Higher education is shifting how it communicates, recruits, and supports students. This week’s top stories show how schools are testing new tools and improving old ones. Whether it’s texting students or using AI, the goal is the same—build stronger connections and help students succeed.
One major focus is conversion-driven design. Many college websites still prioritize flashy looks over function. But some teams are changing that. They’re testing what works, using data, and working across departments to improve student sign-ups. It’s not easy, but it’s working.
Email is also still a big deal. Two different articles pointed out how email marketing is helping both with recruitment and keeping students engaged. Personalized emails that speak to the individual—using data to figure out what they need—are working better than one-size-fits-all blasts.
Then there’s AI. Schools are starting to use it to understand what students need, often before they even ask. AI helps send the right message at the right time. But there’s a catch—schools need to keep the human side of education front and center.
Text messaging is also getting smarter. Colleges are learning to use short, direct messages without overwhelming students. With the right balance, texts can help students register, stay on track, and feel supported.
And in Colorado, Denver Public Schools got the green light to give out associate’s degrees. That’s a big step, showing how high schools are stretching their programs to better prepare students for jobs and college.
The big picture: schools are blending tech and personal touch to reach students in ways that feel natural and helpful.
Listen to this week’s roundup as a podcast:
5 Common Takeaways
- Personalization makes all forms of outreach more effective.
- Email still works—especially when messages are targeted.
- AI can help predict and respond to student needs.
- Good design isn’t just pretty; it helps drive sign-ups.
- Quick tools like texting are powerful when used with care.
5 Controversial Ideas
- Some teams still resist changing old website designs.
- Relying on AI for student support raises concerns about reducing human interaction.
- Marketing teams often work in silos, slowing down needed updates.
- Students may feel overwhelmed by constant digital outreach.
Conversion-driven design: 5 barriers (and breakthroughs) for higher ed marketers
2025-05-15T04:47:00.000Z
Conversion-Driven Design: 5 Barriers and Breakthroughs for Higher Ed Marketers
- The article focuses on the challenges faced by higher education marketers in implementing conversion-driven design strategies.
- Conversion-driven design is essential for increasing enrollment and engagement in the competitive higher education landscape.
Synopsis
- Barriers to Conversion-Driven Design:
- Lack of collaboration between marketing and web teams
- Resistance to change and traditional design approaches
- Inadequate measurement and tracking of conversion metrics
- Designing for aesthetics over functionality
- Insufficient understanding of audience needs and behavior
- Breakthroughs for Higher Ed Marketers:
- Building a cross-functional team focused on conversion optimization
- Embracing data-driven decision-making and leveraging analytics tools
- Prioritizing user experience and usability testing
- Implementing personalization strategies for targeted messaging
- Continuous testing and optimization of website elements for improved conversions
- Noteworthy Positions:
- Author emphasizes the importance of collaboration and data-driven approaches in higher education marketing.
- The focus is on practical strategies and tactics for overcoming barriers to conversion-driven design.
Takeaways
- Higher education marketers should prioritize collaboration, data-driven decision-making, user experience, and continuous testing to improve conversion rates.
- Embracing conversion-driven design can lead to increased enrollment and engagement for universities.
- Practical tips and strategies provided can help higher ed marketers overcome common challenges in implementing conversion-driven design.
🎓 Higher ed marketers can overcome design barriers with teamwork, data, and UX focus. #HigherEdMarketing #ConversionOptimization
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Key Metrics for Higher Ed Marketing Success
https://www.rgiconsulting.net/key-metrics-to-track-in-higher-ed-marketing-campaigns
2025-05-14T18:08:49.000Z
Article: Key Metrics to Track in Higher Ed Marketing Campaigns
Synopsis:
- The article discusses important metrics to track in higher education marketing campaigns to drive success and measure ROI.
- Metrics like website traffic, lead conversion rate, social media engagement, and cost per acquisition are crucial for assessing campaign performance.
