Ep. 86: Data Without the Drama: Practical Tips for Higher Ed Marketers

Jaime Hunt welcomes back data strategist and higher ed consultant Joshua Dodson for a candid and practical discussion on data analytics in higher education. From redefining what makes data “good” to debunking common misinterpretations in marketing reports, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to better leverage data for enrollment and institutional strategy. The duo also explores the democratizing power of AI in data analysis, offering actionable tips on how even resource-constrained teams can get smarter with their data starting today.

Guest Name: Joshua Dodson, CEO and consultant at Honed Consulting

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuadodson/

Guest Bio: Joshua Dodson is a strategic marketing leader who knows higher education inside and out. With nearly 20 years of experience, he brings a unique perspective from working both inside institutions and as an outside consultant helping universities transform their marketing approach.

Joshua's career spans roles as an instructor, university AVP of digital marketing, web analytics strategist, and former Vice President of Marketing & Innovation at VisionPoint, where he led integrated marketing and web teams. He's known for consistently anticipating market trends, building consensus, and delivering measurable ROI on every project.

His track record speaks for itself—Joshua has helped modernize enrollment and marketing programs at major institutions including Bentley University, where his work generated the most marketing-generated leads in the university's history, plus Southern New Hampshire University, Eastern Kentucky University, and Lincoln Memorial University.

Beyond consulting, Joshua is a passionate educator and sought-after speaker who has delivered keynotes at national higher education marketing conferences and taught over 500 students as a faculty member with HigherEdExperts. He continues sharing his expertise through Dodson Academy (https://dodsonacademy.com), where he teaches professional development classes in marketing mix modeling, SEO, web analytics, and strategic marketing planning.

As CEO and consultant at Honed Consulting (https://honed.agency), Joshua works across multiple industries but specializes in higher education and non-profit marketing, helping organizations strengthen their performance marketing capabilities.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jaime Hunt
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/
https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMC

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.