About the Episode
About the Episode: Join Mallory and Seth as they discuss the recent trend of rapid presidential turnover in higher education and its implications for marketing and communications teams. With half the Ivy League experiencing leadership changes and shorter tenures becoming the norm, this episode explores why this is happening and offers actionable advice for marketers facing these transitions. Discover how to align with new leadership, secure quick wins, and position yourself as a key player in institutional success.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding the Trend: Learn why university presidents are leaving their posts more quickly and what factors contribute to this trend.
- Impact on Marketers: Discover the challenges and opportunities for marketing teams when a new president comes on board.
- Strategic Alignment: Tips on how to align your marketing goals with the new president’s vision and priorities.
- Quick Wins: Strategies for achieving short-term victories that support long-term initiatives.
- Change Management: How to position yourself as a change agent and drive impactful projects.
- Career Path: Insights into the potential for marketers to ascend to university presidencies and why this could benefit institutions.
Episode Summary
Why Presidential Turnover is Accelerating
Mallory and Seth explore the factors behind the rapid turnover of college presidents, citing political pressures, enrollment challenges, and the increased complexity of running a higher education institution. Drawing on research from ACE, they discuss how these dynamics have created shorter tenures and higher expectations for immediate results.
The Ripple Effect on Marketing Teams
Presidential turnover brings significant changes to marketing and communications teams, often with new presidents pushing for large-scale initiatives like rebranding, website redesigns, and CRM overhauls. While these projects can be valuable, Seth and Mallory caution that they often come with unrealistic timelines and lack immediate ROI.
Strategies for Success
Marketers can play a critical role in supporting new leadership while protecting their teams from burnout. The hosts offer actionable advice:
- Find Quick Wins: Identify short-term projects with measurable results to give new presidents air cover while working on longer-term initiatives.
- Ask the Right Questions: Understand a new president’s history with marketing and their expectations to better align strategies.
- Leverage the Honeymoon Period: Use the early days of a presidency to advocate for long-needed investments or projects.
- Be a Change Agent: Offer big ideas and solutions that align with institutional goals to establish yourself as a trusted advisor.
A Call to Action for Higher Ed Marketers
As the discussion wraps up, Seth challenges marketers to consider their potential for higher leadership roles, including the presidency. With their unique blend of communication, enrollment, and strategic expertise, marketing professionals could bring a much-needed perspective to the corner office.
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The Impossible College Presidency
The Past Month Has Seen a Flurry of No-Confidence Votes in College Presidents
University of La Verne President Out After 10 Months
Parting Thoughts from a Retiring President
Connect With Our Hosts:
Mallory Willsea
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea
Seth Odell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethodell/
https://twitter.com/sethodell
About The Enrollify Podcast Network: The Higher Ed Pulse 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 Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.
Enrollify is made possible 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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