--- title: "Episode 168: Navigating Enrollment Trends and Student Engagement in Higher Ed" description: Amid growing competition and changing student demographics, institutions must prioritize creating environments that promote a sense of belonging and access image: https://moderncampus.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/illumintation-by-modern-campus-Mar-13-2026-07-15-08-5720-PM.png --- [Skip to content](https://moderncampus.com/podcast/episode-onehundredsixtyeight#main-content) [![modern-campus-primary-color-r](https://moderncampus.com/hubfs/modern-campus-primary-color-r.svg) ](https://moderncampus.com/) - Products Web Content Management - [Web Content Management | CMS](https://moderncampus.com/products/web-content-management) - [Career Planning | Career Pathways](https://moderncampus.com/products/career-pathways-planning) Connected Curriculum & Co-Curricular - [Catalog Management | Catalog](https://moderncampus.com/products/catalog-management) - [Curriculum Management | Curriculum ](https://moderncampus.com/products/curriculum-management) - 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[Student Schedule Optimization | Navigate](https://moderncampus.com/products/student-schedule-optimization) - [Student Co-Curricular Management | Involve](https://moderncampus.com/products/student-engagement-and-learning-platform) - [Career Planning | Career Pathways](https://moderncampus.com/products/career-pathways-planning) - [Syllabus Management | Concourse Syllabus](https://moderncampus.com/partnerships/concourse-syllabus) Student Engagement & Involvement - [Student Co-Curricular Management | Involve](https://moderncampus.com/products/student-engagement-and-learning-platform) - [Conversational Text Messaging | Message](https://moderncampus.com/products/conversational-text-messaging-message) - [Career Planning | Career Pathways](https://moderncampus.com/products/career-pathways-planning) Continuing Education & Workforce Development - [Non-Traditional Student Management | Lifelong Learning](https://moderncampus.com/products/non-traditional-student-management) - [Career Planning | Career Pathways](https://moderncampus.com/products/career-pathways-planning) - Solutions Back ### Solutions - [Improve Enrollment](https://moderncampus.com/solutions/improve-enrollment) - [Drive Engagement](https://moderncampus.com/solutions/drive-engagement) - [Streamline Staff Operations](https://moderncampus.com/solutions/streamline-staff-operations) - [Improve Student Retention](https://moderncampus.com/solutions/improve-student-retention) - Services Back ### Services Professional Services - [Services](https://moderncampus.com/services) Design Services - [Design Studio](https://moderncampus.com/services/design-studio) - Support Back ### Support - [Simple Menu Item ](https://moderncampus.com/in-the-news) - [Simple Menu Item 2](https://moderncampus.com/in-the-news) - [Simple Menu Item 3](https://moderncampus.com/in-the-news) - Resources Back ### Resources - [Resource Center](https://resources.moderncampus.com/) - [Blog](https://moderncampus.com/blog) - [Illumination Podcast](https://moderncampus.com/podcast) - [Success Stories](https://moderncampus.com/success-stories) - [Web Events](https://moderncampus.com/web-events) - [Conferences & Trade Shows](https://moderncampus.com/conferences-and-tradeshows) - [Canadian User Summit](https://userconference.moderncampus.com/canadiansummit) - [The EvoLLLution](https://moderncampus.com/evolllution) - About Back ### About - [Our Story](https://moderncampus.com/our-story) - [Leadership](https://moderncampus.com/leadership) - [Newsroom](https://moderncampus.com/newsroom) - [Partners](https://moderncampus.com/about/partners) - [Careers](https://moderncampus.com/careers) - [Contact Us](https://moderncampus.com/contact-us) [ Request a Demo ](https://moderncampus.com/request-demo) ![](https://moderncampus.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/illumintation-by-modern-campus-Mar-13-2026-07-15-08-5720-PM.png) Share This Post # Episode 168: Navigating Enrollment Trends and Student Engagement in Higher Ed --- Amid growing competition and changing student demographics, institutions must prioritize creating environments that promote a sense of belonging and accessibility. From focusing on return on investment to strengthening student affairs, it is crucial for higher education to maintain strong student engagement. On this episode, Gary Brown, Vice President of Student Success, Well-being and Belonging at Hollins University, discusses the need prioritize innovative retention strategies and the key role student affairs plays in driving student engagement.   **Full Episode** * Access the raw transcript [here. ](https://illuminationbymoderncampus.buzzsprout.com/)* [Listen on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/3hXu2ictlccsgY9XIYGchi)  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/illumination-by-modern-campus/id1575912479) [![Episode 257: The Connection That Outlasts Graduation](https://moderncampus.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/illumintation-by-modern-campus-Mar-13-2026-07-20-49-1429-PM.png) ](https://moderncampus.com/podcast/episode-257) [Episode 257: The Connection That Outlasts Graduation](https://moderncampus.com/podcast/episode-257) [Learn More →](https://moderncampus.com/podcast/episode-257) [![Episode 256: Personalized Engagement That Matters](https://moderncampus.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/illumintation-by-modern-campus-Mar-13-2026-07-20-49-1429-PM.png) ](https://moderncampus.com/podcast/episode-256) [Episode 256: Personalized Engagement That Matters](https://moderncampus.com/podcast/episode-256) [Learn More →](https://moderncampus.com/podcast/episode-256) [![Episode 255: The Liberal Arts Advantage in a Changing World](https://moderncampus.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/illumintation-by-modern-campus-Mar-13-2026-07-20-49-1429-PM.png) ](https://moderncampus.com/podcast/episode-255) [Episode 255: The Liberal Arts Advantage in a Changing World](https://moderncampus.com/podcast/episode-255) [Learn More →](https://moderncampus.com/podcast/episode-255) ## Connect with us to learn how Modern Campus can drive transformation at your institution! 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