Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager

Host Jenny Li Fowler is joined by Christina Le, a strategic social media pro currently leading marketing efforts at the social listening startup Plot. Together, they dig deep into what it really takes to launch a successful social media campaign—especially when you’re operating with little to no budget. From identifying the "why" behind a campaign to finding creators on LinkedIn who will amplify your message (even for free), this episode is a goldmine for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact with minimal resources.

Guest Name: Christina Le, Head of Marketing, Plot

Guest Soci...

In this episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager, host Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Samuel Harriman and Olivia Finch from Oxford University to unpack the inner workings of their incredibly unique roles as a two-person university-wide campaigns team. Titled “How Oxford University Built a Campaigns Team to Reshape Their Global Brand,” this conversation dives deep into the hows and whys of Oxford’s centralized campaign strategy—one that touches all 57 departments and positions the institution as a forward-thinking, globally connected research powerhouse. If you're curious about higher education content marketing, centralized campaign models, or the stra...

In this episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager, host Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Soup Campbell, Head of Community Experience at ZeeMee and a former dean of admissions, to explore what it’s like navigating the college admissions process from the other side — as a parent. With decades of experience in enrollment management and ed tech, Soup shares what surprised him most about supporting his son through the admissions journey, how social media fits into the modern college search, and what higher ed marketers can do better.

Guest Name: Harrison "Soup" Campbell, Head...

Jenny sits down with Josh Rangel, a seasoned social media expert, to unpack the evolution of social media marketing. From the early days of Twitter to today’s high-speed, high-volume content landscape, Josh shares insights on what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and why organic social media still matters. He also offers advice for social media managers, emphasizing the importance of building a team, measuring success effectively, and—above all—having fun.

Guest Name: Josh Rangel, Senior Director, Social at Ogilvy

Guest Socials: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrangel/ 
Threads: https://www...

Jenny sits down with Michelle Mc Mahon, Digital Marketing and Content Officer at the University of Limerick (UL), to discuss how her team has mastered authentic social media storytelling. Michelle shares her journey from PR to higher ed marketing, the strategy behind UL’s student-driven content, and how her team collaborates across departments to create compelling campaigns. If you’re looking for fresh strategies to elevate your university’s social media presence, this episode is packed with insights.‍

Key Takeaways

Authenticity is about people-first storytelling. Instead of pushing institutional messaging, UL prioritizes real stories from students.Social m...

In this episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager, host Jenny sits down with Alexandra Modafferi, Social Media and Content Strategist at Ramapo College, to discuss an innovative social media collaboration with Montclair State University. They dive into how a shared mascot name sparked a fun, engaging campaign, the role of trending audio in boosting engagement, and best practices for collaborating with other institutions. Alexandra also shares insights on using student-created music, navigating business account restrictions on social media, and the pros and cons of scheduling content.

Related Link: https://www.instagram.com/p...

Host Jenny sits down with Mikki Collins, a former higher ed social media manager at the University of Chichester, who shares her transformative journey in leveraging social media as a key recruitment tool. From developing student influencer programs to driving engagement on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, Mikki provides actionable insights into creating authentic connections and making the most of limited resources. Listen in as they discuss how higher ed social media professionals can shift their mindset from communications to strategic marketing.

Key Takeaways

Student Influencers are Gold: Current students and graduates are often the most...

Related links:

Digital Community Cohort

Student Affairs Marketing and Communications survey

Marcomm Barbie Slack Group

‍In this episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager, Jenny Li Fowler chats with Josie Ahlquist, a trailblazer in the higher education community. Josie shares her inspiring journey into higher ed, shaped by her family’s roots, her passion for student engagement, and her knack for empowering institutions to foster authentic online communities. The conversation dives deep into the dynamics between student affairs and central communications, exploring ways to bridge gaps, build relationships, and...

Host Jenny engages with Lia Haberman, a creator economy expert, to unpack the role of influencer marketing in higher education. Fresh off a visit to the White House, Lia shares insights into the evolution of the creator economy, how influencers shape audience engagement, and actionable strategies for integrating influencer marketing into university communications.

Key Takeaways

Influencer Marketing vs. Creator Economy: Understand the difference between influencers promoting brands and the larger ecosystem enabling creators to thrive.Why Higher Ed Needs Influencers: Institutions can leverage influencers, including students, alumni, and faculty, to amplify messages authentically.Building Relationships with...

Mallory Willsea guest-hosts a candid conversation with Jenny, host of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager and author of a book celebrating its one-year anniversary. Jenny reflects on the evolution of social media in higher education, how her book has resonated with professionals worldwide, and offers insights into the future of the industry. From navigating leadership dynamics to platform shifts like Blue Sky, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for marketing and social media professionals alike.

Key Takeaways

Social Media as a Professional Role: Social media management is no longer a junior-level role...