The Application with Allison Turcio

Allison takes listeners behind the scenes at the Engage Summit 2025 and breaks down a powerful insight from Mallory Willsea’s session. From the rise of ChatGPT-powered college research to the blunt, late-night questions students won’t ask on tours, this episode unpacks how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are redefining how they engage with higher ed—and what enrollment marketers must do now to meet them where they are.

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

Abou...

Your website isn’t just a digital brochure. It’s your most powerful marketing asset. In this episode, Brittney Miller (Director of Communications and Marketing) and Britt Heppler (Digital Media Specialist) from Angelo State University join Allison to share how they turned underperforming academic program pages into high-converting recruitment tools. They break down the strategy, collaboration, and SEO tactics that led to a 370% increase in RFI submissions. We also explore how they used data, internal buy-in, and smart design to create a better experience for both students and parents. 

Join us as we discuss:

Allison dives into a powerful session recap from the Engage Summit, spotlighting a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Matthew Winn and JC Bonilla. The episode, titled “Do We Have an AI Problem or a Culture Problem in Enrollment?”, unpacks the real obstacles preventing effective AI integration on campuses—and it’s not what most assume. Instead of a tech challenge, Winn and Bonilla argue, higher ed institutions are facing a culture challenge that requires a deep mindset shift. If you're exploring how to use AI in higher education to drive better outcomes, this is a must-listen.

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Coming to you live from Engage Summit 2025, Allison distills the must-know takeaways from Kosmas Karadimitriou’s opening keynote on the evolving role of AI in higher education. From redefining AI as a teammate to using it to enhance yield, student support, and team collaboration, this episode is packed with actionable insights for enrollment leaders and marketers looking to stay ahead of the AI curve.

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Ne...

Parents aren’t just supporting players in the college search — they're often leading the charge, especially when it comes to finances. In this episode, Will Geiger, Co-founder and CEO of Scholarships360, joins Allison to talk about why parent engagement is no longer optional and how institutions can better meet parents where they are. From practical communication strategies to demystifying financial aid, Will shares real-world insights on what parents actually care about, what they’ll act on, and how colleges can build trust early.

Join us as we discuss: 

Melt season is fueled by mission, but often fueled by too much hustle. In this final installment of The Melt Season Playbook, Allison tackles a common challenge: how to support every student without running your team into the ground. The answer? Using AI to scale what’s already working.

From turning counselor notes into personalized follow-ups, to helping your team embrace low-lift AI strategies, this episode is a toolkit for doing more good without burning out.

Key “How Tos” You’ll Hear in This Episode:

What happens when a university blog stops talking about itself and starts answering the real questions students are asking? In this episode, Allison sits down with Mary Flagg Lewis and Samantha McGill from the University of Pittsburgh to explore how Pitt’s blog evolved from a simple FAQ hub into a powerful, student-centered content strategy. You’ll hear how they use data, AI, and student personas to craft effective posts and why their most popular blog entry wasn’t what they expected.

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In this episode of The Melt Season Playbook series, Allison explores how AI can help enrollment marketers communicate with more empathy, creativity, and strategic intent during melt season. From writing warmer nudges to supporting nervous parents, this episode is packed with practical ways to improve your student and family outreach—without losing your human touch.

Whether you're staring at a blank screen or editing your fifth orientation reminder, these prompts and strategies will help you engage smarter.

Key “How Tos” You’ll Hear in This Episode:

How do you triple your lead generation while cutting costs in half? In this episode, Jeff Holeman from the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business reveals how his team transformed their paid lead generation strategy — leading to a 300% increase in leads and a 50% drop in costs. Jeff also shares insights on balancing automation with human oversight and building an effective lead engagement scoring model to help admissions teams focus on the best candidates.

Discover how leveraging first-party data, AI-driven ad platforms, and behavior-based targeting helped them move beyond outdated demographic models to find the right pros...

Welcome to the first installment of The Melt Season Playbook — a 3-part, quick-hit series designed for enrollment marketers navigating the tricky post-deposit stretch. Each episode is under 10 minutes and packed with actionable insights you can try today.

