Higher Ed Pulse

In this special bonus episode of The Pulse from the Engage Summit, host Erin sits down with Kylee Beasley, a Content Strategist at Southeast Missouri State University, to unpack her very first conference experience at Engage. As a newcomer to both higher ed and conferences, Kylee offers a refreshing, real-time perspective on the energy, insights, and takeaways that make Engage a standout event. From AI in higher education to breaking silos in communication teams, this conversation is packed with inspiration for anyone looking to say "yes" to bold professional growth.

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Pulse Check: The Culture Code: Leading with Diversity — Part 5: Culturally Relevant Prospective Student Campus Visits

In the final part of this Pulse Check Series, host Christian Ponce sits down with Dr. Ana Luz Williams to dive into the importance of cultural intelligence and authenticity in higher ed marketing. The conversation explores how universities can better connect with Hispanic families through intentional campus events, thoughtful messaging, and a deeper understanding of cultural nuances. Dr. Williams shares personal stories and actionable strategies for creating inclusive, welcoming environments for prospective students and their families. If your institution is serious about im...

In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Carrie Phillips sits down with Michele Ehrhart, Chief Communications Officer at the University of Memphis, for a forward-thinking conversation on AI, leadership, and change management in higher education. Michele shares the mindset shifts and practical leadership skills needed to help teams embrace innovation in an era where transformation feels constant. It’s a powerful dialogue about building a culture of experimentation and making the most of the tools you already have.

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Mallory Willsea 
https://www.lin...

Carrie Phillips chats with Claire Masterson, Director of Marketing at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), about the evolving role of AI in higher education and how leadership strategies can support meaningful change. Claire shares how her team is using automation tools to reduce burnout, enhance student engagement, and foster a culture of experimentation. If you're looking to turn AI anxiety into empowerment, this episode delivers.

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Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

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In this bonus episode of Higher Ed Pulse recorded live at the 2025 Engage Summit, host Mallory Willsea sits down with Hannah Wilson, Knowledge Management and CRM Coordinator at Forsyth Tech Community College. This episode explores the vital role of clean data, the evolving relationship between humans and AI in student engagement, and how smart use of chatbots can revolutionize community college communications. From innovative experiments to real-world enrollment gains, Hannah shares how Forsyth Tech is leading the charge in AI implementation in higher ed.

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Erin Fields sits down with Safaniya Stevenson, a brand strategist, cultural analyst, and all-around narrative detective. The conversation centers on how tools like Pulsar’s Narrative AI can empower higher ed marketers to uncover meaningful audience stories, identify trend-worthy content, and track cultural conversations before they hit the mainstream. If you're ready to stop guessing and start understanding what your audience actually cares about, this one’s for you.

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Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

Abo...

In this special bonus episode of Higher Ed Pulse, recorded live at the Engage Summit, host Carrie Phillips sits down with Carrie Pitts-Densmore, VP of Enrollment and Marketing at Johnston Community College. Together, the two Carries unpack how to lead through rapid transformation, especially when it comes to adopting AI in enrollment operations. With themes of adaptive curiosity, culture change, and practical tech solutions, this episode offers a refreshing and actionable take on what it means to lead with purpose in a time of disruption.

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Mallory sits down with Patricia Tozzi to unpack one of the most pressing topics in higher ed today: AI governance and privacy in student data. As institutions increasingly lean on AI to inform decisions and streamline operations, how do we ensure transparency, equity, and compliance? Patricia offers a grounded perspective on where schools need to draw the line between innovation and risk.

Guest Name: Patricia Tozzi 

Guest Bio: Patricia Tozzi is a global marketing strategist with 20 years of experience, half of which she has dedicated to helping higher ed institutions grow their international student enrollment. A...

Mallory Willsea is live from Engage Summit 2025 in Charlotte, NC, chatting with Stella Liu, Lead Data Scientist of AI Acceleration at Arizona State University. The conversation dives into Stella’s journey from tech industry roles at Carvana and Shopify to pioneering ethical AI initiatives in higher education. Packed with insights on building responsible AI tools, this episode is a must-listen for enrollment marketers and higher ed leaders navigating the evolving digital landscape.

