On October 21–22, leaders from Risepoint, Google, and a select group of university partners gathered in New York City for the annual Risepoint + Google Partner Summit. The event brought together higher education and marketing leaders to explore how innovation, data, and collaboration can drive stronger outcomes for students and institutions.
The Summit welcomed academic leaders from institutions, including:
- Alverno College
- Concordia University–St. Paul
- East Central University
- Eastern Oregon University
- Lamar University
- Pittsburg State University
- St. Thomas University
- University of South Carolina Aiken
- University of Texas at Arlington
- Youngstown State University
Thank you to these partner institutions for joining our session!
Hosted at Google’s St. John’s Terminal campus, one of the company’s most sustainable and innovative office spaces, the 2025 Summit centered on the theme “Rising Together to Create Stronger Outcomes.” Over two days of sessions, discussion, and connection, the Summit showcased how Risepoint and Google are combining technology, insights, and creativity to help universities stay ahead in a rapidly changing higher education landscape.
Key Themes and Sessions
Here is a closer look at the key sessions from the day.
Understanding Today’s Student
Google’s Strategy and Insights Lead, Allie Bartoszewicz, joined Kerry Pokorny, VP of Research and Insights at Risepoint to explore how student expectations continue to evolve. The session provided a fresh look at what drives modern learners to explore, apply, and enroll, and how institutions can build meaningful connections through relevance and trust.
Marketing at the Forefront
Risepoint teammates Denise Jaeschke, Jen Towns, and Greg McLaurin joined Google Partner Lead Brendan Morris to discuss the evolution of marketing strategy and performance. They shared how Risepoint is investing in creative innovation, advanced data analytics, and channel optimization to accelerate partner growth and create measurable impact.
The Future of Search
Google’s Wyn Ismert and Risepoint teammate Stacie Bogdan unpacked the shift toward AI-driven search experiences. As “zero-click” results and AI agents reshape discoverability, the session explored how institutions can ensure their expertise and programs remain visible, accurate, and relevant across evolving platforms.
Partner Roundtable
The day concluded with an open discussion led by Susan Dukes and Fernando Lau, where university leaders shared perspectives on student behavior, market dynamics, and partnership priorities for 2026.
Key Takeaways
- The student journey continues to evolve, driven by personalization, trust, and accessibility.
- AI and automation will reshape marketing efficiency, creating both opportunities and challenges for higher education.
- Collaboration among institutions, Risepoint, and Google remains essential to reaching the right students with the right message at the right time.
Together, these sessions and experiences reinforced what makes the Risepoint and Google partnership so powerful: a shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and student success.