Background Resources:
- The article references industry reports on digital marketing trends in the higher education sector.
- It also mentions case studies from universities implementing successful marketing strategies.
Noteworthy Positions:
- The author emphasizes the importance of setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals to track key metrics effectively.
- They stress the need for continuous monitoring and adjustments to optimize campaign performance.
Summary & Takeaways:
- Tracking key metrics in higher ed marketing campaigns is essential for assessing success and ROI.
- Setting SMART goals, monitoring metrics regularly, and making data-driven adjustments are key strategies for campaign optimization.
🎓📊 Tracking site traffic & social engagement is key to higher ed marketing success. #HigherEdMarketing #ROI
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Why AI in Higher Education Is a Game-Changer for Student Engagement
2025-05-14T16:07:45.000Z
The Human Touch: Why AI in Higher Education is a Game Changer for Student Engagement
Synopsis:
- Discusses the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education to enhance student engagement.
- Highlights the benefits of using AI technology in personalizing student experiences and improving learning outcomes.
- Explores how AI can assist in predicting student needs and providing tailored support throughout their academic journey.
- Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a human touch in education despite technological advancements.
Background Resources:
- Reports on the impact of AI in education.
- Studies on student engagement and retention in higher education.
Noteworthy Positions:
- AI should be used as a tool to complement human interaction, not replace it.
- Personalized learning experiences lead to better student outcomes.
- Predictive analytics powered by AI can help institutions better support students.
Summary and Takeaways:
- AI in higher education can enhance student engagement by providing personalized support and improving learning experiences.
- The human touch remains essential in education, and AI should be used to augment, not replace, human interactions.
- Predictive analytics can help institutions predict student needs and tailor support accordingly.
🤖🎓 AI boosts student engagement in higher ed by personalizing experiences & predicting needs. #HigherEdAI #StudentEngagement
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Email Marketing & Student Retention in Higher Education
2025-05-14T15:34:05.000Z
How Email Marketing Nurtures Student Retention in Higher Education
- Synopsis:
- The article discusses the importance of email marketing in nurturing student retention in higher education.
- It highlights the different strategies and tactics that universities can use to engage with students effectively through email.
- Utilizes data and statistics to support the effectiveness of email marketing in student retention.
- Emphasizes the need for personalized and targeted communication to build relationships with students.
- Background Resources:
- Research studies on student retention in higher education.
- Best practices in email marketing for educational institutions.
- Unique/Noteworthy Positions:
- The author emphasizes the role of personalized communication in email marketing for student retention.
- Advocates for the use of data analytics to create targeted email campaigns that meet the specific needs of students.
- Summary/Takeaways:
- Email marketing is a powerful tool for nurturing student retention in higher education.
- Personalization and targeted communication are key to building relationships with students.
- Utilizing data analytics can help universities create effective email campaigns that engage students and improve retention rates.
📧🎓 Email marketing boosts student retention with personalized messaging & smart analytics. #HigherEdMarketing
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10 Higher Ed Text Messaging Best Practices: Key Dos and Don’ts
https://moderncampus.com/blog/10-higher-ed-text-messaging-best-practices-key-dos-and-donts.html
2025-05-13T23:37:04.000Z
10 Higher Ed Text Messaging Best Practices: Key Dos and Don’ts
Synopsis:
- The article discusses ten best practices for implementing text messaging in higher education.
- It emphasizes the importance of personalized messages, clear calls to action, and respecting students’ privacy.
- Background resources cited include studies on the effectiveness of text messaging in student communication.
Noteworthy Positions:
- The author suggests using automation tools to streamline text messaging campaigns.
- They also recommend integrating text messaging with other communication channels for a cohesive student experience.
