Processes matter. But collaboration in higher ed doesn’t succeed—or fail—because of forms or workflows. It succeeds when relationships are strong. That’s the focus of Episode 3 of Advancement Amplified: The IA MarCom Shift: Mastering the Collaboration Matrix. Too often, Advancement MarCom teams don’t have formal authority, yet they’re expected to align a sprawling set of players—Central Marketing, schools and units, frontline fundraisers, alumni engagement, donor relations, university...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, You can’t structure your team for yesterday’s needs—and expect tomorrow’s results. That’s the focus of Episode 2, where I’m joined by two leaders who bring unmatched perspective on building Advancement + MarCom teams for the future. I wanted to bring them together because Melissa sits at the front end of the hiring process—helping institutions define roles and recruit leaders—while Shanna helps leaders succeed once they’re in the seat. Their combined lens makes for a grounded,...
23 days ago • 2 min read
You’ve heard me talk about this in recent newsletters—and many of you even helped pick the name. Now it’s here: Episode 1 of my new (and second) five-part Advancement Amplified 'Pulse Check' series with Enrollify is live. In this first episode, I’m joined by Terry Flannery, Ph.D. (EVP and COO at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education) to unpack how Advancement MarCom teams can break free from “order-taking” mode and step into the role of strategic partner. 🎧 Listen to Episode 1...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Finding Fuel at the CASE Summit I’ve been to plenty of conferences that mix professional growth with a bit of personal indulgence—nice dinners, time to wander around sightseeing a new city, or get rooftop drinks. This wasn’t that trip. This one was all purpose and passion. Case in point: my parting dinner was an Auntie Anne’s pretzel cup on the train ride home from Penn Station. (Zero regrets with that choice, BTW.) Still, I wouldn’t trade it. The annual CASE Summit for Leaders delivered...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
There's No Clear Map Right Now Lately, the stories I’m hearing from advancement teams sound very similar—and not in a good way. Here’s what keeps coming up: Lots of transitions. The work is changing, but the rules haven’t caught up. We’re all trying to figure out what comes next. The recent passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill (the new federal package that froze matching-grant dollars) only adds to the uncertainty. It’s a stark reminder that the systems we’ve relied on—for funding, for...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Why the Most Strategic Teams Don't Wait to Be Asked Part 3 of 3: From Support to Strategy There’s a moment many Advancement MarComm professionals reach—especially those striving to evolve their teams—when something clicks:They stop asking, “How do we prove our value?” And instead start wondering, “What if we stopped asking for permission all the time and just started shaping the strategy?” Many teams are still stuck in the “order-taker” trap. Others have changed their naming or restructured...
3 months ago • 4 min read
Structure, Strategy, & Silos—Oh My! Part 2 of 3: From Support to Strategy Last week, we explored how teams are labeled—and what those labels reveal about how your team is treated and empowered (or not). But titles only tell part of the story. Structure tells the truth. Who your team reports to, who they collaborate with, and how their work is prioritized reveals far more. I’ve worked with teams embedded in Central MarComm, others nested in Advancement, and still others scattered across...
3 months ago • 4 min read
What's in a Name? How Your Team's Label Reveals its Role. Part 1 of 3: From Support to Strategy Over the years, I’ve worked with teams labeled development communications, development marketing and communications, advancement communications, and advancement marketing & communications. Organizations use different labels. But the more telling difference? How those teams are treated, and more importantly, what they’re empowered to influence. Many of you reading this are part of—or have been part...
3 months ago • 5 min read
The Power You Build: Volume vs. Value I’ve been thinking a lot this week about the kind of power we rely on to move things forward, especially as I’ve been working with a private prep school to develop both their brand and a new strategic plan. It’s a community rooted in tradition and relationships, with a deep sense of purpose and ambition for growth. And as we’ve begun mapping the path ahead—drawing in voices from across the school—one thing has become clear: The way we build alignment...
4 months ago • 4 min read