The Hidden Gem
The Hidden Gem

The Hidden Gem

Maya Demishkevich

Overview
Episodes

Details

The Hidden Gem is a podcast dedicated to empowering community college presidents, leaders, marcomms with the knowledge and insights they need to harness the full potential of strategic marketing and communication within their institutions. In today's fast-paced educational landscape, effective marketing and communication strategies are crucial for not only student recruitment but also for fostering a thriving and engaged community. This podcast aims to shed light on the often-overlooked aspects of marketing, emphasizing its vital role in shaping an institution's overall strategy and success. By showcasing real-world examples, case studies, and interviews with experienced community college leaders and higher ed consultants, the podcast will inspire its audience to view marketing and communication as integral components of their leadership toolkit. It aims to elevate the importance of these functions and empower leaders to make more informed and strategic decisions in their roles. The Hidden Gem is hosted by Maya Demishkevich and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.

Recent Episodes

Ep. 30: Stop Chasing, Start Attracting: The Power of Inbound Marketing in Higher Ed
MAR 24, 2025
Ep. 30: Stop Chasing, Start Attracting: The Power of Inbound Marketing in Higher Ed
In this episode of The Hidden Gem, host Maya Demishkevich sits down with Marcus Hanscom, an expert in higher ed marketing, to demystify inbound marketing and its impact on student engagement and enrollment. Many institutions focus on traditional advertising, but Marcus explains why inbound marketing - a strategy centered on attracting students through valuable, relevant content - is the key to long-term enrollment success. From content marketing to SEO, paid advertising, and AI-powered content creation, this episode breaks down how colleges can build an inbound strategy in-house without massive budgets. If your institution is looking to move beyond "spray and pray" advertising and develop marketing that works smarter, not harder, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
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41 MIN
Ep. 29: How Colleges and Employers Can Partner to Bridge Workforce Gaps
MAR 10, 2025
Ep. 29: How Colleges and Employers Can Partner to Bridge Workforce Gaps
In this episode of The Hidden Gem, host Maya Demishkevich sits down with Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast, to discuss an innovative approach to bridging the gap between students seeking affordable education and employers struggling to fill critical workforce shortages. Dr. Danielson shares the success of the Career Opportunity Program, a last-dollar tuition initiative funded by local employers to remove financial barriers for students while strengthening the regional talent pipeline. Learn how her strategic approach to engaging key business leaders turned this vision into a thriving program that benefits students, employers, and the entire community.
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20 MIN
Ep. 28: Lessons from Both Sides: Insights on Community College Marketing from a Private University Perspective
FEB 24, 2025
Ep. 28: Lessons from Both Sides: Insights on Community College Marketing from a Private University Perspective
In this episode of The Hidden Gem, Maya Demishkevich speaks with Rebecca Oliver, Director of Strategic Communications at North Shore Community College, about her transition from private universities to the world of community colleges. Rebecca shares her unique insights on the differences between private and public institutions, how community colleges can leverage their strengths, and the challenges of adapting marketing strategies to a new audience.
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25 MIN
Ep. 27: How CCBC Merged Continuing Education and College Marketing Teams to Drive Impact
FEB 10, 2025
Ep. 27: How CCBC Merged Continuing Education and College Marketing Teams to Drive Impact
In this episode of The Hidden Gem, Maya Demishkevich sits down with Amy Filardo, Chief Marketing Officer at Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), Maryland’s largest community college. Amy shares her journey of transforming the marketing and communications function at CCBC over the past four years. From integrating continuing education marketing into a centralized team to implementing new technology and strategies, Amy offers practical insights for reimagining marketing structures in higher education. This episode is packed with valuable lessons for college leaders, marketers, and administrators looking to drive enrollment and streamline operations.
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38 MIN
Ep. 26: Stop, Drop, and Enroll: Innovative Strategies for Boosting Student Retention
JAN 27, 2025
Ep. 26: Stop, Drop, and Enroll: Innovative Strategies for Boosting Student Retention
In this episode of The Hidden Gem, host Maya Demishkevich sits down with Julio Vargas-Essex, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at North Hennepin Community College, to discuss how innovative research and collaborative strategies are driving student retention. Julio shares insights from his groundbreaking research project, "Stop, Drop, and Enroll," which focused on identifying and addressing barriers to student persistence. From reimagining orientation to creating innovative peer mentoring programs, this conversation dives deep into practical strategies for improving the student experience and boosting retention.
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46 MIN