Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education 2025

Since Sunday, I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by brilliant higher education marketing and communications professionals at the 2025 American Marketing Association Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education, hosted at the Gaylord National in National Harbor, MD.

Over the course of the past three days, I’ve attended sessions spanning the full scope of a higher education marketing career:

Creativity, Bravery, and Brilliance (Welcome Keynote)
“What If?”: Evolving Higher Ed Marketing Through Entertainment, Influence, and Innovation
Reimagining Access: How Student Journey Maps Transform Outreach
U.S. News Presentation: How Students Use AI in the College Research and Admissions Process: An Exclusive Study from U.S. News & World Report
The Intersection of Leadership, Revenue, and Reputation in Higher Ed (Keynote)
From Data to Direction: Leveraging Market Research Strategically
Wielding Influence: How to Engage with Influencer Marketing
What the Data Says About the Future of Marketing and Reputation (Keynote)
More Than Merch: Strategic Licensing for Student Impact
Idea Exchange: Donor & Alumni Marketing: Moving from Stewardship to Storytelling
Idea Exchange: Managing the Matrix: Communicating Up, Down, and Across Campus
Salary Truths and Career Moves in Higher Ed Marketing
Challenging the Newest Competitor—No College at All
Media Panel Discussion: Pitching and Placing Reputation and Revenue Coverage
The Caring University: A Roadmap to Reimagining the Higher Education Workplace (Closing Keynote)

In addition to these keynote presentations and breakout sessions, I spent ample time connecting with peers across the country in a range of institutions, often discussing common problems and innovative solutions. I also spent some time in the exhibition hall, speaking with vendors to explore potential solutions and new offerings.

I’m incredibly thankful I was presented with the opportunity to attend the symposium and be recognized as one of three finalists for the Emerging Marketer in Higher Education award. I came back to New York feeling uplifted, inspired, and ready to bring fresh ideas to my team.