Summary:
- Personalize messages
- Use clear calls to action
- Respect student privacy
- Utilize automation tools
- Integrate text messaging with other channels
Takeaways:
- Text messaging in higher ed is effective when done right
- Integration with other channels is key
- Personalization and clear communication are crucial
📱🎓 Text messaging is powerful in higher ed! Follow these dos & don’ts to maximize impact. #HigherEd #TextMessagingBestPractices
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Don’t Count Email Out: Why It Still Matters in Student Recruitment
2025-05-13T14:45:36.000Z
Why Email Still Matters in Student Recruitment
- Despite the rise of social media and other digital marketing platforms, email is still a powerful tool in student recruitment
- Email allows for personalized communication with prospective students
- Email campaigns can be highly targeted and trackable, providing valuable data for recruitment purposes
Background Resources:
- Studies on the effectiveness of email marketing in recruitment
- Statistics on email open rates and engagement among students
- Case studies of successful email campaigns in student recruitment
Unique/Noteworthy Positions:
- Author argues that email should not be overlooked in favor of newer digital marketing tactics
- Emphasizes the importance of building relationships with prospective students through personalized email communications
Summary:
- Email remains a valuable tool in student recruitment, offering personalized communication and tracking capabilities that can help colleges and universities reach their target audience effectively.
Takeaways:
- Email marketing should not be neglected in student recruitment strategies
- Personalization is key in successful email campaigns
- Tracking and analyzing email data can provide valuable insights for recruitment efforts
📧 Don’t underestimate email’s power in student recruitment! Personalization & data tracking make a big difference. #HigherEd #EmailMarketing
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Content Marketing Trends in Higher Ed: What Works in 2025
https://www.manaferra.com/content-marketing-trends-in-higher-ed/
2025-05-11T10:00:54.000Z
Content Marketing Trends in Higher Education
- Synopsis:
- The article discusses the current trends in content marketing specific to higher education institutions.
- It explores the importance of personalized content and storytelling for engaging with students.
- The use of video content, social media, and influencer partnerships are highlighted as effective strategies in this field.
- Data analytics and measuring ROI are crucial aspects of content marketing in higher ed.
- The author emphasizes the need for constant adaptation and innovation to stay relevant in the competitive landscape of higher education marketing.
- Background Resources:
- Statistics on digital marketing trends in education.
- Case studies of successful content marketing campaigns in higher ed.
- Interviews with marketing professionals in the education sector.
- Noteworthy Positions:
- The author advocates for a more data-driven approach to content marketing in higher ed.
- Emphasis is placed on authentic storytelling to create connections with prospective students.
- The importance of staying up-to-date with current trends and technologies in the digital marketing space is stressed.
- Summary and Takeaways:
- Higher education institutions need to prioritize personalized content and storytelling in their marketing efforts.
- Utilizing video content, social media, and influencer partnerships can help reach and engage with students effectively.
- Data analytics is essential for tracking the success of content marketing campaigns in higher ed.
- Constant innovation and adaptation are key to staying competitive in the evolving landscape of education marketing.
🎓📹 Engage students with personalized content & storytelling. Use video, influencers & data to stay ahead! #HigherEdMarketingTrends
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Everything You Should Know About Content Marketing for Higher Education
https://www.carnegiehighered.com/blog/content-marketing-higher-education
2025-05-08T17:49:46.000Z
Article Synopsis
Background:
- The article discusses the importance of content marketing in higher education.
- It cites examples of successful content marketing strategies used by universities.
Key Points:
- Content marketing allows universities to attract and engage prospective students.
- Effective content marketing can differentiate a university from competitors.
- The article emphasizes the need for universities to create content that is relevant, valuable, and authentic.
- Utilizing various channels such as social media, blogs, and video content can enhance a university’s content marketing efforts.
- The author highlights the significance of storytelling in content marketing for higher education.
Noteworthy Position:
- The author emphasizes the role of storytelling and authenticity in content marketing for universities, as opposed to purely promotional content.
Takeaways:
- Content marketing is crucial for universities to connect with prospective students.
- Universities should focus on creating authentic and valuable content to stand out in a competitive landscape.
