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Grounded in research and real-world experience, my keynotes and presentations spark growth in how higher ed professionals communicate, lead, and connect. Are you ready to bring your community together?
Previous Speaking Engagements:
![[Logo] University of North Carolina Asheville](https://i0.wp.com/www.josieahlquist.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/UNCAvl_V-logo_black_RGB.png?fit=300%2C160&ssl=1){kind=logo}
When they arrive on campus, today’s students are already immersed in a digital world — and the technology sitting at their fingertips evolves faster than most institutions can adapt. Faculty and staff often find themselves reacting instead of leading. Meanwhile, students may not see how their online presence impacts their opportunities and sense of belonging.
My keynotes and workshops for higher education close that gap, empowering attendees to engage online with purpose, confidence, and care. From workshops for university staff to digital leadership training for student leaders, each session offers practical tools and heart-centered insights to strengthen connections in your community.
Whether you serve in student affairs, enrollment management, academic leadership, or the executive cabinet, leading and communicating effectively online has never been more essential. My research-driven keynotes and workshops equip higher education professionals to stay ahead of digital trends while staying true to your institution’s mission and values.
Each program is customized for your audience and goals, offering actionable strategies, practical tools, and reflective moments that help your campus community thrive both online and in person.
Technology evolves quickly, from TikTok to ChatGPT and beyond. This session helps higher education professionals move beyond trends to create purposeful, values-based communication that resonates with today’s students and prospective students.
In higher education today, digital leadership isn’t optional — it’s essential. This session draws on years of research with campus leaders to help you show up online with purpose, align with institutional values, and build trust and connection across your community.
In an age of digital noise and nonstop connection, it’s easy to forget that technology can also be a powerful force for good. This session explores how higher ed professionals can use digital spaces to nurture wellness, belonging, and authentic community. Participants will leave with research-informed strategies for online environments that sustain well-being and inspire meaningful engagement.
When used with purpose, social media can enrich learning, spark engagement, and strengthen faculty-student relationships. This session offers practical, research-informed strategies for integrating digital platforms into your teaching practice — helping you meet students where they are, inspire participation, and achieve measurable learning outcomes.
Need a custom approach? I offer personalized sessions for individuals and campus teams — from 90-minute webinars to multi-day retreats — focused on building real-world digital communication skills. Together, we’ll strengthen how you lead, engage, and tell your campus story online with purpose and confidence.
Students spend more time online than ever, but frequent use doesn’t always translate to digital confidence or leadership. Through evidence-based keynotes and workshops, I help students lead online with purpose — managing their digital reputation, building a standout presence, and shaping a healthy, authentic digital life. Each session is honest, engaging, and packed with real-world takeaways they can apply right away.
This session introduces the fundamentals of digital leadership, guiding students to reflect on their online activity and use it intentionally. Participants will learn how to shape their digital presence for personal well-being, professional success, and authentic connection in the college years and beyond.
This interactive session takes a heart-centered look at digital life, helping students find balance and purpose online. Through reflection and practical exercises, participants learn mindfulness techniques, intention-setting, and strategies to align their social media use with their values, goals, and overall well-being.
The job hunt is competitive — but students who manage their online presence with intention stand out. This session helps students build a professional digital brand across platforms like LinkedIn and personal websites. Participants will learn five core tools for shaping a positive digital reputation and moving from passive content consumers to confident, career-ready creators.
Student leaders play a vital role in shaping a spirit of community, both on campus and online. This hands-on session equips them with tools to create and sustain vibrant digital spaces. Participants will learn four key principles of online community-building and leave with practical strategies to engage members, celebrate achievements, and keep their communities connected all year long.
Need a custom approach? I offer personalized sessions for individuals and campus teams — from 90-minute webinars to multi-day retreats — focused on building real-world digital communication skills. Together, we’ll strengthen how you lead, engage, and tell your campus story online with purpose and confidence.
I present practical steps that can help students make powerful change on social media. Whether that’s by helping them set healthy boundaries and “unplug” or getting them job-ready with a stellar LinkedIn profile, I always approach my college audiences with honesty and leave them with concrete takeaways.
I’m Dr. Josie Ahlquist — digital engagement and leadership strategist, researcher, author, and educator. I help higher education professionals and mission-driven organizations harness the power of digital communication to lead with authenticity, build thriving online communities, and tell their stories with purpose.
Through my consulting work, I offer tailored, hands-on support in marketing and communications strategy, executive coaching, upskilling for teams, and keynote speaking. My approach is grounded in research and fueled by empathy, helping clients lead online with clarity and confidence.
You can follow my insights and interviews on my blog and podcast, with content featured by EdTech Magazine, Inside Higher Ed, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. I’m also the author of Digital Leadership in Higher Education (2020), an Amazon #1 New Release.
Let’s connect! You’ll find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and Bluesky.
Rebekah Tilley is the assistant vice president of communication and marketing for the University of Iowa Center for Advancement (UICA). In that role she supports fundraising and alumni engagement efforts for the university, including its CASE Gold winning Iowa Magazine, and serves UICA in a variety of strategic communication efforts.
Previously she was the director of strategic communication for the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business, and the director of communication for the University of Kentucky College of Law. She is a Kentucky native and a proud alum of the University of Kentucky.
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