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Mallory Willsea 
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Pulse Check: The Culture Code: Leading with Diversity — Part 4: Enrollment Marketing and Technology 

Guest Name: Jennifer Lonchar Cofounder, AmbioEDU

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlonchar

Guest Bio: Jennifer Lonchar brings almost two decades of expertise in higher education, having worked in various roles focused on strategic enrollment and marketing. For over 13 years, she worked for Carnegie, a premier marketing firm, and was instrumental in bringing digital marketing to higher education. Her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the sector has made her a sought-after leader in developing innovative solutions for...

On this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea is joined by Brad Carson—former University of Tulsa president, former U.S. Congressman, and now president of Americans for Responsible Innovation—to explore how colleges are being drafted into America’s AI future. They break down the implications of two recent executive orders that effectively position higher education as both workforce engines and cybersecurity sentinels in the AI era. This isn’t a drill—colleges are now critical infrastructure. So, what role should higher ed play in shaping AI’s trajectory? Let’s dive in.

Guest Name: Brad Car...

Welcome to The Culture Code: Leading with Diversity — Part 3: Women Leadership in Empowering Future Generations in Higher Ed.

Christian Ponce sits down with Ray Martinez, VP and CEO of Archer Education, to unpack how AI and emerging technologies are disrupting and improving higher education marketing. With over 14 years of experience helping institutions like Tulane University and LSU Online elevate their SEO and content strategies, Ray offers deep insights into the tools, trends, and human-AI collaborations shaping the future of student recruitment. Whether you’re AI-curious or knee-deep in ed tech tools, this episode breaks it down with both...

In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea sits down with Sarah Russell, VP of Marketing at EducationDynamics, to unpack the seismic changes to Google Search and what it means for higher ed marketers. With AI Overviews now default in U.S. search and ad automation expanding fast, SEO and paid media are undergoing a full-blown transformation. The duo dives deep into how institutions must shift from ranking-focused strategies to becoming AI’s go-to source of truth — and why your data might be your greatest asset right now.

Related Links:
Google Marketing Live 2025 Updates

The Culture Code: Leading with Diversity — Part 2: Women in Leadership Empowering Future Generations

Host Christian Ponce sits down with Dr. Cristina Alcalde, Vice President for Transformation and Inclusive Excellence at Miami University, to explore how Latina leadership is reshaping the future of higher education. They unpack the educational attainment gap facing Hispanic communities, the role of cultural identity in leadership, and the power of mentorship and inclusion. Dr. Alcalde brings her lived experience as an immigrant, scholar, and advocate to a timely conversation on equity and representation in academia.

Guest Name: Dr. Cristina Alcalde, VP, Mi...

Mallory Willsea reunites with Seth Odell, CEO of Kanahoma, in a candid, unscripted conversation recorded live from the CASE conference in Los Angeles. From sponsoring a mechanical bull to building an AI-enabled agency, Seth dives into how Kanahoma is embracing artificial intelligence, transforming workflows, and preparing for a world where entry-level roles may be on the verge of extinction. This episode is equal parts insight and inspiration—and it might just change how you think about AI in higher ed.

Related Links:
Google Marketing Live 2025 Update
Google Marketing Live 2025: Everything you need to know

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Welcome to this new Pulse Check series, The Culture Code: Leading with Diversity. On today's Part 1, we’ll discuss the role of minority leadership in shaping higher education culture and messaging, how strategic leadership can drive positive outcomes, and how institutions can engage diverse communities through effective branding and outreach.

Guest Name: Frank Tramble, VP Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs, Duke University

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-tramble-mps-a7b81711/

Guest Bio: Frank is a seasoned communications professional with extensive experience in executive communications, crisis management, marketing, and brand strategy, playing a ke...

