, enrollment leader, student success professional, or institutional leader, this conversation offers practical insights into building a modern online learning experience that delivers results. Connect with Melissa Allen on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

S4 · E14

Jun 11, 2026

36:02

The Reality of Marketing at a Community College with Eve Markman

Community college marketing is one of the hardest jobs in higher ed. You’re not marketing to one audience. You’re marketing to everyone. On the latest episode of the Education Marketing Leader podcast, I sat down with Eve Markman to talk about leadership, enrollment, retention, and building a long-term career in community college marketing. A few quick takeaways: • Community colleges market to everyone from dual enrollment students to adult learners changing careers. • Retention is just as important as recruitment. Many students are balancing work, family, and financial pressure while attending school. • Leadership doesn’t require direct reports. Eve now leads major cross-functional initiatives by building project teams across departments. • Networking and industry relationships played a major role in her career growth over the last 30+ years. • NCMPR continues to be one of the best communities in higher ed marketing for mentorship, learning, and collaboration. One line from Eve that stuck with me: “It’s not just about producing work, but also about creating those relationships and those connections.” Follow and subscribe to the Education Marketing Leader podcast for more conversations with higher ed marketing leaders and enrollment professionals.

S4 · E13

May 28, 2026

39:32

The Future of Work, AI & Personal Branding with Joe Pulizzi

What happens when higher education marketers, communicators, and leaders sit down with Joe Pulizzi to discuss Burn the Playbook? In this special live edition of the Education Marketing Leader Book Club, we explored career pivots, personal branding, AI disruption, entrepreneurship, burnout, fulfillment, financial freedom, and what it means to build a life and career on your own terms. Joe shared candid insights on: Why most people underestimate how much control they actually have over their future Building assets that travel with you beyond a job title Creating multiple income streams for long-term stability How to discover your “tilt” and unique differentiator Why personal branding matters more than ever in the AI era The importance of health, curiosity, and community during career transitions How rejection and failure can actually point you toward opportunity This conversation also featured higher education professionals openly discussing career reinvention, leadership transitions, side businesses, and the changing future of work. If you’re navigating uncertainty, exploring what’s next, or trying to future-proof your career, this conversation is worth your time. Hosted by Chris Rapozo. 📚 Featured Book: Burn the Playbook 🎙️ Education Marketing Leader Book Club 📍 Recorded live with higher education marketing and communications professionals

S4 · E12

May 16, 2026

52:20

Lessons on Leadership, Culture, and Decision-Making with Craig Chanoff, CEO of Modern Campus

“The pace of an organization isn’t about how much work there is. It’s about how quickly decisions get made.” A new episode of the Education Marketing Leader podcast is live with Craig Chanoff, CEO of Modern Campus. This conversation was one of the strongest leadership discussions we’ve had on the show so far. Practical, honest, and directly relevant to higher ed leaders navigating change, enrollment pressure, and organizational complexity. A few standout takeaways from Craig: Organizational speed is driven by how quickly decisions get made, not by how busy people are. Leaders should constantly evaluate whether they are the bottleneck slowing progress down. Strong cultures are built through coaching, accountability, and honest conversations. Higher ed needs both technical expertise and durable skills like adaptability, communication, and collaboration. I appreciated Craig taking the time to share thoughtful leadership insights and a broader perspective on where higher education is headed. Follow and subscribe to the Education Marketing Leader podcast for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of higher ed.

S4 · E11

May 14, 2026

35:28

How to Take Better Photos for your School w/ Matt Stamey

Most higher ed teams don’t have a full-time photographer. But they still need content that performs. In this episode of the Education Marketing Leader podcast, I sat down with Matt Stamey, photographer at Santa Fe College, to break down what makes a great photo. A few takeaways from the episode: • A “good” photo isn’t about quality. It’s about reaction. If it makes someone stop scrolling, it’s working. • Moments beat perfection. A real laugh or handshake will outperform a polished group shot every time. • Most people rush. The difference is patience. Observe first, then shoot. • Your iPhone is enough. If you understand light, angles, and timing, you can compete. • The best photos are guided, not staged. Capture what’s real, then adjust the environment to make it stronger. This is one of those conversations that makes you rethink how much content your team is leaving on the table. If you’re in higher ed marketing, you don’t need more gear. You need better instincts. Follow for more conversations with the people actually doing the work in higher ed marketing.

S4 · E10

Apr 30, 2026

42:29

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