Education Marketing Leader with Chris Rapozo

Community colleges don’t always get the spotlight. But they change lives every day.To kick off our Community College Month series, I sat down with Wallace Caleb Bates, Director of Marketing and Communications at Hazard Community and Technical College and 2026 NCMPR National Rising Star.Wallace’s story comes full circle. He started as a student at HCTC and returned just a few years later to lead marketing and communications. He shared that walking into the president’s office on his first day felt surreal, asking himself, “Am I really here?” after being a student not long before.In this episode, we discuss:• Going from community college student to leadership • Returning home to serve the institution that shaped him • Challenging the stigma that community college is a “second choice” • Marketing in a rural community built on relationships and trust • Building visibility through storytelling and community engagement • Why empathy matters as much as analytics in marketing • The growing impact of community colleges across the countryWallace also shared an important reminder: Many students intentionally choose community colleges for affordability, opportunity, and staying connected to their communities.This conversation sets the tone for our Community College Month series.Listen now.

In this special edition of the Education Marketing Leader podcast, our book club welcomed a very special guest. Ann Handley joined us live to discuss her bestselling book Everybody Writes and engage directly with higher education marketers from across the country. Ann didn’t just stop by. She stayed, listened, and generously gave her time to react to audience insights, answer questions, and expand on the ideas that have shaped how so many of us think about writing and marketing. The conversation covered: Why writing slowly can actually make you a better marketer How empathy for the reader changes everything Why Charlotte’s Web might be the best marketing story ever told The difference between writing more and writing with intention How stronger writing builds trust, connection, and clarity This wasn’t a traditional interview. It was a real book club conversation. Marketers sharing takeaways. Ann responding in real time. And a reminder that better writing starts with caring about the people you’re trying to reach. If you care about content, storytelling, and creating marketing that actually connects, this is a conversation worth watching.

John Azoni (Founder, Unveild) breaks down how higher ed teams should be using video during yield season.Not more content. Better placement.What we cover:Where video actually impacts admits → depositsWhy most schools fall off after inquiryThe “random acts of video” problemHow to use 1:1 video from counselorsWhy student voices outperform leadershipSimple ways to reduce friction (FAFSA, apps, next steps)What metrics actually matter (hint: not views)If your yield strategy is still email-heavy and text-driven, this will challenge it.🎙️ Follow and subscribe to the Education Marketing Leader for more conversations like this.

In our latest episode, Jenny Li Fowler, Dir. of Social Media Strategy at MIT, breaks down the difference between strategy and tactics in organic social media. And why confusing the two is exactly how teams end up busy, stressed, and stuck.Her point is simple. When your strategy is clear, everything gets easier: • You know who you’re trying to reach, not “everyone” • You define what success actually looks like • You stop chasing random posts and start building momentumOrganic social can drive real results. But only when it’s anchored to mission, metrics, and discipline.How are you keeping strategy first in your social plan? Drop your approach in the comments.If this conversation resonated, connect with Jenny Li Fowler on LinkedIn and tell her you heard her on the Education Marketing Leader podcast.And if you’re serious about higher ed marketing, follow the show for more operator-level conversations like this.Resources: Organic Social Media: How to Build Flourishing Online Communities

Direct mail is not dead. Most institutions just stopped using it strategically. I talked with Dylon Jones from Spectrum Marketing Companies about how direct mail actually works in higher ed today. Key takeaways for enrollment and marketing teams • Direct mail fails when strategy fails. Not the channel. • The biggest mistake is sending one piece and expecting results. • A strong baseline is 3 mail drops across 3 months. • Mail must drive to a targeted landing page, not your homepage. • The best campaigns integrate mail, digital ads, and admissions follow-up.• Start with parents early in the recruitment cycle, then shift messaging to students later. Direct mail should never live on an island. It works best as part of a multi-touch strategy. Contact Dylon if you need help via [email protected] or cell 806-500-9880. Follow Education Marketing Leader and subscribe so you do not miss the next episode. 🎧