Higher Ed Leaders: The Entrepreneurial Campus sponsored by Viv Higher Education - SEASON 1, Ep. 2 Kerry Salerno, Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Babson College

SEASON 1, Ep. 2 Kerry Salerno, Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Babson College

01/30/24 • 36 min

Higher Ed Leaders: The Entrepreneurial Campus sponsored by Viv Higher Education

Suzan and Audra speak to Kerry Salerno from Babson College, discussing her career journey, the role of marketing and strategy in higher education, leadership styles and content marketing. Salerno shares her transformative personal experiences at Bentley University and her time working at Northeastern University. Salerno shares her perspectives on how marketing and strategy play a significant role in her position as CMO at Babson. She particularly emphasizes leveraging brand differentiation, knowing your audience, and promoting innovation.

Salerno provides advice on effectively managing silos within an institution by harnessing the power of positive intent, collaboration, and a strong empathetic leadership style. She also discusses how her team has been successfully harnessing content marketing and brand storytelling to reach and engage their audiences in authentic ways. The episode wraps up with Salerno emphasizing the necessity for marketers to be included as strategic partners within institutions, offering valuable insights and perspectives.

About Kerry Salerno
Kerry Salerno is the Vice President of Marketing at Babson University, renowned for her seasoned and innovative approach to product marketing. A leader in building high-performance teams, Salerno has a proven track record of exceeding goals and scaling educational brands. She specializes in pioneering marketing measurement systems and data-driven strategy development.
Salerno's leadership style is characterized by an action-oriented and entrepreneurial approach, guiding teams to prioritize critical research insights that shape organizational marketing strategy. With expertise in implementing new channels and a "digital-first" mindset, she excels at presenting complex information clearly to diverse audiences.

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SEASON 1, Ep. 1 Leo Lambert, President Emeritus at Elon University

In this insightful episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with President Emeritus Leo Lambert, who led Elon University through a period of remarkable transformation. Lambert's personal journey into higher education, starting as the first in his family to earn a four-year college degree, is a testament to the power of mentorship and seizing opportunities. He shared his experiences in the "in-between spaces" of higher education, where he developed a passion for understanding how the system works.

Lambert emphasized the importance of maintaining a student-centered approach in institutional transformation. He discussed the significance of fostering a strong institutional identity and committing to long-term strategic planning. Lambert highlighted the value of growth, not just in numbers but in quality and infrastructure, to provide a superior educational experience.

One of the key takeaways from the conversation was the need for leaders in higher education to focus on the main thing. Lambert stressed the importance of reflection, deep thinking, and keeping the institution's mission at the forefront of decision-making. He also highlighted the significance of collaboration between presidents, boards, faculty, and staff to navigate the complexities of the industry and adapt to unforeseen events.

A notable aspect of Elon's transformation was its evolution into a multi-faith institution. Lambert discussed the university's commitment to religious diversity and dialogue, creating a climate of understanding and respect among different faiths.

As President Emeritus, Lambert continues to make an impact through teaching, writing, and consulting. His insights serve as a valuable guide for current and future leaders in higher education, emphasizing the importance of student-centered approaches, strategic planning, and fostering a culture of collaboration and reflection.

About Leo Lambert

Leo M. Lambert led Elon University from 1999 to 2018, focusing on creating a student-centered culture and developing students as global citizens and ethical leaders. Under his leadership, Elon gained national prominence and built a reputation for academic excellence. He currently holds the title of president emeritus and is a professor at Elon University.

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SEASON 1, Ep. 3 Laurie Joyner, President, St Norbert College

The importance of adapting to ongoing challenges, student support and wellness and leveraging institutional strengths are some of the topics covered in this episode with Dr. Laurie Joyner.

Joyner discusses her journey in higher education, from her transformative undergraduate experience at Loyola University in New Orleans to becoming a faculty member and eventually, the president of Wittenberg University, St. Xavier University, and now St. Norbert College. She highlights the urgency of adapting and adjusting to the challenges faced by every institution of higher education and emphasizes St. Norbert College's commitment to supporting students and providing comprehensive wraparound services for their overall wellness. Joyner also talks about the importance of shared governance, moral courage and transparency for leaders in higher education.

She explores the complexities of addressing campus mental health, leveraging institutional strengths, and embracing authentic inclusivity in the context of Catholic institutions.

About Laurie Joyner

Dr. Laurie M. Joyner has served as the ninth president of St. Norbert College since July 2023. With a strong background in leadership, she previously served as the president of St. Xavier University in Chicago from 2017. Her career includes leadership roles at Wittenberg University in Ohio and various positions at Rollins College in Florida.

A prominent figure in Catholic higher education, Joyner was elected to the board of the Association of Catholic Colleges & Universities. She has received notable awards, including the "POWER 50" honor in 2014 and 2015, recognizing influential female executives in Dayton, Ohio, and the Woman of Distinction Leadership Award from the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio in October 2014.

Joyner's academic journey began at Loyola University New Orleans, where she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in sociology. She later earned her master's and doctoral degrees in sociology from Tulane University in New Orleans. Joyner, along with her husband Jay Joyner, is a proud parent to three sons: Jay, Alexander, and Christopher.

This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education

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