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Insights
Higher Ed Trends, Strategies, and Solutions


It's Time to Stop Saying Parents Matter and Start Showing It
We say it all the time: “Parents are important,” but how often do our actions actually reflect that? Walk through specific, tangible strategies for making parents feel seen, heard and empowered to help their student say yes.

Laura Rudolph
Jun 254 min read


How to Avoid Sticker Shock: Making your Tuition & Fees Page Affordability-Focused
Students rule out colleges based on sticker price alone. Here’s how to make your Tuition & Fees page an affordability tool—not just a price

Laura Rudolph
Jun 184 min read


Parents Text Back: Why SMS Is the Secret Weapon in Your Yield Strategy
At my last institution, we had a real challenge: students just weren’t completing their enrollment forms. Counselors were calling, emails were going out daily, and portal reminders were non-stop—but nothing seemed to move the needle.
That’s when I had a moment of clarity—what if the key wasn't reaching out to the student, but their parent?

Laura Rudolph
May 223 min read


3 Easy Fixes to Improve Your Inquiry Form
Students abandon clunky inquiry forms. Here’s how to fix yours fast and capture more leads—without a major overhaul.

Laura Rudolph
Apr 233 min read


If You Don’t Have a Parent Communication Plan, This Is Your Sign to Start One
Parents aren’t just influencers in the college search—they’re co-decision makers. Here’s how to build a parent communication plan that works

Laura Rudolph
Apr 94 min read


How to Market College "Quality" in Ways That Matter
Forget rankings. Show students real value through outcomes, faculty impact, program quality, and student support—what truly defines quality.

Laura Rudolph
Mar 193 min read


Helping Parents Have a Hard College Conversation: The Money Talk
Families often wait too long to discuss college costs. Here’s how admissions and financial aid offices can help parents start The Money Talk

Laura Rudolph
Feb 193 min read


What If Financial Aid Packages Were as Clear as LEGO Instructions?
Financial aid shouldn’t be a mystery. Here’s how colleges can design award letters like LEGO instructions—clear, visual and easy to follow.

Laura Rudolph
Feb 115 min read


Making the Value of a College Degree Tangible: From Abstract to Actionable
A college degree is an investment, but its value is not always clear to students. How can colleges make its return on investment more tangib

Laura Rudolph
Feb 44 min read


What If You Sent an Email With the Wrong Name—On Purpose?
Could sending an email with the wrong name—on purpose—grab attention and reinforce personalization? A creative risk with potential rewards.

Laura Rudolph
Jan 223 min read


Marketing Doesn’t Make Deposits. Relationships Do.
Marketing builds awareness, but admissions and campus connections seal the deal. Higher ed needs all three to turn students into deposits.

Laura Rudolph
Dec 24, 20243 min read


Predicting Yield with a Holiday Gift Guide? 🎙️Listen to How It Worked.
A holiday gift guide email to parents turned into a powerful way to predict yield. Here’s how it worked—and how colleges can do the same.

Laura Rudolph
Dec 24, 20242 min read


Your Homepage Isn’t Your Only Front Door: Why Major Pages Matter More Than You Think
Your homepage isn’t your only first impression. Students land on major pages first—are yours built to convert?

Laura Rudolph
Dec 18, 20243 min read
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