In this enlightening episode, we welcome Dr. Martha Parham, the Senior VP of Public Relations for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), to discuss the pivotal role community colleges play in the higher education landscape. Martha provides an in-depth look at the challenges and opportunities facing community colleges across the United States, emphasizing the critical support AACC provides through leadership, advocacy, and advancement. From navigating policy changes in Washington D.C. to leveraging data-driven marketing strategies, this episode sheds light on how community colleges can enhance their impact on students and communities nationwide.

Key Takeaways:

• Ideas for leveraging data-driven strategies to enhance marketing and communication efforts, ensuring that community colleges effectively reach and engage their target audiences.
• Tips for navigating the challenges of rapid technological advancements, particularly the integration of AI in education, to enhance learning and operational efficiency.
• Guidance on maintaining effective advocacy for community colleges in Washington D.C., ensuring that their needs and contributions are recognized in legislative processes.
• Strategies for using comprehensive data to communicate the value and impact of community colleges, helping to shift public perceptions and underscore their critical role in higher education.

Guest Name: Dr. Martha M. Parham / Senior Vice President, Public Relations / American Association of Community Colleges

Guest Social: https://www.aacc.nche.edu/

Guest Bio: Dr. Martha M. Parham is the senior vice president, public relations for the American Association of Community Colleges. Parham leads the marketing, publications, media and public relations, and oversees AACC’s 21st Century Center.
Prior to joining AACC, Parham was the Director of Public Affairs, Marketing and Government Relations at the Coast Community College District, where she directed the marketing, communications, media and public relations, graphics and printing, and government relations and advocacy activities of the ninth largest community college district in California. She also served as the Executive Director to the Coast CCD Foundation. While at Coast, Parham lead the campaign for Measure M, securing nearly $800-million in General Obligation Bond funds for the district’s three colleges.
Parham is a member of the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations. She is a past president of the Community College Public Relations Organization (CCPRO) and served on the board for the Association of Community College Administrators. She has won numerous awards from NCMPR and CCPRO for her creativity in developing advertisements and publications, event planning and advocacy strategies. Parham has been the recipient of several awards, including All Pro Lifetime Achievement Award by the California Community College Public Relations Organization, and the Coast District Manager of the Year.
Prior to joining the staff at the Coast Community College District, Parham spent her time at Disneyland as an Imagineer, where she served in an administrative capacity tracking graphics and lighting design projects for Tarzan’s Treehouse, New Tomorrowland and the Disney Gallery.
A native of Virginia, Parham received her bachelor’s degree in English from Longwood University, a master’s degree in English in 2005, and her doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2011.

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Connect With Our Host:
Maya Demishkevich
https://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.
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