Be Inspired By Education Leaders From Around The World

Our podcast delves into the fascinating world of international higher ed, speaking to thought-leaders, change-makers, and influencers from around the world. All in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee or go for a walk!

Episode 28: International Students Interested in the UK in 2025

Guest: Mark Bennett, Director of Audience and Insights at FindAUniversity

Dr. Mark Bennett, Director of Audience and Insights at FindAUniversity, joins our podcast once again to share the latest insights into international student trends shaping UK higher education in 2025. We discuss shifting student preferences, key markets for international student recruitment, and what can universities in the United Kingdom do to stay competitive in an evolving global landscape.

Episode 27: Emerging Trends in International Student Recruitment in Africa - 2025 and Beyond

Guest: Amo Kubeyinje, Director of Graduate Admissions & International Recruitment at Canisius University

We dive into the future of international student recruitment in Africa with Amo Kubeyinje, Director of Graduate Admissions at Canisius University. Amo unpacks the emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping higher education recruitment across the African continent in 2025 and beyond. Drawing from his own journey of emigrating from Nigeria to the US, Amo shares expert insights into the evolving landscape of international student mobility in Africa.

Episode 26: Connecting International Students to UC Berkeley through Alumni

Guest: Bridgette Lehrer, Assistant Director of Marketing and Outreach at UC Berkeley International Study Program

Bridgette Lehrer, Assistant Director of Marketing and Outreach for UC Berkeley’s International Study Program unveils her innovative strategies for global student engagement. Dive into how Berkeley’s International Study Program connects with diverse international audiences through their alumni community and a unique approach to storytelling.

Episode 25: The Role of Higher Education in Social Mobility

Guest: Dr. Ellen Neufeldt, President of California State University San Marcos

Dr. Ellen Neufeldt, President of California State University San Marcos, has dedicated her 30-year career to advancing student success and social mobility through higher education. President Neufeldt joins us to discuss CSUSM’s groundbreaking work in social mobility and the upcoming 2025 Social Mobility Symposium, which San Marcos will be hosting on February 20-21 2025 in San Diego County.

Episode 24: Using Email Marketing to Recruit More Students

Guest: Dayana Kibilds, VP of Strategy at Ologie and co-Author of "Mailed It: A Guide to Crafting Emails that Build Relationships and Get Results"

An illuminating conversation with Dayana Kibilds, co-author of Mailed It!: A Guide to Crafting Emails that Build Relationships and Get Results. Join us as Dayana breaks down the secrets of effective email communication and shares practical strategies for crafting messages that truly resonate with student audiences. Get ready for a masterclass in email marketing!

Episode 23: How Canada is Adapting to International Student Caps

Guest: Sean Coote, Vice President of International at Niagara College

Sean Coote has worked for over 30 years at the Niagara College. At Niagara, Sean has been instrumental in shaping its global engagement and recruitment strategy. In this episode, we will discuss Canada’s implementation of caps on international students to discover how the caps are impacting institutions like Niagara College and what it means for the future of Canadian higher education and its global reputation.

Episode 22: 2024, A Record-Breaking Year for Global Higher Ed in the U.S.

Guest: Karin Fischer, Chief International Correspondent for The Chronicle of Higher Education

Karin Fischer, Chief International Correspondent for The Chronicle of Higher Education, has over two decades of experience in global education. In this episode, we explore the 2024 Open Doors Report standout findings, including the record-breaking number of international students in the U.S. and the factors driving this growth at American universities.

Episode 21: The Secret Behind the Academic Rise of Singapore

Guest: Alson Tan, Senior Manager of International Marketing at the National University of Singapore

Alson Tan, Senior Manager of International Marketing at the National University of Singapore, joins us to explore the profile of international students choosing Singapore as their education destination. What are the most popular programs for students in the region? Are preferences shifting? Discover more about Singapore’s higher education system and its impressive growth over the past few decades to become a key player in the global academic landscape.

Episode 20: The Impact of Trump's Presidency on U.S. Higher Education

Guest: Stephanie Worden, Assistant Dean of Enrollment, Marketing & Communications at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies of the University of Denver

As the United States adjusts to Donald Trump’s re-election, colleges and universities across the country are preparing for potential shifts in policies and priorities that could reshape higher education. In this episode, we are joined by Stephanie Worden, Assistant Dean of Enrollment, Marketing & Communications at Unversity of Denver, to explore what may lie ahead.

