Brain Waves Blog

How One Campus President Is Building Trust: An Interview

How One Campus President Is Building Trust: An Interview

September 11, 2024

We’ve shared our strategies and recommendations for how leaders can rebuild trust on campus, but it’s not always as clear-cut to put it into practice. When we developed our social intelligence research, we had the opportunity to share it with Rebecca Ehretsman, president of Wartburg College. She shared some thoughts on the implications of our research.

Read More
Building Trust in Divided Times, Brand Insights

Building Trust in Divided Times

August 28, 2024

Last academic year ended tumultuously for many campuses with protests and graduation converging at the end of the semester. We’ve spent some time thinking about how campuses can reimagine, reframe, and rebuild their place in communities and society—and the public’s trust—amidst the current state of unrest in the Middle East and on many campuses. A key concern is understanding how to center our audiences and their needs when we know they’re far from homogenous.

Read More
The Power of Alumni: Engagement Strategies to Advance Your Campus, Brand Insights

The Power of Alumni: Engagement Strategies to Advance Your Campus

August 21, 2024

Alumni are a valuable asset and nurturing relationships with them contributes to the future success of your campus. Proud alumni share their experience with others to potentially sway an undecided student or make a gift to help current and future students shine even brighter on campus. Their authentic campus outcomes stories strengthen audience connections and generate positive affinity for your brand. 

Read More
Stop Defending, Start Serving: 4 Ways to Rebuild Trust in Higher Ed, Strategy Insights

Stop Defending, Start Serving: 4 Ways to Rebuild Trust in Higher Ed

June 27, 2024

We don’t need another study proclaiming that public trust in colleges and universities is at an all-time low in our country. The conclusions are predictable, and so is the response; a defense of higher education as it always has been, often putting the blame on the public who just doesn’t get why it’s so important. Defending, rather than listening to understand, is doing more harm than good.

Read More