Disney has mastered the art of creating experiences people remember. From the moment you arrive, every detail is designed with the customer in mind.

So, what if colleges designed the student experience like Disney?

Vance Morris spent more than a decade working at Disney before taking what he learned about systems, processes, marketing, and customer experience into his own businesses and consulting work. Today, he helps organizations create extraordinary experiences that turn customers into what he calls “raving fans for life.”

In this episode, Vance joins Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, to explore what those same principles could look like in higher education. They discuss how seemingly small details, from parking and campus tours to clean facilities and friendly interactions, can shape how students and families perceive an institution. They also explore the student journey, storytelling, campus culture, and how colleges can turn good intentions into action.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why attention to detail can transform a student’s first impression of your college.
• How to evaluate the student journey from the student’s point of view.
• Why starting with one improvement can be more effective than trying to fix everything at once.
• How to create memorable student experiences that people want to talk about and share.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
Instagram: @gradcommunications
Facebook: @GradCommunications
LinkedIn: @gradcomm
Send us a message: GradComm.com

Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

The strongest college marketing doesn’t start with a platform. It starts with understanding the people you’re trying to reach because, let’s face it, not all students scroll the same.

In this Quick Take, GradComm CEO and Higher Ed Conversations host Cheryl Broom digs into data from nearly 4,000 students and $2 million in digital media spending to uncover how age, lifestyle, and personal goals shape what messages students need to hear, where they look for information, and what can get in the way of enrollment. Using the three T’s of college marketing- target, transformation, and tactics- as a framework, Cheryl breaks down why reaching different student audiences on the right platforms is only part of the equation.

What You'll Learn:

• How younger and older students differ in the messages they need to hear and the media they use.
• Which platforms and creative approaches are performing across different age groups.
• How authentic student voices and platform-native content can drive stronger results.
• Where operational barriers can undermine even the strongest marketing campaign.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
Instagram: @gradcommunications
Facebook: @GradCommunications
LinkedIn: @gradcomm
Send us a message: GradComm.com

Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.

LinkedIn has become one of the most valuable tools for professional networking and thought leadership, yet many higher education leaders are still using it like a bulletin board instead of a place to build relationships. In this episode of Higher Ed Conversations, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom talks with Greg Star, entrepreneur and founder of Driven Authentic Branding Solutions (DABS), about how college leaders can use LinkedIn to strengthen their professional connections and support the institutions they serve.

Greg shares how he used his personal LinkedIn account to grow his own company, why personal posts often outperform company updates, and how college presidents, marketing directors, faculty, and development teams can use LinkedIn to share their expertise, tell meaningful stories, and communicate the value of their work. Cheryl and Greg also discuss authenticity, AI, personal branding, and why the best LinkedIn content often comes from the stories leaders are already telling in everyday conversations.

What You’ll Learn:

• How personal storytelling can strengthen a college’s brand and community presence
• Why presidents and senior leaders should be visible on LinkedIn
• How colleges can use LinkedIn to connect with donors, employers, students, and community stakeholders
• Why authenticity matters more than polished corporate messaging
• How AI tools like Claude can support writing without replacing a leader’s voice
  
  

Thanks for listening!

Connect with GradComm:
Instagram: @gradcommunications
Facebook: @GradCommunications
LinkedIn: @gradcomm
Send us a message: GradComm.com

Higher Ed Conversations is hosted by Cheryl Broom, CEO of GradComm, a marketing and branding agency specializing in community colleges and public education.