Telling Our Story: AI, Influence, and the Future of Higher Ed Marketing with Thomas Broadus

What does it mean to market a university in a time of rapid change?In this episode of UnchartED State, hosts Susan Seal and Maddie Ludt are joined by Thomas Broadus, Chief Marketing Officer at Mississippi State University. With more than two decades of experience in marketing, digital strategy, and communications, Thomas shares how universities are rethinking storytelling, brand strategy, and audience engagement in a fast-moving media landscape.The conversation explores how higher education marketing has evolved, from traditional advertising and paid media to authentic storytelling, influencer-style student content, and algorithm-driven discovery. Thomas also discusses how emerging technologies like AI are reshaping marketing workflows, search visibility, and how prospective students discover universities.Along the way, the discussion highlights the challenge of communicating higher education’s value in an era when public trust is shifting, and why telling real stories of impact, research, and student success matters more than ever.In This Episode:What a Chief Marketing Officer does at a universityHow storytelling shapes a university’s brand and reputationThe growing role of student voices and authentic contentHow AI and AEO is transforming marketing, search, and content creationWhy universities must rethink how prospective students discover programsCommunicating the value and impact of higher education todayUsing storytelling to connect research, learning, and real-world outcomesFrom brand strategy to emerging technologies, this episode offers an inside look at how universities are navigating the evolving world of higher education marketing.