📚 Universities must use storytelling & authenticity to engage prospective students effectively. #HigherEdMarketing 🎓
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What ChatGPT’s New Shopping Feature Means for Marketers
2025-05-08T15:04:08.000Z
What ChatGPT’s New Shopping Feature Means for Marketers
Synopsis:
- ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI, has introduced a new shopping feature that allows users to interact with chatbots for product recommendations and purchases.
- This feature opens up new possibilities for marketers to engage with consumers in a more conversational and personalized way.
- The article discusses the implications of this new feature on e-commerce and provides insights into how marketers can leverage ChatGPT for their strategies.
Background Resources:
- OpenAI’s ChatGPT AI language model
- E-commerce trends and consumer behavior in digital shopping environments
Noteworthy Positions:
- ChatGPT’s new shopping feature provides a unique opportunity for marketers to create more interactive and personalized shopping experiences for consumers.
- The article emphasizes the importance of adapting marketing strategies to leverage AI technologies like ChatGPT in the e-commerce landscape.
Summary and Takeaways:
- ChatGPT’s new shopping feature has the potential to revolutionize the way consumers interact with brands online.
- Marketers can utilize this AI technology to enhance customer engagement, drive sales, and deliver tailored shopping recommendations.
- By incorporating ChatGPT into their marketing strategies, businesses can stay ahead of the curve in the increasingly competitive e-commerce market.
🛍️💬 New #ChatGPT shopping feature transforms e-commerce marketing with personalized chats & product suggestions. #AI #MarketingStrategy
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How to Use Higher Ed Brand Research
https://www.carnegiehighered.com/blog/higher-ed-brand-research
2025-05-08T14:52:32.000Z
The Power of Branding in Higher Education
- The article explores the importance of branding in higher education institutions.
- Discusses how branding can impact recruitment, alumni engagement, and fundraising efforts.
- Cites examples of successful branding strategies from various universities.
- Emphasizes the need for consistency and authenticity in branding efforts.
Noteworthy Points:
- Branding helps colleges differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
- Building a strong brand can lead to increased student and faculty retention.
- Alumni are more likely to stay engaged with a university that has a strong brand identity.
Key Takeaways:
- Branding is crucial for establishing a positive reputation in higher education.
- Consistency and authenticity are key components of a successful branding strategy.
🚀 Strong branding makes a big impact for higher ed institutions. Discover the power of branding in academia. #HigherEd #BrandingPower
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Best CMS for Higher Education: A Comprehensive Guide
https://www.manaferra.com/best-cms-for-higher-education/
2025-05-08T09:34:20.000Z
Choosing the Best CMS for Higher Education Websites
Synopsis
- The article discusses the importance of selecting the right content management system (CMS) for higher education institutions.
- It highlights key factors to consider when choosing a CMS, such as scalability, user-friendliness, flexibility, and integrations.
- Different CMS platforms are compared in terms of features and suitability for higher education websites, including WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla.
- The article also touches on the importance of mobile responsiveness and accessibility compliance for higher education websites.
- Case studies and examples of successful higher education websites are included to illustrate the impact of choosing the right CMS.
Unique/Noteworthy Positions
- The author emphasizes the need for higher education institutions to prioritize integration capabilities and security features when selecting a CMS.
- The article suggests that a well-chosen CMS can enhance user experience, streamline content management, and improve overall website performance.
Takeaways
- Prioritize scalability, user-friendliness, and integration capabilities when selecting a CMS for a higher education website.
- Ensure mobile responsiveness and accessibility compliance to cater to a diverse audience.
- Case studies and examples can provide valuable insights into successful CMS implementations in higher education.
🎓💻 Choose the right CMS to boost UX, streamline content, and improve your higher ed website’s performance. #HigherEd #CMSselection
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Wrapping Up
This week’s news shows higher ed is experimenting with new ways to connect with students. The tools are changing, but the mission stays the same: reach students early, support them often, and help them succeed.
