About the Episode
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About the Episode:
In this episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO, host Jaime Hunt sits down with Jen Brock, Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Mount Holyoke College. Together, they explore the evolving role of marketing leaders in higher ed during politically charged times, what it means to be radically mission-driven, and how inclusive, gender-diverse institutions like Mount Holyoke navigate a fraught national landscape. Brock shares candid insights on balancing bold storytelling with institutional responsibility—and why staying true to your values is non-negotiable in today’s higher ed climate.
Key Takeaways
- Mission-Driven Messaging Matters More Than Ever: In a polarized landscape, clear, consistent storytelling anchored in institutional mission is a differentiator and safeguard.
- Inclusive Messaging is Not Just PR—It’s Policy: Mount Holyoke's proactive, transparent communications around gender inclusivity aren't reactive; they're rooted in decades of mission-based work.
- Being Bold Isn’t Optional Anymore: Marketing leaders must ask whether they’re in institutions that allow them to speak clearly and courageously—and if not, why.
- Proactive and Reactive Communications Should Sound the Same: A consistent, values-first message lets teams respond quickly and confidently to controversy.
- Marketing is Not Just a Function—It’s a Force: When students and alumni mirror your messaging in public discourse, it’s proof that your brand is deeply understood and believed in.
Episode Summary
"Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO" EP#94 — Featuring Jen Brock, VP for Marketing and Communications at Mount Holyoke College
In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, host Jaime Hunt and Jen Brock confront some of the most pressing questions facing higher education marketers today. What does it look like to lead with empathy and courage in a time when higher education—and especially women’s colleges that embrace gender diversity—are under fire? This episode answers that and more.
What does it mean to be a gender-diverse women’s college in 2025?
Jen Brock breaks it down: Mount Holyoke remains firmly rooted in its identity as a women’s college while actively welcoming transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming students. Their admissions policy is one of the most inclusive in the country, and that’s not just a footnote—it’s front and center in their storytelling. Jen stresses that Mount Holyoke’s identity isn’t about trend-following; it’s about being “forged in dissent”—and that ethos drives every message they put into the world.
This level of intentionality is vital in an era when the very definitions of womanhood, education access, and inclusion are being hotly contested. Mount Holyoke isn’t shying away from the conversation—they’re guiding it.
How can marketers frame bold, inclusive messaging without alienating key stakeholders?
For Brock, the answer is simple but profound: mission first, always. “We don’t make decisions based on politics—we make decisions based on our mission,” she says. That mission becomes a litmus test for everything—from messaging around student identity, to donor relations, to institutional storytelling.
Jaime and Jen also explore how Mount Holyoke engages alumni who may not immediately align with the college’s more progressive policies. Instead of avoiding difficult conversations, the college invites them. “Disagreement is welcome here,” Brock says. “This isn’t about everyone agreeing—it’s about being aligned with who we are.”
What does it look like to be “clear and outspoken” as a marketing leader?
This episode isn’t just a primer on inclusive marketing—it's a masterclass in courageous leadership. Jen doesn’t mince words: if you’re a CMO who can’t speak boldly about your institution’s values, you need to ask yourself if you’re in the right place. In her words, “If you can't even speak up personally for something you believe in, that’s a sign your job is negatively affecting who you are.”
That might sound radical, but it’s exactly the kind of candor higher ed marketing needs right now. And Mount Holyoke’s approach shows it works—when your institutional messaging is grounded in values, you can afford to be consistent, confident, and unapologetically clear.
How do you protect and empower students in today’s political climate?
In a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under legislative attack in many states, Mount Holyoke is doubling down on its commitments—not just with inclusive policy, but with infrastructure. From open conversations about safety and visibility to allowing students control over how they appear in public-facing content, the college ensures that trans and nonbinary students are not just included—they’re valued.
It’s not just about proactive messaging; it’s about proactive support. Jen shares stories of students founding national organizations while still undergraduates and faculty who encourage voice-finding as core to student development. The Mount Holyoke message is clear: “Once you find your voice, you don’t want to give it up.”
Can higher ed still be a space for exploration in a job-focused culture?
One of the most powerful threads in this episode is the idea that liberal arts education—especially in mission-driven institutions—can still be a launchpad for innovation, even in a workforce-obsessed landscape. Jaime and Jen talk about giving students space to fail, try new things, and combine “wild and wacky” double majors in ways that spark unexpected careers.
Whether it’s a chemistry student who plays in a symphony orchestra, or a future Nobel Prize winner discovering their voice through campus radio, Mount Holyoke models how to tell stories that highlight more than just career readiness—they highlight life readiness.
What should CMOs ask themselves before staying silent?
The episode closes on a powerful note—one that every higher ed marketing leader needs to sit with: Are you working for an institution that lets you speak up? Jen encourages leaders to audit not just their external messaging, but their internal alignment. If your values and your institution’s values are no longer in sync, that’s a red flag—not just for job satisfaction, but for your integrity as a communicator.
If you’re being asked to fly below the radar, the big question is: why?
Connect With Our Host:
Jaime Hunt
https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMC
About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include Talking Tactics and Higher Ed Pulse.
Enrollify is produced by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
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