Mallory Willsea welcomes Jason Smith, founder of OHO, to discuss a game-changing shift in college discovery: the rise of AI as the starting point. With nearly a third of students now using generative AI like ChatGPT and Gemini to explore college options, and over half saying the results beat Google, this episode explores what it means for colleges to remain discoverable—and trustworthy—in the age of AI-first search.

Related Article: 
OHO Report: The Influence of AI Chatbots in the College Search Process

Guest Name: Jason Smith, Managing Director and Founder at OHO

Gue...

In this final episode of High School to Higher Ed II, Emma and her father discuss the expectations and dynamics of college visits from a high school student's perspective. They explore what an ideal college visit looks like, including the importance of small group tours, engaging with current students, and the significance of seeing both the positive and negative aspects of a campus. The conversation also touches on the role of tour guides, the importance of professionalism, and the realities of college life that students should consider when making their decisions.

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In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea sits down with Marina Cooper, Senior Associate Vice President for Integrated Marketing and Brand at Johns Hopkins University, to unpack how AI is rewriting the advertising playbook. As platforms like Meta roll out real-time ad optimization tools, Marina shares her perspective on the opportunities and pitfalls of letting AI take the reins in campaign creative. This conversation dives into the nuance of brand guardrails, ethical AI use, and why higher ed marketers must stay both curious and cautious.

Related Articles:
Meta claims new tech ‘redefining’ advertising as a...

High School to Higher Ed II - Part 2 - A Ninth Grader’s Reaction to Your Website

On today's Part 2 of High School to Higher Ed II: A Father/Daughter Perspective, Kevin and Emma dive into what makes a college website stand out—or fall flat—for prospective students. With Emma reviewing 10 university websites prompted by recent outreach efforts, the duo explores why first impressions, clean design, and simple navigation make all the difference in a Gen Z user's experience. For higher ed marketers, this is a must-listen crash course in what your future applicants actually notice (and wh...

In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, Mallory Willsea sits down with Kellie Campbell, the newly appointed CIO at the University of Vermont, to unpack the findings of Inside Higher Ed’s 2025 survey of CTOs and CIOs. The numbers confirm what many in Higher Ed already feel — AI is rapidly advancing on campus, but governance and policy are struggling to keep pace. Kellie brings her boots-on-the-ground expertise to the conversation, sharing how she’s building AI governance from scratch while the tech is already in full flight.

Related Articles: 
Inside Higher Ed/Hanover Research 2025 Survey of Campus...

Welcome to the return of our Pulse Check series High School to Higher Ed.

In this episode, we will be recapping some of our discussions from our episodes in the Fall, focusing especially on questions we’ve received from listeners regarding those episodes.

Hosts: 
Kevin Cavanagh
Emma Cavanagh

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Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the...

Mallory Willsea sits down with Jackie Davis, strategic program leader and former global employee experience head at Salesforce, to unpack the new wave of AI-driven workforce shifts. From hiring freezes to job displacement, the conversation explores how higher ed leaders can maintain trust and reframe their strategies in the age of automation. With over 300 proposals submitted for the 2025 AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Ed, the AI conversation is heating up fast—and this episode is your pulse check on what’s coming next.

Related Articles: 
Duolingo shifts to AI-first model, cutting contractor roles
Crowd...

This special bonus episode is your exclusive backstage pass to the upcoming Engage Summit — Element451’s flagship event happening June 24–25 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Host Erin Fields is joined by Element451 team members Erin Newton, Danielle Bradley, and Savanna Mcdede to break down why Engage is more than just another higher ed conference.

Register for Engage Summit 2025

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Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Pulse i...

On this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea sits down with John Carrere, Director of Recruitment and First-Year Experience at Pitt Community College, to unpack the sweeping AI Education for American Youth executive order. As the White House pivots to an "America First" AI policy, the directive mandates K–12 and colleges to integrate AI without offering new funding or infrastructure. Carrere brings a boots-on-the-ground perspective, exploring what this means for real institutions, students, and overworked staff. This episode offers a candid and insightful look into how community colleges are adapting quickly, creatively—and often under-resourced—to meet AI dem...

