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Do alumni magazines still matter? article image. Man sitting on a dark couch reading a book, wearing a green jacket and a black baseball cap with a red letter "H" on it, against a white brick wall background.

Do alumni magazines still matter?

Alumni magazines that succeed trade puff pieces for purpose — and prove their power in the inbox age.

Donor & Alumni Relations /
By: Erica Levi Zelinger

No Country for Young Men?

Higher ed is confronting its male enrollment crisis with new strategies rooted in purpose, belonging — and masculine imagery. But is it working?

Marketing & Branding /
By: Erica Levi Zelinger
An image for higher ed marketing trends in 2025. A mature woman, who is a higher ed marketer, walks across a street. Behind her is a desolate, gray scale downtown and to the front of her is a vibrant city scape bustling with activity and people.

Higher ed marketing trends shaping an already high-stakes 2025.

From pluralism to branding battles, top voices in higher ed break down the marketing shifts you can’t afford to ignore.

Marketing & Branding /
By: Volt Contributors

Popular on Volt

"The NIL Top 10: Who are the highest-paid college athletes?" article image displaying a collage of six college athletes across different sports, each wearing their team uniforms and caught in action. The top row includes a basketball player from North Carolina dribbling the ball, a gymnast on the floor mid-performance, and a football player from Colorado gesturing with his hands after a game. The bottom row shows a Duke basketball player preparing to take a shot, another football player from Colorado looking focused, and an Alabama basketball player pointing confidently.

The NIL Top 10: Who are the highest-paid college athletes?

Growing collective contracts and sponsorship deals have university athletes — both men and women — raking in record paydays.

Marketing & Branding /
By: Chris Kudialis
Private equity is playing for control in higher ed marketing article image. A close-up of a Monopoly board featuring a silver horse and rider game piece near a red house. The board includes spaces labeled "Columbia University" and "University of California," with a large red question mark nearby.

Private equity is playing for control in higher ed marketing.

Fund managers are betting private companies will take over university marketing—one property at a time—as schools tighten budgets.

Marketing & Branding /
By: Chris Kudialis
Can generative AI video be used in higher ed marketing? article image. Split image: On the left, a close-up of hands typing on a keyboard, overlaid with lines of programming code. On the right, three diverse students sitting together in a library, engaged in collaborative learning, with an overlay resembling a video timeline below.

Can generative AI video be used in higher ed marketing? 

Although not yet ready for prime time, generative AI video shows potential to transform recruitment, campus tours and storytelling—if humans lead the way.

Marketing & Branding /
By: John Azoni
Grid of iconic college and university logos featuring institutions like Harvard, Tuskegee University, Stanford, SCAD, Michigan State, Temple University, Princeton, University of Florida, RISD, MICA, Notre Dame, and the University of Texas. The logos are displayed on a white grid background.

10 Iconic College Logos: Design, History and Stories That Stick

From crimson crests to Spartan helmets, these college logos do more than look good—they tell unforgettable stories of identity and legacy.

Marketing & Branding /
By: Sean Daly
A close-up image of hands typing on a laptop with the words "Social Media Strategies Summit" on the blue background screen.

The Social Media Playbook for Higher Ed: Top Tips from the 2024 Summit

Uncover the latest social media strategies in higher ed, from user-generated content risks to navigating platform algorithms and enhancing content accessibility.

Marketing & Branding /
By: Maryna Yankovska
Student athletes in NIL sponsorships. To the right, a TV showing a commercial with Caleb Williams and to the left a phone with a Livvy Dunne social media post.

NIL athletes are thriving. But how do colleges and universities benefit?

How NIL boosts university brands, lifts less-popular sports, keeps some athletes on campus longer, and may even elevate enrollment.

Marketing & Branding /
By: Chris Kudialis
an colleges meet Generation Alpha’s expectations? Here’s how to rethink your marketing strategy.

Can colleges meet Gen Alpha’s expectations? It’s time to rethink your marketing strategy.

Colleges must shift their marketing tactics to prioritize authenticity, digital fluency and alignment with Generation Alpha’s unique values and preferences.

Marketing & Branding /
By: Aila Boyd
Universities are turning gold Olympics moments into marketing magic. image, a collage featuring a group of female rugby players celebrating a victory, with one player holding a rugby ball. The players are wearing navy blue uniforms with the U.S. flag emblem. In the background, a large gold medal is prominently displayed. On the left side of the image, a monochromatic blue background depicts the front of a building with the words "Northeastern University."

The Olympics aren’t just for athletes. Universities turn gold moments into marketing magic.

More than a competition — the Games are a unique opportunity for universities to spotlight their stars by leveraging Olympic moments to create impactful marketing campaigns that highlight student success and boost the institution’s brand.

Marketing & Branding /
By: Andy Cuneo
A laptop screen with computer code in the background, as well as an AI search bar waiting for a prompt.

Is SEO dead? The time for colleges and universities to master AI Search is now.

Consultants and academics say schools’ websites and marketing must become more interactive and authoritative.

Marketing & Branding /
By: Chris Kudialis
New OPM Crackdown Law Has Higher Ed on Notice article image, a cover or title page of a document or publication related to "OPM Agreements"

New OPM Crackdown Law Has Higher Ed on Notice

Administrators and consultants say there is now a blueprint to follow after Minnesota passed the first law banning OPM tuition sharing.

Enrollment /
By: Chris Kudialis
Higher Ed Affiliate Marketing: Boon vs. Bane image, a close-up of hands typing on a laptop, dollar sign and graphs in the background

Affiliate Marketing: Boon or Bane

Affiliate marketing may solve declining higher ed enrollments and waning public trust, but what about navigating privacy and compliance concerns?

Marketing & Branding /
By: Julia Tell
Considering the Long-Term Impact of Rankings Changes article image, college campus through colorful lenses.

Considering the Long-Term Impact of Rankings Changes

Pushback on the rankings metrics led to changes, but will these help students who prioritize ROI and the value of education?

Marketing & Branding /
By: Aila Boyd
A picture of University of Iowa basketball player Caitlin Clark with a purple background and basketball hoop.

How Much Is Caitlin Clark Worth to the University of Iowa?

The impact of the iconic women’s basketball player goes far beyond the court, and it will reach its crescendo over the next few weeks.

Marketing & Branding /
By: Chris Kudialis
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