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The Hidden Gem: Amplifying Community College Success

In today's fast-paced educational landscape, effective marketing and communication strategies are crucial for not only student recruitment but also for fostering a thriving and engaged community. The Hidden Gem is dedicated to empowering community college presidents, leaders, and marcomm professionals with the knowledge and insights they need to harness the full potential of strategic marketing and communication within their institutions.
Episode #11: How to Build a Marketing Dream Team at a Community College

Episode #11: How to Build a Marketing Dream Team at a Community College

In this episode of Hidden Gem, Maya interviews Lilian Clemente, the Executive Director of Strategic Marketing Communications and Interim VP for Strategy and Innovation at Front Range Community College.

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July 1, 2024

Episode #10: From Data to Advocacy: Shaping the Future of Community Colleges Nationwide

Episode #10: From Data to Advocacy: Shaping the Future of Community Colleges Nationwide

About the Episode: In this enlightening episode, we welcome Dr. Martha Parham, the Senior VP of Public Relations for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), to discuss the pivotal role community colleges play in the higher education landscape.

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June 17, 2024

Episode 9: Cultivating Partnerships: The Role Of Community Colleges In Workforce Development

Episode 9: Cultivating Partnerships: The Role Of Community Colleges In Workforce Development

In this episode, the guests from Palm Beach State College discuss community colleges’ essential role in workforce development and economic support. Join Maya and her three guests, Edward Willey, Belinda Mouradian, and Matt Lenihan, as they explore the strategies and challenges of building robust partnerships with local businesses and the community. Learn how to stay connected to your community’s needs and how to promote colleges existing programs and custom training opportunities to support local employers. This episode is a must-listen for educators, community leaders, and anyone interested in the symbiotic relationship between educational institutions and economic growth.

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June 3, 2024

Episode 8: Strategies for Strengthening Regional Workforce Development and Partnerships

Episode 8: Strategies for Strengthening Regional Workforce Development and Partnerships

About the Episode:In this enlightening episode, Blair Lee, the Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement at the Community College of Aurora

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May 20, 2024

Episode 7: Why Every Community College Needs to Care About Their Employer Brand

Episode 7: Why Every Community College Needs to Care About Their Employer Brand

About the Episode:This eye-opening episode dives into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of higher education success - employer branding and employee satisfaction within community colleges. Joined by Eddie Francis, the voice behind the 'I Wanna Work There' podcast, Maya and Eddie explore

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May 6, 2024

Episode 6: From Chairs to Buildings: Visualizing the Impact of Integrated Marketing and Communications

Episode 6: From Chairs to Buildings: Visualizing the Impact of Integrated Marketing and Communications

About the Episode:This podcast episode tackles the essential unity of marketing and communications, advocating for a seamless Marcomm strategy that encompasses all channels, both digital and traditional, under a singular, well-defined brand identity. The dialogue underscores that marketing

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April 22, 2024

Episode 5: Business-Savvy Approach to Transforming Marketing and Enrollment Strategies

Episode 5: Business-Savvy Approach to Transforming Marketing and Enrollment Strategies

About the Episode: In this episode, we delve into a County College of Morris journey to transform its marketing and enrollment management strategies. The discussion offers an insider's look at the bold decision to hire from outside the traditional higher ed path, which sparked a significant

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April 8, 2024

Episode 4: Brand Building in Community Colleges: The Power of Perception

Episode 4: Brand Building in Community Colleges: The Power of Perception

About the Episode: In this insightful episode, host Maya Demishkevich engages in a deep conversation with branding expert Nancie McDonnell Ruder. They delve into the unique challenges and opportunities of branding for community colleges, emphasizing its crucial role in reshaping perceptions

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March 25, 2024

Episode 3: Beyond Promotion: Marketing's Crucial Role in Shaping Community College

Episode 3: Beyond Promotion: Marketing's Crucial Role in Shaping Community College

About the Episode: Dive into the heart of community college marketing, where hosts Maya Demishkevich, Dan Baum, and Keith Paul illuminate the expansive role of marketing within community colleges. This episode transcends traditional notions of marketing, revealing its significance far

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March 11, 2024

Episode 2: Reimagining Student Experience: Integrating Marketing and Student Care

Episode 2: Reimagining Student Experience: Integrating Marketing and Student Care

About the Episode:In this episode, we sit down with Devin Purgason from Forsyth Technical College to explore how they've successfully reimagined the student discovery and inquiry stages of the student lifecycle. Devin, the Executive Director of Marketing and Student Care,

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February 26, 2024

Episode 1: The Marketing-Savvy President: A Refreshing Approach to Leadership

Episode 1: The Marketing-Savvy President: A Refreshing Approach to Leadership

About the Episode: In this episode, "The Marketing-Savvy President," Dr. Anthony Cruz discusses his successful use of marketing strategies and social media to boost enrollment and community engagement at Miami Dade College's Kendall Campus. He highlights the role of strategic marketing

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February 12, 2024

Trailer: Introducing The Hidden Gem: Amplifying Community College Success

Trailer: Introducing The Hidden Gem: Amplifying Community College Success

Welcome to The Hidden Gem, a podcast dedicated to empowering community college presidents, executive team members, enrollment, marketing and communication leaders with the knowledge and insights they need to harness the full potential of strategic marketing and communications

listen now

February 5, 2024

People in this episode

Interviewee

Anthony Cruz

Dr. Cruz currently serves as the Campus President of the Miami Dade College - Kendall Campus in Florida. During his twenty-seven years of higher education experience, Dr. Cruz has used his expertise to increase educational opportunities, enhance the student experience and bolster student success. Dr. Cruz is a native of Chicago, Illinois who grew up in Miami, Florida. Dr. Cruz works collaboratively with community partners to build pathways and remove barriers for students to thrive academically,

Interviewee

Anthony J. Iacono

Dr. Anthony J. Iacono became the third president of County College of Morris in September 2016. He is committed to the mission of community colleges because of their ability to change lives and strengthen communities. Dr. Iacono is convinced that the keys to success are rooted in faith, life-long learning, strong community partnerships, and understanding the responsibility of caring for others.