Episode 19: Key findings of the Enquiry Experience Tracker 2024

Guest: Jenni Parsons, Chief Market and Partnerships Officer at UniQuest

The Enquiry Experience Tracker Global Report, developed by Edified in partnership with UniQuest, is a research initiative designed to help higher ed institutions assess how effective they are in responding to prospective student enquiries. Jenni Parsons, Chief Market and Partnership Officer at UniQuest, joins us today to reveal key findings from this year’s research, highlighting what universities are doing well and where there’s room for improvement.

Episode 18: Australia's Student Cap: What It Means for Global Education

Guest: Nishant Jadhav, Senior Regional Manager at University of Sydney

Nishant Jadhav, Senior Regional Manager at University of Sydney, dives into the potential cap on international students in Australia and how recruitment offices are preparing for these changes. Also, Nishant shares insights into the state of student recruitment across the Asia-Pacific region and the key factors driving students to choose Australia and its neighboring countries for their studies.

Episode 17: Student Recruitment from Inside the Arctic Circle

Guest: Jose de Pool, International Coordinator at Nord University

Jose de Pool, International Coordinator at the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture at Nord University in Norway, joins us to discuss the impact of the recent introduction of tuition fees for non-EU students on his recruitment efforts. Also, Jose sheds light on the particular challenges and strategies to recruit international students to STEM programs in a unique location like the Arctic Circle.

Episode 16: Navigating the Landscape of Student Recruitment in New York

Guest: Ben Boivin, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Manhattan College

Ben Boivin, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Manhattan College, shares with us his experience recruiting liberal arts students in the Bronx, New York. Boivin discusses the latest trends in U.S. graduate enrollment, innovative strategies to address the ‘enrollment cliff', and how Manhattan College leverage its unique location to attract diverse student groups.

Episode 15: Best Practices to Cultivate an International Student Community

Guest: Kristi Marchesani, Director of International Recruitment and Admissions at the University of Northern Iowa

As Director of International Recruitment and Admissions, Kristi Marchesani is doing an outstanding work developing international student communities at the University of Northern Iowa. The International Student Promoters initiative at UNI has fostered a real culture of support and involvement where students promote the university, grow new skills and help one another.

Episode 14: Creating a Friendly Environment for Aging Students

Guest: Aaron Guest, Chair of the Secretariat of the Age-Friendly University Global Network

The Age-Friendly University Global Network was launched in 2012 to recognize universities that make unique contributions to the global aging population. Aaron Guest, Chair of the Secretariat of AFU joins us to discuss how universities can create a more friendly environment for aging students and generate opportunities to promote intergenerational exchange.

Episode 13: The Art Behind Recruiting and Developing Future Artists

Guest: Antonio Vanni, Executive Director at Florence Academy of Art

Antonio Vanni, Executive Director of the Florence Academy of Art, shares with us the insights of his research on the unique experience of international students in the arts. Amid the global discourse on the need for job-ready professionals, Vanni highlights how art pedagogy and high-quality instruction helps the Florence Academy of Art create empowered future artists and creators.

Episode 12: What Should You Be Doing to Recruit Students from India? 

Guest: Rajika Bhandari, Principal of Rajika Bhandari Advisors and Co-founder of South Asia International Education Network

International education expert and author Rajika Bhandari joins us to reveal the main motivations and challenges Indian students face when studying abroad. Quality of education and post-study opportunities emerge as key factors for them. As more countries set barriers for international students, Indian students are exploring new destinations beyond the classic ones like the United States and United Kingdom.

Episode 11: State of Student Recruitment in the Netherlands

Guest: Bas Baalmans, Managing Director at the Digital Business Centre of the University of Groningen

Bas Baalmans, Managing Director at Groningen Digital Business Center, discusses international student recruitment in the Netherlands and digital transformation in higher education. International education was in the conversations during Netherland’s general election last November, as the drafted ‘Balance in Internationalization Act’ wants to limit the number of international students in the country. How is this impacting the recruitment efforts of Dutch institutions?

Episode 10: Why is Getting a College Degree Worth It?