Ryan Morabito sits down with Tariq Hassan, former CMO and Chief Customer Experience Officer at McDonald's USA, to unpack the evolving marketing landscape. From the critical role of first-party data to building a fearless, innovation-driven culture, Tariq shares leadership insights that higher education marketers can directly apply. This episode is a masterclass in marketing transformation, organizational alignment, and using failure as a strategic advantage.

Guest Name: Tariq Hassan

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tariqhassan1/

Guest Bio: Tariq Hassan is a dynamic, data-driven consumer marketing leader with a unique blend of general...

In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea sits down with Jeremy Tiers, VP of Admission Services at Tudor Collegiate Strategies and host of Enrollify’s Mission Admissions podcast, and Harrison “Soup” Campbell, Head of Community Experience at ZeeMee, to discuss groundbreaking new survey data from over 8,700 high school seniors on how they perceive AI in the college search process. The big reveal? Gen Z is using AI tools like ChatGPT, but they still crave human interaction — especially for the high-stakes stuff like admissions decisions and financial aid. This episode unpacks what institutions need to rethink in their AI...

Welcome to Part 1 of this new Pulse Check series from Enrollify. In this episode, Host Ryan Morbido sits down with Seth Matlins, Managing Director of the Forbes CMO Network. With decades of experience on both the agency and client side, Seth unpacks what makes modern CMOs successful, how AI and ambiguity are shaping the future of marketing, and what higher ed leaders can learn from commercial brand strategies. This episode is a masterclass in marketing leadership, strategic storytelling, and bold decision-making.

Guest Name: Seth Matlins, CMO, Forbes

Guest Social: https://www.harrywalker.com/speakers/seth-matlins<...

Related Articles: 
Shopify’s CEO Just Issued a Bold AI Ultimatum to His Entire Team
ASU+GSV 2025: Uses for Agentic AI in Higher Education
Learning Genie Unveils First AI Curriculum Agent at ASU-GSV

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Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

E...

Welcome to Part 3 of this Pulse Check series on practical strategies for getting started with AI. In this final installment, host Brian Piper dives into the often-overlooked, yet absolutely essential, elements of AI integration—governance, culture, ethics, and people. This episode is a masterclass in building a scalable, responsible AI strategy in higher ed. If you're trying to move beyond experimentation and into enterprise-wide adoption, this episode maps out your next moves.

Check out Brian's Podcast, AI for U: https://www.enrollify.org/podcasts/ai-for-u

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Monday pulse show notes: On this thought-provoking episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea sits down with Myla Edmond—Senior Vice President at RW Jones Agency and Interim Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications at UNC Greensboro—to unpack the creative identity crisis brewing in higher ed marketing thanks to generative AI. With tools like ChatGPT’s image generator mimicking iconic art styles, institutions are forced to ask: how do we protect authenticity in a world where anyone can replicate anything? This episode explores the ethical, strategic, and deeply human implications of AI’s growing role in creativity—and how higher...

Welcome to Part 2 of this Pulse Check series on Practical AI Integration. Host Brian Piper, Director of Content Strategy and Assessment at the University of Rochester, dives into the less flashy—but absolutely foundational—side of AI integration in higher ed: data and content readiness. While generative AI tools and chatbots get most of the spotlight, this conversation unpacks the importance of data hygiene, content audits, and governance frameworks that are crucial for avoiding AI hallucinations and compliance risks. If you're serious about using AI to enhance your marketing, admissions, or internal operations, this is the episode that gives you...

In this episode of The Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory dives into a timely conversation with digital strategist and higher ed creative force Voltaire Santos Miran. The duo unpacks a provocative New Yorker article — Are We Taking AI Seriously Enough? — and explores how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way institutions create, communicate, and compete. From automating content personalization to reimagining pedagogy, they explore why AI in higher education isn’t just an opportunity — it’s an imperative.

