Connection First: Digital Engagement and AI Discovery for Today’s Campus

Webinar Overview

Connection is at the heart of today’s student experience—and it increasingly begins online. Social media, TikTok trends, and AI-powered tools are reshaping how students find, choose, and engage with colleges. This session bridges the critical but often siloed worlds of social media strategy, student engagement, and website search.

Two dynamic voices will guide this session on creating stronger student connections. Dr. Josie Ahlquist will reveal how authentic digital leadership builds trust, belonging, and engagement with today’s digital generation, moving beyond surface-level posts to purposeful strategies that strengthen community. Jeff Dillon will show how your website can become the true digital front door of your institution, using AI-powered site search to help students find critical resources instantly while uncovering insights that drive smarter decisions across marketing, enrollment, and student engagement.

In this webinar, you will

Hear how authentic digital leadership fosters trust, belonging, and connection
Learn practical strategies for student engagement through social posting to strengthen community
Learn how to increase the odds students can find essential resources quickly on your website
See what analytics from your onsite website search can tell you about what students truly need

Featured Speakers

Dr. Josie Ahlquist

Digital Engagement & Marketing Consultant

Josie Ahlquist guides leaders, organizations, and students to practice purposeful digital leadership through speaking, coaching, and consulting. Josie’s work is grounded in the grant-funded and award-winning research that has allowed her to train thousands around the globe as a speaker; provide consulting services to institutions and companies; and coach professionals in branding, voice, and positioning.

Jeff Dillon

Digital Strategist, SearchStax

Jeff Dillon is the Digital Strategist for Higher Education at SearchStax and is the founder of EdTech Connect, a technology marketplace designed exclusively for the higher education community.

Jeff has over 20 years of leadership experience in the higher education technology sector with expertise in search engines, artificial intelligence, digital experience platforms, personalization strategies and communication tools.

Additional Resources

All New Research Report

SearchStax partnered with The Chronicle of Higher Education to survey 225+ marketing and web experience professionals in higher education. The survey covered:

The role of site search in delivering a great website experience
How higher ed leaders are thinking about content strategy
Gaps in marketing agility – from content creation to tuning search
Higher ed’s plan to invest in AI-powered tools

The result is a new, original research report: “Untapped Insights: The State of Site Search in Higher Education.”

AI Smart Assistant: Higher Ed’s Search Amplifier

Today’s students expect fast, intelligent search, and most higher ed websites aren’t delivering. Explore how AI-powered site search can close the gap, improve content discovery and help institutions meet rising expectations of their current, and future, generation of students.