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Higher Voltage

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.

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The Future of Volt & the Higher Ed Community: A Little More Punk Rock

In a special summer episode of Higher Voltage, Volt General Manager Louis Miller joins host Kevin Tyler to share the vision for Volt’s next chapter. From narrowing content to serving the marketers "in the trenches" to why higher ed needs a little more "punk rock," Miller breaks down how Volt is evolving into a knowledge hub, creative inspiration engine, and career community. Plus, a sneak peek at…

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Defining the Product: How Marketers Can Break the Higher Ed Sea of Sameness

In 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…

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Tasty Branding: Inside Fordham’s Pop-Up Pizza Shop

In 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.

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The Search Party is Over: Seth Odell on AEO and Life After SEO

In 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…

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Breaking Down Silos: What It Really Takes to Build a Connected College

On 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.

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What’s Fueling the Next Wave of HBCU Enrollment Growth

HBCU 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.

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An Inside Look at the ‘Research Saves Lives’ Campaign

In 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…

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Actually, Americans Do Trust Higher Education

Kevin 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.

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FU: Colorado Mesa’s Bold Stand Against Elitism in Higher Ed

Colorado 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.

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The State of Student Support Services

What 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.

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