Marketing the Humanities - Strategies for Elevating SHAPE Subjects in Higher Education a Conversation with Kyle Campbell

The humanities are facing an uphill battle in higher education, with budget cuts and declining enrollments. But are we missing an opportunity? 🤔In this episode, Kyle Campbell joins host Chris Rapozo to discuss the shifting landscape of SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts for People and the Economy) subjects and how universities can better market them.🔍 Key Topics Covered: ✅ The missed opportunities in humanities marketing – Why universities are cutting humanities programs at the worst possible time. ✅ AI and the rise of critical thinking – How the humanities are becoming more relevant than ever in an AI-driven world. ✅ The student perspective – Why young people still choose humanities despite job market concerns. ✅ The power of storytelling in marketing humanities – Why raw data isn’t enough and how universities can craft compelling narratives. ✅ Interdisciplinary learning – How schools like the London Interdisciplinary School and Arizona State University are redefining education. ✅ The role of podcasts and digital storytelling – How institutions like Purdue and Syracuse are using alumni stories to boost their brand.🎯 Actionable Takeaways for Higher Ed Marketers: 🔹 Stop leading with job outcomes – Many students choose humanities for passion and purpose first. Speak to that. 🔹 Invest in experiential marketing – Prospective students need to feel the value of these programs through events, content, and storytelling. 🔹 Create employer-student connections – Feature real employer testimonials alongside student success stories. 🔹 Build interdisciplinary bridges – Partner humanities programs with STEM to show real-world applications. 🔹 Leverage digital platforms – Whether it’s podcasting, YouTube, or immersive online experiences, universities need to meet students where they are.Memorable Quotes:💡 (04:32) “The number one programming language of the future isn’t Python or Java—it’s English.” – Chris Rapozo 💡 (06:59) “Young people aren’t just looking for careers. They’re looking for meaning, purpose, and passion.” – Kyle Campbell 💡 (10:35) “We need universities to stop treating humanities as expendable when critical thinking is more essential than ever.” – Kyle Campbell 💡 (16:08) “The idea of being a thought leader is that you lead with your thoughts. But too often, thought leadership just repeats the same ideas over and over.” – Kyle Campbell 💡 (20:43) “If humanities students graduate with the ability to create and distribute content effectively, they’ll be miles ahead in the job market.” – Kyle CampbellResources & Links:📩 Subscribe to Kyle’s Newsletter: The Education Marketer 📌 Follow Kyle on LinkedIn: Kyle Campbell Listen to more episodes#HigherEd #EducationMarketing #Humanities #SHAPE #MarketingLeadership #Podcast