Interviewee

Blair Lee

Blair Lee is a higher-ed creative strategist, administrator and professor. By day he leads the Community College of Aurora’s marketing, public affairs and digital strategy efforts as the Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement. He is also the host of the monthly education podcast Fulfilled: Your Inside Glimpse Into Higher Ed. Mr. Lee regularly lectures on funding disparities in higher education and writes frequently on institutional access, brand advancement and student success initiatives. Blair is a proud two-time alumnus of the University of Baltimore. He is currently pursuing his PhD within the School of Education at Notre Dame of Maryland University. You can follow him online on all social platform @TheHIgherEdCreative

Interviewee

Dan Baum

Dan Baum serves as executive director of Strategic Communications at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), a nationally recognized two-year college near Annapolis, Md. Dan leads an award-winning team of marketing communications professionals who have helped strengthen the college’s reputation by developing and delivering integrated marketing communications that support student engagement and success.

Interviewee

Devin Purgason

⁠⁠⁠⁠Devin Purgason, is the Executive Director of Marketing & Student Care at Forsyth Technical Community College. He is passionate about students, equity, learning, and a nice cup of coffee.

Interviewee

Edward Willey

Dean Edward Willey began his affiliation with Palm Beach State College in 1987 as a community education representative from Boca Raton Community Hospital (now Boca Regional) and as a member of the first Allied Health Advisory Committee on the Eissey Campus in Palm Beach Gardens. In 1989 he was hired as the first program clinical coordinator. During his almost 35-year tenure with Palm Beach State College, he has held numerous positions of leadership, including the positions of Coordinator with full time instructional responsibilities, Program Manager, Division Chairman, Associate Dean, Dean of Academic Affairs, Interim Dean of Health Sciences and Interim Provost. He was appointed Dean of Academic Affairs in 2000 and currently serves all five campuses as the District Dean of Health Sciences. He has earned both a graduate degree and undergraduate degree in Allied Health Science and Health Services Administration respectively and is a Ph.D. candidate in Education Administration and Leadership. At Palm Beach State College, he has served on numerous committees, including the PBSC Dental & Medical Sciences Project, Leadership Palm Beach County, Professional Development Committee, District Equity Committee, Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, Council of Instructional Affairs with memberships in National Council of Instructional Administrators, Florida Deans and Directors of Allied Health.

Interviewee

Keith Paul

Keith Paul joined Northern Essex Community College (NECC) as Chief Marketing Officer in 2022 after serving as Director of Marketing and Communications at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). He considers marketing a “contact sport” and brings more than 25 years experience to NECC spanning both the public and private sectors.

Lilian Clemente

Lilian Clemente is a marketing and communications executive with 15+ years of experience in higher education.

Interviewee

Lisa Slappy

Lisa Slappy is the Chief Communications Officer at Carroll Community College and began working at Carroll in 2022. In this capacity, she is responsible for building internal and external support, conducting public and community relations activities, and enhancing the visibility, image, and reputation of the College.

Martha Parham

Dr. Martha M. Parham is the senior vice president, public relations for the American Association of Community Colleges.

The Host

Maya Demischkevich

Maya Demishkevich is the Chief Marketing Officer at Carroll Community College and the host of The Hidden Gem.

Interviewee

Melissa Albright

Melissa Albright has over 10 years of successful experience in both sales and marketing in private industry and has 10 years of experience as an educator. As a community college graduate, she knows first-hand the positive impact community colleges can have on students and their families. She is dedicated to ensuring communities are aware of the life-changing benefits of attending a community college such as CCM. Through teaching and serving, she has grown to understand that everyone has their own life story and Melissa makes it her mission to create and cultivate a positive culture that leads to strong and effective team results. In August of 2020, Melissa joined CCM as the first Executive Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

Interviewee

Nancie McDonnell Ruder

Nancie McDonnell Ruder has dedicated her career to strengthening brands and the people who build them. With over 25 years of experience in marketing strategy, marketing training, branding and consumer research, Nancie has vast experience accelerating growth for companies by helping build their internal marketing strength – so external marketing efforts are focused and most effective. Nancie began her professional career with the Leo Burnett Company in Chicago, Illinois, where she spearheaded Leo Burnett’s global new business efforts. Since launching Noetic Consulting, a marketing and leadership consultancy in 2002, Nancie has provided strategic guidance to clients large and small, including: AT&T, Discovery Channel, Georgetown University, Nike, Vail Resorts, Samsung Electronics, SC Johnson, Mayo Clinic, the Walt Disney Company and others. Noetic is proudly female owned and WBENC-Certified as a diversity owned business.

Interviewee

Peter Toran

As idfive’s Lead Strategist, Peter applies his extensive experience in education marketing, nonprofit positioning and development, and institutional branding to various client projects. Before joining idfive, Peter served as the Vice President of Communications and Planning at the University of Baltimore for 13 years. While at the university, Peter supervised the university’s marketing, advertising, web relations, social media, public and media relations, crisis management, and special events.

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