Big or Small, Let’s Celebrate Them All!

Hey there, friends!

Let’s have a quick chat about something we often forget to do—celebrate our accomplishments!

Did you know that positive psychology research shows celebrating even the small wins has a bigger impact than waiting for that one big moment? It keeps us engaged, reminds us that we're on the right path, builds our confidence and just makes us feel good.

So when’s the last time you took a moment to acknowledge something you’ve achieved, no matter how small? If it’s been a while, this is your reminder to start celebrating those everyday wins!

And speaking of celebrations, I’m excited to share that I’ve just recorded?Episode 20?of?The Hidden Gem?podcast! ??

If you’ve been tuning in since Episode 1, thank you! I’d love it if you could take a minute to leave a review (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) and share your favorite episode with your network— it helps more community college professionals discover the podcast. We’re in this together, and your input makes all the difference!

Coming up are three great episodes about building campus pride with Eve Markman , Assistant Vice President for Brand Management and Operations at Community College of Philadelphia; strategies for bringing adults back with John McGreal, Dean of Enrollment Services at Waukesha County Technical College County Technical College; and how to drive enrollment with program-specific marketing with Alana Villemez , CEO of Most Likely to Succeed.

If you’re new here, don’t worry—you can catch up! Here’s a quick recap of the recent gems you might have missed:

?? Episode #17: I spoke with Carrie Pitts-Densmore, M.S., APR , VP of Enrollment and Marketing at Johnson Community College, about streamlining internal communications to improve engagement and efficiency. ???Listen?now

?? Episode #16: Kaylan Gaines from Waukesha County Technical College joined me to discuss their approach to on-campus registration events to boost enrollment. ???Listen?now

???Episode #15: I chatted with Rob Zinkan , VP at RHB, about the importance of creating memorable experiences for community college stakeholders. ???Listen?now

?? Episode #14 & #13: In this two-part series, Diane Burkett from College of the Mainland breaks down the top 10 focus areas for mastering strategic enrollment marketing. ???Listen?now?to?Part 1?|?Listen?now?to?Part 2

?? Episode #12: Stephanie Erdmann, PhD of Great Falls College shares how their mascot rebranding strengthened the college’s identity and community spirit. ???Listen?now

?? Episode #11: Lilian Clemente from Front Range Community College reveals how to build a dream marketing team to drive success at a community college. ???Listen?now

?? Episode #10: Martha Parham from AACC discusses the pivotal role data-driven advocacy plays in shaping the future of community colleges nationwide. ???Listen?now

???Episode #9: Join Edward Willey, Belinda Mouradian Ph.D. , and Matthew Lenihan from Palm Beach State College as they explore community colleges’ essential role in workforce development and building local partnerships. ???Listen?now

???Episode #8: Blair Lee from Community College of Aurora (now Colorado State University) shares strategies for strengthening regional workforce development through communication and partnerships. ???Listen?now

?? Episode #7: Eddie Francis from the 'I Wanna Work There' podcast discusses the importance of employer branding and its impact on employee satisfaction and attraction. ???Listen?now

?? Episode #6: In this episode, Lisa Slappy from Carroll Community College and Peter Toran from idfive explore how integrated marketing and communications can strengthen a college’s brand and impact, from digital channels to physical infrastructure. ???Listen?now

?? Episode #5: A behind-the-scenes look at how County College of Morris transformed its marketing and enrollment strategies with Anthony Iacono and Melissa Albright. ???Listen?now

??? Episode #4: Branding expert Nancie McDonnell Ruder discusses the power of perception and how branding can reshape the success of community colleges. ???Listen?now

??? Episode #3: Together with Dan Baum from Anne Arundel Community College and Keith Paul from Northern Essex Community College, we explore how marketing plays a crucial role beyond promotion, influencing community college growth and student success. ???Listen?now

?? Episode #2: Devin Purgason from Forsyth Technical College discusses how integrating marketing with student care can reimagine the student experience from inquiry to enrollment. ???Listen?now

?? Episode #1: Anthony Cruz, Ed.D. shares his refreshing approach to leadership as a marketing-savvy president, using marketing and social media to boost enrollment and community engagement at Miami Dade College (now at Milwaukee Area Technical College). ???Listen?now

Big thanks to all of my guests for sharing their experiences and to YOU for being part of this journey. ??

What wins (or learning opportunities—aka failures) are you going to celebrate today? Big or small, I’d love to hear about them!?

Maya ??