GradComm

GradComm GradComm is a marketing and branding agency that works exclusively with community colleges and public education partners.

Last month, the GradComm leadership team took a step back from the day-to-day deadlines, meetings, and campaigns to do s...
05/29/2026

Last month, the GradComm leadership team took a step back from the day-to-day deadlines, meetings, and campaigns to do something just as important: pause, reset, and think strategically about the future of higher ed.

The best ideas don’t happen by accident. They happen when passionate people come together, challenge each other, share ideas openly, and stay focused on one important goal: helping colleges move forward.

Because we’re not here to deliver the same ideas every other agency is delivering. We’re here to bring colleges bold thinking, fresh strategy, and creative work that sparks change, drives innovation, and helps institutions stand out in a crowded landscape.

Big thank you to our leadership team: Cheryl Broom, Christopher Walker, Carrie Smith, MBA, Jamie McNinch and Michael Mahin, Ph.D. for showing up with creativity, honesty, and a shared commitment to bringing the very best of who we are to the colleges and communities we serve.

05/28/2026

What happens when someone says marketing is using “too much AI”?

In this month’s Client Question of the Month, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom tackles one of the biggest conversations happening in higher ed marketing right now: the role of AI in strategy development.

Cheryl explains why the real challenge isn’t using too much AI—it’s not understanding how to use it thoughtfully. From enrollment messaging to audience strategy, great marketing still depends on human expertise, institutional knowledge, and real-world experience.

She also explores how colleges can move beyond generic AI tools by training systems on their own institution’s messaging, audiences, and goals.

That’s exactly why we built AMY—the first AI marketing tool designed specifically for community college communicators and marketers.

Learn more at www.gradcomm.com/AMY/

It’s graduation season, and we’re celebrating the incredible accomplishments of our staff, family, and friends as they r...
05/23/2026

It’s graduation season, and we’re celebrating the incredible accomplishments of our staff, family, and friends as they reach new milestones and chase even bigger dreams. 🎓✨

In 2024, ’s daughter, Jasi earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science. This past semester, she continued her journey by returning to the classroom and completing her EMT certificate at .

Jasi is always soaring toward her next adventure, and we can’t wait to see where her passion and determination take her next. Congratulations, Jasi! 👏

This week we’re on site at for a shoot supporting their career center. We look forward to seeing the campaign come to l...
05/21/2026

This week we’re on site at for a shoot supporting their career center. We look forward to seeing the campaign come to life.

The best part of National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) conferences? The people.Conferences are all ...
05/20/2026

The best part of National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) conferences? The people.

Conferences are all about connection, and we’re so grateful we get to connect with so many of you. Meeting friends like Pam from Western Dakota Tech makes our time truly memorable. She brings the kind of s***k and authenticity we love to see in higher ed marketing. Keep it up Pam 😍👋

Need a little inspiration for your next RFP? We’ve got you covered.At GradComm, we’ve curated a list of real RFPs from c...
05/19/2026

Need a little inspiration for your next RFP? We’ve got you covered.

At GradComm, we’ve curated a list of real RFPs from colleges just like yours so you can see how your peers are structuring their requests, what they’re prioritizing, and where they’re getting results.

No templates. No fluff. Just real examples designed to make your job easier (and maybe a little faster, too).

Visit our website at gradcomm.com/sample-rfps

05/15/2026

If your marketing team’s calendar is 100% full… you may already be behind.
In this QuickTake episode from the Higher Education Conversations podcast, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom shares one of the most important lessons GradComm has learned while operating as an agency: you HAVE to build in flex time.
Because something will always come up:
➡️ A crisis
➡️ A leadership request
➡️ A last-minute campaign
➡️ An unexpected opportunity
And when your team has zero breathing room, every request feels frustrating instead of manageable.
That’s the difference between constantly reacting… and truly being prepared.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://gradcomm.com/podcast-ep-77-quick-take-why-college-marketing-teams-should-operate-like-agencies/

“Men aren’t opting out of higher ed. They’re searching for a future they can count on.”That’s one of the biggest takeawa...
05/13/2026

“Men aren’t opting out of higher ed. They’re searching for a future they can count on.”

That’s one of the biggest takeaways from a recent blog written by our very own Jamie Wagner on one of higher education’s most overlooked student segments: men.

The conversation around male students often misses an important point. Many men aren’t turning away from education—they’re searching for stability, opportunity, and economic mobility.

For some, college isn’t about school spirit or “the college experience.” It’s about practical questions like:

• Will this help me support my family?
• Can I work while earning a degree?
• How quickly can I get into a good-paying career?

And the answers matter differently depending on where they are in life. Younger men may be looking for connection and growth, while adult learners often prioritize flexibility, ROI, and job-ready skills.

So how do colleges better connect with this audience?

✔️ Be clear about outcomes
✔️ Show relatable student stories
✔️ Highlight fast, flexible pathways
✔️ Make support visible and proactive

At the end of the day, men want what all students want: a future that feels possible.

Most AI tools feel like interns who skipped orientation. 😅Not AMY.📌 She knows your college’s voice. 📌 She respects your ...
05/12/2026

Most AI tools feel like interns who skipped orientation. 😅

Not AMY.

📌 She knows your college’s voice.
📌 She respects your brand guidelines.
📌 She was literally built to help colleges like yours get work DONE.

Tired of rewriting ChatGPT drafts from scratch? Give AMY a spin. Reach out to Cheryl Broom or Carrie Smith if you have any questions.

05/07/2026

Growth doesn’t always come from learning something new; it can come from seeing the world through a different lens.

While in New Orleans for the 2025 National Council for Marketing & Public Relations Conference, GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom stayed an extra day to experience her Gradspiration at the Whitney Plantation.

She discovered more than history. She discovered truth, perspective, and a powerful reminder of the stories that deserve to be heard.

✨ Gradspiration gives our team the opportunity to step outside their day-to-day and pursue meaningful learning experiences that inspire growth.

Address

Oceanside, CA
92056

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when GradComm posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category