Why Fear Is Reshaping College Enrollment Marketing

Today's students aren't searching for the "best" college. They're trying to avoid making the wrong decision. In this episode of Education Marketing Leader, Chris Rapozo sits down with Gjergj Dollani, Principal at ClearCourse Advisory, host of The Enrollment Clinic, and author of Grounds: What a Coffee Shop Taught Me that a Career Never Could, to explore how fear, AI, rising costs, and uncertainty are reshaping the college decision process. Topics include: Why today's students are driven more by fear than aspiration How universities should adapt their marketing strategy The future of higher education and lifelong learning subscriptions College vs. trade school in an AI-driven economy Why higher education should borrow more ideas from outside the industry What business leaders can teach enrollment marketers about ROI and customer experience Whether you're a CMO, enrollment leader, marketing professional, or higher education executive, this conversation offers practical insights into where student expectations are headed and how institutions can respond. Subscribe for more conversations with higher education marketing leaders shaping the future of enrollment, branding, and student engagement.