In this episode of Hidden Gem, Maya Demishkevich sits down with Dr. Stephanie Erdmann, CEO and Dean of Great Falls College, to discuss the college's innovative journey to strengthen its brand identity. Dr. Erdmann shares the fascinating story behind the introduction of their new mascot, Mo the River Otter. Learn how a well-executed mascot can bring a community together, enhance school spirit, and create a cohesive brand identity even for colleges without athletic programs. Tune in to gain valuable insights on strategic branding, community engagement, and creative marketing tactics.Key Takeaways:Community Involvement: Discover how involving staff, students, and community members in the mascot creation process can foster a sense of ownership and pride.Creative Outreach: See how unique marketing strategies, such as involving local celebrities and creating engaging social media content, can boost community awareness and excitement.Sustained Engagement: Explore ongoing initiatives to keep the mascot relevant and integrated into various aspects of the college’s activities and communications.Time and Patience: Realize the importance of taking time with the mascot development process to ensure thorough community engagement and thoughtful implementation.The IMPACT FrameworkGuest Name: Dr. Stephanie Erdmann / CEO and Dean / Great Falls College MSUGuest Bio: Dr. Stephanie Erdmann is a higher education veteran with more than 20 years of experience in private, tribal, and public two-year and technical colleges in Wisconsin and Montana.Stephanie is passionate about two-year education. She began her own educational journey at Spokane Falls Community College before transferring to the University of Montana to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communication and later masters and doctoral degrees. Her career path started in advertising and marketing after college graduation, and she proudly applies this transferable skill to her role as the CEO/Dean at Great Falls College MSU since July 2021, and in previous higher ed positions at other institutions for the last several years.With an impressive record of promoting leadership within two-year educational institutions, Stephanie constantly strives to remove barriers for students so they can improve their economic situations and civic responsibilities through education. While offering the appropriate programs of study, hiring suitable people, and providing adequate financial support, a big part of her work involves creating a brand and marketing it to a broader audience. Not only does a strong brand attract students to the campus and encourage them to attend, but a strong brand also builds a community, resulting in higher persistence leading to more graduates. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Maya Demishkevichhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mayademishkevich/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:The Hidden Gem: Marketing Community Colleges is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook and Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO. Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Element451 is hosting the AI Engage Summit on Oct 29 and 30Register now for this free, virtual event.The future of higher ed is being redefined by the transformative power of AI. The AI Engage Summit brings together higher ed leaders, innovators, and many of your favorite Enrollify creators to explore AI’s impact on student engagement, enrollment marketing, and institutional success. Experience firsthand how AI is improving content personalization at scale, impacting strategic decision-making, and intuitively automating the mundane tasks that consume our time. The schedule is packed with real examples and case studies, so you leave knowing how to harness AI to drive meaningful change at your institution. Whether you’re looking to enhance student outcomes, optimize enrollment marketing, or simply stay ahead of the curve, the AI Engage Summit is your gateway to the next level of higher education innovation. Registration is free, save your spot today.
