Why Small Colleges Struggle with Enrollment — and How to Fix It (with Carnegie’s Eric Page)

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?"

Q1: About Eric’s Background

Q2: What Small Colleges are Facing Now
Q3: Enrollment as Infrastructure, Not Just Marketing
Q4: Storytelling

Q5: Leadership and Realistic Expectations
Q6: Looking Ahead