A Look at Higher Ed’s Talent Crisis

Recently, The Chronicle of Higher Education held a virtual panel discussion called “The Talent Crisis in Higher Education.” One of the panelists was Jaime Hunt, host of The Enrollify Podcast Network’s “Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO.” Jaime joined “I Wanna Work There!” to talk about why she once conducted an employee satisfaction survey and how she used the data. We also find out why she obsesses over job descriptions and how empathy impacts performance. Finally, Jaime talks about a brand ambassador program that featured employees and the results it pulled in. 

Key Takeaways

• Prioritize Employee Surveys: Regularly collecting and acting on feedback strengthens morale and addresses key concerns.
• Create Career Pathways: Developing internal advancement opportunities helps retain talent and addresses stagnation.
• Make Job Descriptions Inclusive: Simplifying qualifications in job postings promotes diversity and prevents self-selection bias.
• Lead with Empathy: Empathetic leadership fosters a positive culture, boosts productivity, and reduces turnover.
• Empower Brand Champions: Inviting employees to participate in brand ambassador programs increases engagement and pride.

‍

Episode Summary

Why Are Employee Surveys Important in Higher Education?

Jaime Hunt describes her experience conducting an employee survey at Miami University, where her department noticed an issue with low morale following several organizational changes. Jaime’s team used the survey to dig deeper into the reasons for employee dissatisfaction. Surprisingly, many employees expressed frustration with limited career advancement. To address this, Jaime emphasizes the importance of not only collecting feedback but also committing to meaningful action based on the results. The survey wasn’t just data gathering; it was a starting point to demonstrate her commitment to change and set the foundation for actionable improvements.

‍

How Can Institutions Address Career Advancement Issues?

Jaime’s team discovered that career stagnation was a significant problem, with many employees feeling stuck in roles with limited upward mobility. To combat this, she spearheaded a “Career Pathways” program to outline clear growth opportunities. This initiative allowed employees to advance without waiting for a position to open up above them, introducing various tiers such as "Senior Assistant Director" or "Senior Associate Director." By recognizing achievements with title changes and promotions, Jaime created a sense of progression for employees, reducing turnover and boosting morale. This approach can be transformative for institutions traditionally lacking flexible promotion structures.

‍

Why Should Colleges Rethink Their Job Descriptions?

Jaime addresses the importance of inclusive job descriptions in recruiting diverse talent. She explains that long, inflexible lists of “minimum qualifications” can discourage women, people of color, and immigrants from applying if they feel they don’t meet every single criterion. Simplifying these qualifications helps avoid self-selection bias and expands the candidate pool. Jaime shares her frustration with outdated requirements like “must be able to lift 30 pounds” for roles that don’t require physical activity, which may unnecessarily exclude qualified candidates. She encourages hiring managers to craft job descriptions that focus on essential skills, encouraging applications from a broader and more diverse pool.

‍

What Role Does Empathy Play in Effective Leadership?

Eddie and Jaime discuss the profound impact of empathetic leadership on employee productivity and loyalty. Jaime explains that her experience working under compassionate leaders who supported her through personal challenges made her more dedicated to her work. Leaders who show genuine concern for their teams foster a positive culture, increase productivity, and improve retention rates. Jaime shares that, while empathy should come naturally, there’s also a clear business case for it: when employees feel valued, they’re more likely to stay, perform better, and contribute positively to the workplace environment.

‍

How Can Institutions Cultivate Brand Champions Among Their Staff?

At Winston-Salem State University, Jaime launched a brand ambassador program that began with identifying and celebrating staff members who were genuinely passionate about the institution. By giving these individuals specialized training and a personal invitation from the Chancellor, Jaime’s team successfully created a network of brand advocates who proudly represented the university both on and off campus. This initiative allowed employees to feel recognized, boosting their pride in the institution and fostering an authentic and enthusiastic network of brand champions. Jaime’s experience demonstrates how universities can empower their staff to embody and spread the institution’s values by simply acknowledging and celebrating their dedication.

‍

This episode is brought to you by our friends at DD Agency:

DD Agency is a higher ed-specific marketing technology agency that has conducted countless SEO Audits for colleges and universities across the country. 

In these audits, they detail where you currently rank, what you could be ranking for, exactly how copy should be tweaked on website pages, and much more. 

If this sounds like something you could benefit from, give those folks a ping and be sure to mention that Enrollify sent you to claim a 10% discount on any of their SEO offerings. 

Head on over to enrollify.org/ddaseo, or simply follow the link in the show notes below…that will guarantee you get a 10% discount off of your audit. 

About the Enrollify Podcast Network 

I Wanna Work There" is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Mickey Baines, Zach Busekrus, Jaime Hunt, Allison Turcio, Jaime Gleason and many more. 

Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!