In this episode of the Education Marketing Leader podcast, I sat down with Yane Nemeroff, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Miami Dade College and host of the Non-Traditional Scholar Podcast to talk about how to market to non-traditional students without the fluff.

Yane joined me to break down what higher ed marketers need to know about this growing audience.

⚡ Key takeaways:

• “Non-traditional” doesn’t mean just parents or veterans. It’s anyone who didn’t go straight from high school to college.
• Relevance is everything. Don’t sell the experience — show the outcome.
• Collaborate with faculty. Their insight can refine your message.
• Real stories convert. Highlight students like Gloria, who went from running a pizza shop to earning her degree and becoming a teacher.
• Offer options, not ultimatums — trades and 4-year degrees aren’t enemies.
• Platforms matter: Spotify for younger students, Facebook for older ones.
• Be honest. Don’t lead with a benefit they may not qualify for. It backfires.

This one’s packed with insights for anyone targeting adult learners, career changers, or returning students.

To close the episode, Yane said something that stuck with me:

“We can’t dangle the carrot and lock it in a cage. Be honest. Be human. These students have been through enough.”

📲 Listen to the full convo today.

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Until next time. ✌️