Guest: Andrew Kelly, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Policy at the University of North Carolina System

The North Carolina General Assembly partnered with Deloitte to analyze the value of the Degree programs of the University of North Carolina System. Data showed that out of 1,299 programs across the System, 94% of them had a positive ROI for graduates. Dr. Andrew Kelly gives us details about the study and how they have managed to make their programs overwhelmingly worth it for all their students.

Episode 9: Can Microcredentials Save Higher Education?

Guest: Jim Fong, Chief Research Officer at UPCEA

Microcredentials are a hot topic right now, but a lot of people still don’t know how exactly how to describe them. Jim Fong, Chief Research Officer at UPCEA, the online and professional education association, joins the podcast to enlighten us on what microcredentials are. For Jim Fong, microcredentials could become a saving grace for higher ed institutions looking to increase their student population.

Episode 8: Inspiring Founders in Higher Ed - Harri Suominen

Guest: Harri Suominen, Co-Founder of Asia Exchange and Edunation

Harri Suominen joins us in this episode to share his experience as co-Founder of global education providers Asia Exchange and Edunation. Two companies that have recently become part of Keystone Education Group. His personal experience as an exchange student drove him and Tuomas Kauppinen to found Asia Exchange and Edunation to create a pathway for other Finnish students to study abroad.

Episode 7: Forget HigherEd Rankings - Back to Reputation Basics

Guest: Oliver Freedman, Managing Director of The RepTrak Company

In this thought-provoking Keystone Higher Ed Chats episode, Scott Miller interviews Oliver Freedman, APAC Managing Director at Reptrak, a leading reputation measurement and management consultancy. Oliver provides valuable insights into balancing the chase for university rankings with cultivating and maintaining a positive university reputation in today's globalized, technology-driven landscape.

Episode 6: Secrets to University Storytelling Success

Guest: John Azoni, Storytelling Expert

John Azoni discusses storytelling strategies tailored for universities on Keystone Higher Ed Chats. John is joined by Scott Miller, Chief Commercial Officer at Keystone, to discuss authentic representation, AI integration, and the ongoing nature of effective storytelling in student recruitment efforts. Tune in to uncover the secrets behind compelling university narratives and their impact on student recruitment.

Episode 5: Trends and Insights in International Student Recruitment

Guest: Ian Little, International Student Recruitment Expert

Ian Little joins host Scott Miller to share vital trends and insights for navigating global student recruitment complexities. Among topics of discussion are the challenges and opportunities of recruiting international students, market adaptation, niche differentiation strategies and the importance of self awareness.

Episode 4: Leadership Guidance for Higher Ed Teams

Guest: Todd Cherches, Executive Coach

Todd Cherches joins Keystone Higher Ed Chats to reveal what it takes to be a good leader. Todd is a consultant, executive coach, TEDx speaker, author, and thought leader in the field of leadership and visual thinking. With over a decade in higher ed, he is also an award-winning professor at New York University and Columbia University.

Episode 3: Inspiring Female Founder in Higher Ed: Rachel Fletcher 

Guest: Rachel Fletcher, CEO & Founder of UniQuest 

Rachel Fletcher shares her inspiring journey as a female entrepreneur. In this riveting episode, the conversation explores the dynamics of being a female founder, intentional company culture, and the delicate balance between optimism and perfection. Rachel provides insights for aspiring leaders, highlighting the importance of expressing interest in leadership roles and taking calculated risks. 

Episode 2: Graduate Student Recruitment Trends 2024 

Guest: Dr. Mark Bennett, Insights Director at FindAUniversity

Dr. Mark Bennett, Insights Director at FindAUniversity, is a UK-based graduate education expert. Mark discusses the findings in the data from Higher Ed Insights, a quarterly insights and student data tracking survey. We will hear about graduate student destination interests shift, the international landscape for graduate studies, as well as specific UK-findings.

Episode 1: Everything The Higher Ed Marketer Needs to Know in 2024

Guest: Kyle Campbell, Founder of Education Marketer 

Kyle joins Higher Ed Chats to share his expertise in higher education marketing. We discuss student recruitment trends, emerging technologies you should be using as a higher ed marketing professional, and the 3 things every higher ed marketer should be doing in 2024.