Viv Academy

Viv Academy is an exclusive 8-week, cohort-based program designed for aspiring marketers looking to make an impact on higher education marketing. Participants will work directly with our CEO, Suzan Brinker, gaining hands-on experience and expert mentorship.

Throughout the program, you'll collaborate on a real-world project syllabus, develop key skills, and create a final project that showcases your abilities. We’ll pay you a stipend while you learn and grow with us. At the end of the program, standout participants will have the opportunity to join Viv Higher Education in a full-time role.

Instructor

Suzan Brinker, PhD is a higher education strategist, marketer, author, and podcast host. She is the co-founder and CEO of Viv Higher Education, a Boston-based, woman-owned full-service marketing agency for colleges and universities.

Suzan is the author of Pass / Fail:
The Urgent Need for Strategic Leadership in Higher Education, which was published in 2024. She also hosts the Higher Ed Leaders Podcast.

Suzan and her collaborative team specialize in helping colleges and universities differentiate themselves through market-aligned brands and programs rooted in market research, strategic planning, and a content-first approach to authentic marketing that builds trust and engages prospects at every stage of the funnel.

In addition to leading her agency team’s work across projects with institutions of all types and sizes for the past five years, Suzan brings in-house experience from her roles as

• Director of Marketing at Penn State World Campus
• Director of Marketing at Northeastern University
• Fractional CMO at Assumption University

Suzan grew up in Germany with a Turkish father and a German mother. She fell in love with American higher education when she came to the U.S. to study English as an undergraduate exchange student bert College. From there, she earned her M.A. in communication from Marquette and her PhD in Higher Education from Penn State.

The 8-week cohort, led by Suzan Brinker, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of Viv Higher Education, offers a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practices of higher education marketing. The curriculum includes weekly asynchronous modules and live coaching sessions with Dr. Brinker, allowing participants to dive into subjects such as branding, market research, audience segmentation, and innovative marketing trends. Participants will also complete a capstone project, applying their learning to a real-world challenge in higher education marketing.

Asynchronous Work: Weekly modules including video lectures, readings, and assignments.

Live Coaching Sessions: Weekly interactive coaching sessions with Suzan Brinker, PhD, for Q&A, discussion of module topics, and personalized feedback.

Asynchronous Work: 4-6 hours

• Module Readings and Video Lectures: 2-3 hours
• Assignments and Exercises: 2-3 hours

Live Coaching Session: 1-1.5 hours

• Weekly Live Session: 1 hour (with some time for Q&A)
• Preparation for the Live Session: 0.5 hours
• Total Estimated Weekly Commitment: 5-7.5 hours

Mondays at 2 PM EST

Week 1: Introduction to Higher Education Marketing
Week 2: Market Research and Marketing Planning
Week 3: (No class )
Week 4: Branding, Differentiation, and Positioning in Higher Ed
Week 5: Understanding Your Audience, Marketing Personas, and Psychographic Messaging
Week 6: Enrollment Goals, Performance Marketing Planning, Channel Strategy, and Data Analytics
Week 7: Content-First Strategies, Content Calendars, and Multimedia Storytelling
Week 8: Trends, Innovations, and Entrepreneurial Leadership in Higher Education Marketing
Week 9: Capstone…