Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in higher education. I'm Dean Hoke, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds.
Eric Page is Chief Client Officer at Carnegie—Higher Ed Marketing & Enrollment, where he leads strategy and solutions that help colleges and universities navigate complex enrollment, marketing, and institutional challenges. With more than 15 years of experience in higher education communications, enrollment strategy, and marketing, Eric blends data-informed planning with innovative storytelling and digital engagement to drive meaningful outcomes for a diverse range of institutions. Before joining Carnegie, he led admissions recruitment and marketing efforts at the University of Iowa. He holds a BS in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from St. Ambrose University, grounding his work in both strategic expertise and collaborative leadership. Eric is a respected voice in higher ed, known for advancing effective, student-centered practices.
Eric, welcome to the show! Before Dean leads us off with the first question, I believe you also worked at a couple of newspapers early in your career—the Quad City Times and Eau Claire Leader-Telegram? Were you a reporter? What was that experience like?"

Dean: Eric, before we dive into enrollment strategy, could you briefly describe your path from campus-based admissions and marketing into your current national role at Carnegie—and how that experience shapes the way you think about enrollment risk and opportunity for small colleges that are tuition-dependent?
How does having lived on both sides—inside an institution and now as an external advisor—change the way you approach presidents and cabinets?

Kent: From your vantage point, working with institutions across the country, what are the most common enrollment challenges you’re seeing among small private colleges today—and how have those shifted over the past few years? Also are you seeing more colleges reach out proactively, or are most still coming in at a point of urgency?

Dean: Many institutions still think of enrollment primarily as marketing campaigns or lead generation. You often talk about enrollment as a full institutional system. What does that really mean in practice—and why is that distinction so critical for small colleges?

Kent: Almost every college says they offer a personalized experience. In your work, what actually differentiates institutions that break through the noise from those that struggle to articulate their value? And how do data and storytelling work together in that process?

Dean: You spend a lot of time with presidents, cabinets, and enrollment teams. Where do you most often see misalignment between institutional strategy and enrollment execution? And when colleges engage external partners, what’s a realistic timeline for seeing meaningful impact?

Kent: Eric, looking three to five years out, what capabilities do small colleges need to start building now if they want to remain viable and competitive? And what advice would you give presidents who feel overwhelmed by the pace of change?"
If you had to name just one priority for 2026 planning cycles, what would it be?

Closing - Dean: Eric, thank you for joining us today—and for bringing such a grounded, real-world perspective to this conversation. Your insights reflect both your campus experience and your broader work with institutions nationwide, and we’re grateful for the practical wisdom and optimism you brought to today’s discussion.
For those listening or viewing, if you'd like to learn more about Small College America, go to our web page at www.smallcollegeamerica.net, where you can find details on upcoming episodes, contact us, and suggest topics you’d like us to cover.
This episode of Small College America is made possible with underwriting support from Edu Alliance Group — a higher education consulting firm that champions small colleges and the communities they serve.
On behalf of our guest, Eric Page, my co-host Kent Barnds, and I, thank you for joining us.