Carrie Harris Phillips, Ed.D
Two Decades Shaping Higher Education Institutional Messaging
For nearly twenty years, I’ve been helping higher education institutions tell their stories. I started my career at the dawn of social media. During that first role, I learned key skills I use today: how to build buy-in, set smart strategies, and experiment with bold new ideas.
Since then, I’ve led teams of creatives, communicators, and marketers at multiple institutions. I’ve guided organizations through retrenchment, presidential resignations, milestone anniversaries, severe weather, campus crises, and even no-confidence votes. If it can happen in higher ed, chances are, I’ve lived it.
What I’ve learned is this: every moment matters. The right message at the right time builds trust, strengthen communities, and moves institutions forward. That’s the kind of expertise I bring to every stage, workshop, and engagement.
Research Interests
Marketing & the Enrollment Cliff
The enrollment cliff is incredibly complex, shaped by shifting demographics, institution type, and geography. My research breaks these factors down and shows how smart marketing tactics can help institutions not only weather it, but move forward stronger.
Leading Teams
for Success
With a foundation in leadership theory and years of practice, I offer actionable insights to help leaders support their teams and achieve lasting success. My focus is on practical strategies that strengthen people, build trust, and drive results.
Strategies for Collaboration
Collaboration isn’t optional in higher ed. It’s a must to be successful. I’ve published research and practical insights on how to strengthen partnerships across campus to achieve more, together.
Professional Overview
I bring a unique blend of academic training and hands-on leadership to higher education marketing. With three degrees in journalism and higher education, along with professional credentials from PRSA (APR) and AMA, I’ve built a solid foundation of both strategy and practice. Over the years, I’ve led award-winning efforts and delivered measurable results. I have solved capacity challenges, launched first-ever comprehensive campaigns, reversed long-term enrollment declines, and led transformative website redesigns.I continue helping institutions fix big challenges.
What People Are Saying
From keynote talks to executive workshops, the feedback speaks for itself. Here are just a few testimonials from people who’ve experienced my thought leadership firsthand.
Awards & Press
My work has been recognized nationally and regionally, including honors as a CASE District IV Rising Star and a Future Icon by Arkansas Money and Politics. I’ve led teams that earned a Grand Gold in enrollment marketing and were named Best In-House Design Team by UCDA. For two consecutive years, I’ve also been listed among the top higher ed marketers to follow. My insights have been featured in leading industry outlets including Inside Higher Ed, CASE Currents, and the Journal of Higher Education.