In Episode 56 of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager, host Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Jon-Stephen Stansel — seasoned social media strategist and author of The 10 Principles of Effective Social Media Marketing. Jon shares his journey from burned-out higher ed manager to freelance success, offering up survival strategies, productivity hacks, and hot takes on AI, memes, and the myth of “posting at the right time.” This is a must-listen episode for any social media manager balancing creativity with chaos.

Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Rochelle Reed, Social Media Manager at James Madison University (JMU), to unpack how Instagram Stories evolved from an overlooked feature into a strategic powerhouse for campus engagement. Rochelle shares how JMU has built a data-driven Instagram Stories strategy that prioritizes interaction, authenticity, and smart storytelling. This episode is a goldmine for anyone serious about leveling up their social content game.

Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Matt Gerrish from Quid to uncover how the Rival IQ + Quid 2024 Higher Education Social Media Engagement Report comes to life. From understanding what drives rankings to exploring why some schools dominate year after year, Matt gives listeners a peek behind the data curtain. This episode is packed with insights on engagement strategy, platform prioritization, and content tactics that lead to top-tier social media performance. If you're wondering how your institution can climb the rankings—or even make the list—this episode is a must-listen.

Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Emma Dorman, the first-ever social media manager at the University of Montana, to explore what it takes to build a university’s digital personality from the ground up. In this vibrant conversation, Emma shares how embracing the unique culture, lifestyle, and geography of Montana has become the secret sauce behind their skyrocketing engagement and retention rates. From bear alerts to lumberjack balls, this episode unpacks why leaning into your institution’s quirks might just be the best social strategy you haven’t tried yet.

Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Jaime Hunt, host of Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO, for a no-holds-barred conversation packed with hot takes on higher education marketing, leadership dysfunction, and the systemic cultural habits holding institutions back. Drawing from decades of experience, Jaime and Jenny bring a sharp, refreshingly honest lens to some of higher ed’s most persistent challenges—from siloed departments and underfunded marketing teams to presidents chasing prestige at the expense of authenticity.

In Episode #50 of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager, host Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Eve Gaciarz, Assistant Director of Communications at the Yale MacMillan Center, to discuss the transition from a social media-specific role to a broader communications position within the same institution. As a former Associate Director of Social Media at Yale School of Management, Eve shares how she’s leveraging her social media expertise in a new environment and rethinking communications strategy in a more global, academic context. This conversation is a must-listen for professionals considering a pivot or expansion in their higher ed marketing career.

In this episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager, host Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Ted Harrison, Founder and CEO of neuemotion and former Head of Advertiser Production at Twitter (yes, real Twitter). Ted brings a refreshing take on creativity in social media, debunking the myth that inspiration strikes like lightning. Instead, he shares how creative consistency is a skill—one that can be systematized, scaled, and repeated. Whether you're a burned-out content creator or a higher ed social media manager in a creative rut, this episode is full of insights that will reignite your spark.

Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Joe Teo, CEO of HeyOrca, for a candid conversation about the underestimated brilliance of higher ed social media teams. From crisis communication mastery to culture-shaping content creation, Joe shares why higher ed marketers are the unsung heroes of the digital age. Tune into this episode for an energizing take on how resourceful, adaptive, and strategic these teams truly are.

Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Amanda Natividad — marketer, podcaster, and former trained chef — to tackle a challenge every social media manager and content creator eventually faces: handling negative comments and trolls online. From understanding the difference between criticism and trolling to learning when to clap back and when to scroll on, Amanda shares real-life stories, personal missteps, and practical strategies for keeping your cool in the chaotic world of online engagement. If you’ve ever let one bad comment ruin your day, this conversation is your crash course in building resilience and reclaiming perspective.

Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Chelsey Holts, Director of Content Strategy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chelsey recounts her firsthand experience managing campus communications during not one—but two—active shooter incidents at UNC. This powerful conversation explores the evolving role of social media in emergency communications, the need for cross-functional collaboration, and how crisis preparedness can shape a content strategy that’s both compassionate and clear. If you're responsible for social media in higher ed, this is a must-listen.

Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Christina Garnett—fractional chief customer officer, online community strategist, and author of the upcoming book Transforming Customer Brand Relationships. Together, they dive deep into what it really means to build authentic relationships with your audiences online. From mourning the loss of Twitter to embracing fan-driven engagement, this episode explores the nuances of online connection, community building, and why higher ed institutions need to stop treating social media like a digital billboard. This is a must-listen for anyone shaping digital engagement strategies in higher ed.

Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Grant Schol, Associate Director of Communication and Project Management for the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. Together, they unpack the evolving meaning of authenticity in higher ed social media and why it’s not as simple as just “being real.” Grant shares strategies for humanizing institutional accounts, empowering student voices, and creating content that speaks directly to your campus community. This conversation dives deep into community building, student-first messaging, and how to balance fun with institutional integrity—all through the lens of a social media manager’s lived experience.

In this episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager, host Jenny Li Fowler chats with Erica Colaianne, Director of Social Media at the University of Michigan, about the critical art of understanding your audience and staying nimble on social. From building out detailed platform-specific personas to crafting crisis-proof content, Erica shares how her newsroom roots and strategic thinking shape her approach to higher ed communications. If you're looking for real-world strategies for smarter social media management, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

In this energizing episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager, host Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Chi Thukral, Content Creator and Social Media Strategist, to unpack the nuances of trust, creative freedom, and the realities of navigating approval processes in social media management. With real-world anecdotes, industry hot takes, and tactical advice, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone managing—or approving—social media content in higher ed. Learn how creative risk-taking, clear communication, and earned trust can radically improve your institution’s digital voice.

In this thought-provoking episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager, host Jenny Li Fowler sits down with Safaniya Stevenson, a seasoned higher ed social strategist, to challenge one of the industry’s sacred cows: the audience persona. Together, they explore the limitations of personas in higher ed marketing and advocate for a more human, community-driven approach. This episode is a must-listen for enrollment marketers, brand strategists, and social media managers navigating a diverse and evolving student landscape.

Jenny welcomes Tara Mikaelian and Hattie Wilkinson from Sprout Social to unpack the powerful role of social media data in higher ed marketing. They dive into why this data matters, how it connects to institutional goals, and how social media managers can use real-time insights to drive strategy, demonstrate ROI, and advocate for their role. With real-world examples and actionable tips, this conversation offers a fresh take on using social data as a strategic tool rather than just a performance report.

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.

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 strategic integration of social media in research comms, this one’s for you.

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.