 Related Article: New Yorker Article: Are We Taking A.I. Seriously Enough?

Guest Name: Voltaire Santos Miran, Executive VP/Creative...

Welcome to a new Pulse Check series from Enrollify. In this series, Practical AI Integration: How to Get Started, host Brian Piper will provide actionable framework for how to start unlocking the power of AI. In this first episode, Brian dives deep into the potential of Custom GPTs in higher education. With a focus on improving workflow efficiency, brand consistency, and content strategy, Brian breaks down how custom GPTs—miniature AI tools trained on specific institutional data—are revolutionizing the way higher ed teams approach marketing, SEO, and student engagement. This episode is a must-listen for enrollment marketers looking to e...

In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, Mallory Willsea welcomes Kelly Sinacola, VP of Solution Engineering and Integration at Element451 and one of ASU+GSV’s “Leading Women in AI,” to unpack higher ed’s ever-evolving relationship with artificial intelligence. From student support bots to responsible AI partnerships, this episode explores how institutions are moving from resistance to full-on adoption. The conversation dives into what true AI literacy looks like, why trust is key, and where the next wave of innovation may hit.

Related Articles: 
Champlain College partners with Anthropic to advance artificial intelligence in higher education...

Welcome to the 5th and final episode of this Pulse Check series. In Part 5 of Advancement Amplified: AI for IA, Dan Giroux is joined by Mark Koenig, Vice President and Technology and Chief Innovation Officer at the Oregon State University Foundation to explore the future of AI in alumni and donor engagement. Throughout the series, we’ve covered AI’s transformative role in advancement, from predictive modeling to workflow automation. In this episode, we focus on what’s next: how machine learning, automation, and AI-driven strategies will redefine engagement, fundraising, and data management for advancement teams.

Guest Name...

In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory sits down with Bryan Gross, VP for Enrollment Management and Athletics at Hartwick College, for a fast-paced and thought-provoking chat that connects the madness of NCAA brackets with the science of student wellness. From a million-dollar bet on AI-powered sports predictions to groundbreaking research on sleep as a mental health indicator, this episode is a masterclass in how higher ed leaders should be thinking about the intersection of AI, athletics, and student success.

Related Articles: 
4C AI vs Sean Perry for $1M
Duke Health - AI M...

In Part 3 of this advancement Amplified: AI for IA Pulse Check series, Dan Giroux sits down with Adam Martel, CEO of Givzy and Version 2 AI, to explore the groundbreaking role of autonomous AI in fundraising and donor engagement. Adam shares insights on how AI is not just enhancing efficiency but fundamentally reshaping how institutions connect with donors. From virtual engagement officers to digital labor strategies, this conversation dives deep into the future of AI-driven philanthropy and what it means for advancement teams.

Related Links: 
Givzey Newsletter signup: https://givzey.com/newsletter
Version2.ai website: https://w...

In this episode, Mallory and higher ed expert Gil Rogers dive into one of the biggest recent headlines in education technology—the merger of Gravity, Ivy.ai, and Ocelot. They break down why AI-powered chatbots are no longer standalone game-changers, what this consolidation means for institutions, and how next-gen CRMs are reshaping the student experience. If you want to stay ahead of the curve in AI for higher ed, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Related Articles: 
Sam Holding, Head of Demand Gen at BibliU post on LinkedIn about the merger
Gravy...

In this episode of Advancement Amplified: AI for IA, host Dan Giroux sits down with Andrew Gossen, Executive Director of Communications, Marketing, and Participation at Cornell University, to explore how AI is reshaping advancement teams. Andrew shares insights on AI’s impact on marketing, fundraising, and engagement, as well as how institutions can balance efficiency with the human connection that remains at the heart of advancement. From predictive analytics to AI-powered donor insights, this conversation highlights key strategies for leveraging AI in higher education advancement.

Guest Name: Andrew Gossen, Executive Director for Communications, Marketing, and Participation (Division of...