Client Testimonials
I love what I do — and who I get to work with. Here are a few reflections from clients I’ve had the privilege of supporting.
Trusted by Leaders in Higher Education
Dr. Ahlquist's innovative approaches and data-driven insights enabled us to connect with our campus community in meaningful new ways. Her guidance was invaluable in navigating the evolving digital landscape while staying true to our institutional values. I highly recommend Dr. Ahlquist to any educational leader looking to elevate their digital engagement efforts.
Mordecai Ian Brownlee, Ed.D.
President, Community College of Aurora
What a true gift connecting with Josie Ahlquist has been! She infused motivation and intentionality into our approaches of connecting with students. Whenever I see Josie's name, I pay attention, because I know I'll walk away informed and inspired.
Leanna Fenneberg, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President of Student Life, Duquesne University
As the leading educator, speaker, trainer, and consultant in all aspects of digital engagement, Dr. Ahlquist can help create, execute, and assess a plan to reimagine creative and meaningful ways to engage online. As a fellow colleague and executive, I recommend Josie above all others to help you actualize these goals.
Ed Cabellon
Interim VP for Student Experience, Frederick Community College
Higher Ed Consulting with Purpose and Heart
[Josie’s] guidance and expertise led to significant improvements in our overall digital engagement strategy, and in turn increased the level of engagement on social media to more than three times the previous year. ...I would highly recommend her for any organization seeking to improve its ability to effectively communicate and engage on a wide variety of digital platforms.
General Joe Ramirez
Former VP for Student Affairs, Texas A&M University
She not only delivered but exceeded expectations! Josie’s dynamic and engaging presentations and workshops, as well as her impactful consultation, firmly established the foundation for digital leadership in our student affairs division.
Levester Johnson, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs, Illinois State University
NACADA partnered with Dr. Ahlquist and her team in 2025 to help us align our marketing and communications with our goals around member outreach, recruitment, and retention and around strengthening our overall presence in higher education…In just a few months, Dr. Ahlquist and her team have exceeded any expectations.
Kyle Ross, Ed.D.
Executive Director, NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising
Social Media Strategy Training That Drives Results
Josie Ahlquist is my North Star when it comes to all things social media. She helps me achieve my professional goals in a way that feels authentic and meaningful to me. A true innovator, Josie is the real deal.
LaTonya Rease Miles
Vice President for Student Affairs, Illinois State University
[Josie’s] ability to break social media down from beginner to advanced created opportunities for our campus executive team as well as our more seasoned social media aficionados. The work that Dr. Ahlquist put in on our campus will pay dividends for years to come.
Eric Grospitch
Vice President for Student Life, Washburn University
Josie Ahlquist’s presentations to the Cal Lutheran community were both insightful and practical. By combining her scholarship with humor and hands-on activities, participants were challenged and engaged in how to develop an effective social media presence.
Michael R. Hillis, PhD
Dean and Professor - Graduate School of Education, California Lutheran University
Speaking Engagements That Spark Change
Dr. Josie Ahlquist was an engaging speaker during our first ever virtual conference in January 2021. 78% of respondents indicated they were "extremely satisfied" with her session on our post-conference survey. Her opening keynote on Digital Leadership in Student Affairs was a highlight of our event!
Stephanie Geyer
Associate Vice President for Marketing & Brand Strategy, University of Montana (former eduWeb Program Chair)
Josie's presentations and consultations…have been meticulously prepared, energetically delivered, and full of timely and sage advice. We value Josie for the ways in which she has stretched our understanding and use of social media as we work with students.
Christine Adam
Former Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at Thompson Rivers University
We selected Josie to kick off the new and improved eduWeb Summit with a goal of forming a group of ‘attendees’ into a community. She absolutely knocked it out of the park and set the perfect tone for the Summit. Josie knows how to blend solid scholarship and data with meaningful, heartfelt, and effective insights and strategies that inspired and delighted her audience in equal measure.
Jerran Hill
Director, Blackburn Institute at the University of Alabama (former conference chair, NASPA-Alabama)
About Josie
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.
