Silos Are The Worst!

About the Episode:

Jaime Hunt is the Founder of Solve Higher Ed Marketing, a consulting firm helping institutions address their biggest challenges, and the host of ‘Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO’ on Enrollify. Jaime is also one of the largest opponents of silos in the higher ed industry today. So much so that she ends every episode of the podcast reminding listeners to “Go Bust Some Silos.” After a 20-year career as a higher education marketing leader, Jaime founded Solve to help institutions work better together. In this episode, we’ll talk about the root causes of silos across higher ed, why leaders and non-leaders must address silos, and how Solve Higher Ed Marketing is helping institutions bust silos. 

‍

Key Takeaways

• Silos in higher education are often caused by structural issues and territorial behavior, where departments operate independently rather than collaboratively.
• Leaders who emphasize "we" over "I" and bring different areas of campus together are key to breaking down silos and fostering collaboration.
• The lack of collaboration between academics, marketing, and admissions can hinder institutional success, particularly when it comes to aligning marketing with program offerings.
• Jaime advocates for leaders to focus on building coalitions and promoting a shared sense of purpose to combat silos effectively.

‍

Episode Summary

What causes silos in higher education, and why are they detrimental?

Jaime Hunt explains that silos are typically rooted in the way higher education institutions structure their organizations. Departments, colleges, and even individuals often operate in isolation, focusing solely on their specific goals rather than collaborating with other units. This creates barriers to communication and hinders the overall effectiveness of an institution. Hunt emphasizes that territoriality also plays a significant role, with many leaders wanting to claim credit for projects without including outside perspectives. This "mine vs. ours" mentality stifles collaboration and innovation, which is why leadership must prioritize breaking down these walls before it’s too late.

‍

How can leaders foster a culture of collaboration and break down silos?

Hunt advocates for leadership that promotes inclusivity and teamwork. She shares an inspiring example of a colleague, Brenda Allen, who used the word "we" consistently during her interview to become president of Lincoln University. This approach, Hunt argues, resonates with teams and builds a sense of unity. She encourages leaders to stop focusing on individual achievements and instead prioritize collective success. This shift in mindset—from "my" to "our"—is a crucial step in dismantling silos and encouraging departments to work together toward shared goals.

‍

What are the long-term impacts of silos, and how can they be addressed?

Hunt underscores that silos can lead to inefficiencies that directly affect students. For instance, when financial aid and billing offices don’t coordinate, students may face unnecessary stress from receiving bills before their aid packages are finalized. This lack of collaboration not only frustrates students but can also damage an institution’s reputation. Hunt notes that silos even exist within larger departments, making it vital for leaders to take intentional action to address them. She highlights successful initiatives like Miami University’s academic program incubator, which brought together admissions, marketing, academic affairs, and finance to collaboratively review and develop new programs—an approach that can serve as a model for other institutions.

‍

How do silos affect talent retention and the higher ed workforce?

Silos can be a major source of frustration for marketing professionals in higher ed, particularly when they are expected to "sell" a product—like a new academic program—without having a say in its development. Hunt explains that this lack of influence over the product, coupled with the burden of meeting enrollment goals, can lead to burnout and drive talented individuals out of the sector. She stresses that when marketing teams are included early in decision-making processes, they are more empowered and equipped to succeed. Without breaking down silos, higher ed risks losing its most talented staff to other industries that offer more collaborative environments and greater autonomy.

‍

How does Solve Higher Ed Marketing aim to break down silos?

Jaime Hunt’s consulting firm, Solve Higher Ed Marketing, focuses on helping institutions address their most pressing challenges, many of which stem from siloed operations. Through services like organizational assessments, student journey mapping, and branding for smaller units, Hunt brings a silo-busting mindset to every project. For example, her student journey mapping projects inherently cross institutional boundaries, requiring collaboration from multiple departments. Hunt also delivers keynote presentations on breaking down silos, spreading her message across the sector in hopes of inspiring change. She believes that dismantling silos is essential for the future success of higher ed, and she’s committed to making that happen.

‍

To dive deeper into the conversation and hear Jaime Hunt’s full insights, be sure to check out the full episode of Breaking Silos and listen to her on Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO on the Enrollify podcast network. Let’s all get out there and bust some silos!

‍

Connect With Our Host:
Shane Baglini

‍

About The Enrollify Podcast Network: Breaking Silos is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Some of our favorites include Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook and The Application with Allison Turcio.

Enrollify is produced by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

‍

Element451 is hosting the AI Engage Summit on Oct 29 and 30. Register now for this free, virtual event.The future of higher ed is being redefined by the transformative power of AI. The AI Engage Summit brings together higher ed leaders,  innovators, and many of your favorite Enrollify creators to explore AI’s impact on student engagement, enrollment marketing, and institutional success.

Experience firsthand how AI is improving content personalization at scale, impacting strategic decision-making, and intuitively automating the mundane tasks that consume our time. The schedule is packed with real examples and case studies, so you leave knowing how to harness AI to drive meaningful change at your institution.

Whether you’re looking to enhance student outcomes, optimize enrollment marketing, or simply stay ahead of the curve, the AI Engage Summit is your gateway to the next level of higher education innovation. Registration is free, save your spot today.