About the Episode
About the Episode:
Dr. Chris Lewis, Director of Graduate Programs at the University of Michigan, Flint, joins Mallory Willsea live from the NAGAP GEM Summit. They dive into the impact and insights from Dr. Lewis's extensive podcasting experience, both personally and professionally. With a focus on enhancing student engagement and recruitment, Dr. Lewis shares how his podcast, 'Victors in Grad School,' has become a strategic tool in connecting with and guiding prospective students.
Key Takeaways:
- Podcasting as a Strategic Tool: Dr. Lewis leverages his podcast to answer frequent queries from students, effectively using it as a platform to guide and inform prospective and current students.
- Personal Journey to Professional Impact: Starting from a personal desire to share his experiences as a father, Dr. Lewis has expanded his reach to influence the higher education space, particularly in graduate studies.
- Content Utilization Across Platforms: Insights from podcast episodes are repurposed across digital channels, enhancing accessibility and engagement with university content.
- Success Through Storytelling: Sharing compelling stories, like that of a first-gen student turned physics professor in Australia, underscores the transformative power of education and mentorship.
- Sustaining Engagement: Consistency in content delivery and adapting to listener feedback are critical for podcast growth and impact.
- Measuring Impact: Dr. Lewis discusses the challenges of quantifying the direct impact of podcasts but highlights the importance of gradual growth and listener engagement as indicators of success.
Using Podcasts to Answer Key Graduate School Questions
Dr. Chris Lewis launched Victors in Grad School in August 2022 to address recurring questions he and his team received from prospective students. The podcast focuses on helping students evaluate if grad school is right for them and equipping them with tools for success. By sharing inspiring stories from alumni and current students, Chris has turned the podcast into a trusted resource for prospective graduate students, even those considering other institutions.
Amplifying Podcast Content for Maximum Reach
Chris ensures the content from his podcast reaches beyond audio platforms by repurposing it for multiple channels:
- Social Media: Highlights from episodes are shared across platforms to pique interest.
- Blog Posts: Full episodes are summarized and posted to the university’s blog, making the content searchable and accessible.
- Targeted Emails: Episodes featuring specific programs, such as physical therapy, are sent directly to prospective students interested in those programs.
This multi-channel strategy ensures the podcast reaches audiences where they already are and amplifies its impact.
Tips for Starting and Sustaining a Podcast
Chris offers practical advice for professionals considering launching their own podcasts:
- Plan for More Time Than You Think: Editing and promotion take longer than recording. Be realistic about the time commitment.
- Batch Record Episodes: To stay ahead, record several episodes at once. This helps you maintain a consistent publishing schedule.
- Consistency Is Key: Whether you’re releasing weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly episodes, stick to your schedule so listeners know when to expect new content.
- Start Small and Scale: Even a simple setup can lead to success. The key is to get started and refine your process over time.
Measuring Podcast Outcomes
Podcast ROI can be tricky to quantify, but Chris tracks incremental growth and engages in qualitative evaluation:
- Track Listenership Trends: Observing spikes in listens helps determine what content resonates most.
- Incorporate Podcast Mentions into Inquiry Forms: By asking students how they heard about the program, Chris can gauge how many prospective students are engaging with the podcast.
- Focus on Impact Over Numbers: Even if an episode reaches 200 listeners, that’s equivalent to presenting in front of a packed conference room—a significant achievement for resource-limited teams.
Podcasting as a Soft-Sell Recruitment Tool
For Chris, the podcast is less about direct recruitment and more about providing value. Sharing alumni stories and program director insights not only builds trust with listeners but also positions the University of Michigan-Flint as a thought leader in graduate education.
Words of Advice
Chris’s advice to higher ed professionals considering podcasting:
- Be Patient: Podcast growth is slow and steady, but the long-term benefits are worth the investment.
- Focus on the Message: Deliver content that is genuinely helpful to your audience, and the listeners will come.
- Work Smarter, Not Harder: Use tools and strategies to streamline your podcast production and maximize its reach across channels.
Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea
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.
Connect with Us at the Engage Summit: Exciting news — Mallory will be at the 2024 Engage Summit in Raleigh, NC, on June 25 and 26, and we’d love to meet you there! Sessions will focus on cutting-edge AI applications that are reshaping student outreach, enhancing staff productivity, and offering deep insights into ROI.
Use the discount code Enrollify50 at checkout.
Learn more and register at engage.element451.com — we can’t wait to see you there!
.svg)
.svg)
