What does it really mean to be a small college—and to thrive as one?

In this special Book Club Edition of the Education Marketing Leader Podcast, host Chris Rapozo sits down with Dr. Gary Daines, author of How to Be a Small College, along with regular EML Book Club members from across higher ed and the agency world.

Together, they unpack the “growth or die” mindset that dominates U.S. higher education and explore a more sustainable, mission-driven alternative focused on community, clarity, and authentic excellence.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Growth isn’t the only measure of success. Dr. Daines challenges the assumption that bigger is better—arguing that excellence, focus, and community impact define true institutional health.
• Mission-fit over market-share. Serving “the right students” means aligning programs, people, and messaging with the institution’s authentic purpose.
• Leadership as teaching. Effective presidents and administrators act as teachers—modeling learning, transparency, and reflection in every communication.
• Operational wisdom matters. From resource alignment to avoiding “amenities bloat,” sustainability requires discipline and courage to say no as much as yes.
• Community impact is the ultimate ROI. The most meaningful success stories aren’t always from Wall Street—they’re from graduates strengthening their local communities.

💬 Featured Voices

• Dr. Gary Daines, author and interim president, Salem Academy and College
• Chris Rapozo, host, Education Marketing Leader Podcast
• Rafi Dersimonian (ERI Design)
• Jill Whitaker (Southern Utah University)
• Troy Singer (Ring Digital / The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast)
• Jeff Ebbing (Southeastern Community College)
• Pablo Mora (University of Santiago, Chile)
• Denise Nunley (Arizona Christian University)
• Patrick Anderson (Chepers)

🔍 Conversation Highlights

• The “Apple Watch Analogy” of endless growth goals
• How to advocate for right-sizing without sounding anti-growth
• The tension between prestige and purpose—status vs excellence
• Faculty of Attention: focusing on what matters most
• Real-world stories from campuses around the globe navigating trust, leadership, and community crises

📚 Next Up

December 4 Book Club Meeting: The Go-Giver by Bob Burg — a timeless business parable about giving first to grow. Bob Burg himself will join the live discussion for a 30-minute Q&A.

Connect & Subscribe

Follow the Education Marketing Leader Podcast wherever you listen. 👉 Join the EML Book Club and get your next read at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13140172/

Connect with Chris Rapozo on LinkedIn for upcoming sessions, insights, and community updates.

The college search process is broken, and two teenagers might be the ones to fix it. 👇

When Evan Goldstein tagged along on college tours with his older brother, Jack Goldstein, something clicked:

The tours showed buildings, history, and mascots — but not real life.

What’s it actually like to live, study, and eat on campus?

What’s the vibe on a Tuesday afternoon when no one’s performing for a brochure?

That missing authenticity inspired Evan and Jack to build Quadzio, a platform connecting high schoolers with real college students for honest, unfiltered conversations.

In this week’s episode of the Education Marketing Leader Podcast, Evan shares:

🎯 How peer connections build trust faster than marketing ever could

🎯 What “authentic” content really means to Gen Z and Gen Alpha

🎯 Why vibe beats prestige for today’s students

It’s one of the most insightful interviews I’ve had, and a reminder that sometimes, the next big idea in higher ed doesn’t come from a boardroom, it comes from a high school classroom.

🎧 Now live on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. Follow the link in the comments.

#HigherEdMarketing #GenZ #CollegeSearch #StudentVoice #EducationMarketingLeaderPodcast

Guest: Dr. Evan Kropp, Executive Director of Distance Education, University of Florida 🐊

Topic: In-House vs. Outsourced Marketing — Finding Your Higher-Ed Sweet Spot

When should you keep marketing work in-house — and when does it make sense to outsource?

In this episode, Dr. Evan Kropp shares his eight-factor framework to help higher ed marketing teams decide where to invest their time, talent, and budget.

You’ll hear:

• Why there’s no universal playbook — and how to adapt decisions to your institution’s structure and goals
• The true cost of internal hires vs. agency work (spoiler: salary is just the start)
• How to balance control vs. expertise without stepping on toes
• Why brand consistency can sometimes backfire
• How to partner with agencies while protecting student data and your institutional voice
• A practical approach to retaining and developing marketing talent in higher ed

Dr. Kropp also talks about leadership, culture, and the long game of developing future marketers — what he calls “sending the elevator back down.”

🎧 Listen to the full episode for an honest look at what it takes to scale marketing impact without burning out your internal team.

👉 Follow and subscribe to The Education Marketing Leader Podcast for weekly conversations with higher ed’s top marketing minds.

#HigherEdMarketing #EducationMarketingLeader #EnrollmentStrategy #UniversityMarketing #BrandStrategy #AgencyPartnerships