In this kickoff episode, Allison breaks down how to use AI to find the students most at risk of melting—and how to spot the signals hiding in plain sight. From tapping into behavioral patterns in your CRM to listening in on what parents are posting online, this episode is your cheat code to early intervention.

This isn’t abou...

Traditional lead generation in higher education isn't working. Universities pour time and money into RFI (Request for Information) forms, yet most enrolled students never even fill one out. So why are we still treating prospective students like sales leads instead of informed decision-makers?

In this episode, Allison is joined by Robert Kadar, a higher ed marketing expert with over 15 years of experience in enrollment and media strategy. Together, they break down why lead generation tactics fall short, what students actually do when researching colleges, and how universities can shift their marketing focus for better results.

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It’s no secret that parents play a significant role in which schools prospective students end up choosing — but just how much of a factor are they really?. Our guest, Dave Becker, CEO and co-founder of CampusESP, breaks down how parent engagement directly influences application rates and yield. We’ll also explore eye-opening research on this connection, plus how AI and other tech tools are transforming the way schools communicate with families.

Join us as we discuss:

Silos between enrollment, admissions, and marketing often prevent innovative strategies from taking shape. How can higher ed keep up with change when their institutional structures are so fragmented? 

In this episode, Allison speaks with Katy Campbell, Chief Client Officer, and Sarah Mullins, Marketing Strategist, at VisionPoint Marketing about the biggest roadblocks facing enrollment marketers today. They discuss the real reason innovation stalls (hint: it’s not just budget constraints), how institutions can foster collaboration across departments, and why AI should be seen as an opportunity rather than a threat.

Tune in for insights that will hel...

How can higher education enrollment marketers collect student data in a way that builds trust and drives engagement? Progressive profiling — the practice of gathering information over time rather than all at once — might be the answer.

In this episode, James Cox, Salesforce Administrator, and Kelsey Smith, Marketing Cloud Administrator, at Purdue University’s Mitch Daniels School of Business, share how their team has transformed the way they collect and use student data. They discuss the importance of clean data, dynamic personalization in marketing automation, and how institutions can move beyond clunky RFI forms.

If you want t...

In this episode, Allison sits down with Dr. Joe Sallustio, Vice President of Industry Engagement at Ellucian, host of The EdUp Experience Podcast, and co-author of Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education. Joe shares his insights from interviewing hundreds of higher ed leaders and discusses how enrollment marketers can drive institutional success by embracing differentiation, leveraging creativity, and using AI to strengthen human connections. Together, they explore the challenges and opportunities in the ever-changing higher ed landscape.

Key “How Tos” You’ll Hear in This Episode:

In this episode, Allison dives into the launch of Purdue Brand Studio, a bold and innovative initiative at Purdue University that’s redefining higher education marketing. Guests Bailey Leffler, Director of Brand, and Katie Ellis, Senior Director of Marketing Strategy, share the strategies, successes, and lessons learned behind their groundbreaking campaigns and their approach to storytelling that sets Purdue apart in the crowded higher ed landscape.

From leveraging bold campaigns like the In Our STEM Era activation to engaging Gen Alpha through peer-to-peer ambassador programs, this conversation explores how Purdue is rewriting the playbook for enrollment marketing an...

Welcome to AI for Yield Season, a special mini-series of The Application! Each episode is short (less than 10 minutes!) and packed with actionable insights to help enrollment professionals use AI effectively during one of the busiest times of the year.

This episode dives into the key metrics to track in yield marketing, how AI can help analyze success, set up A/B and multivariate tests, and, most importantly, how to adjust strategies based on data-driven insights.

 Key “How Tos” You’ll Learn:

In this episode, Allison sits down with Melody Ferguson, Dean of Admission at Pacific Lutheran University, who brings a dual perspective to the table: as an experienced enrollment leader and as a mom navigating the college search process with a high school senior and a sophomore. Melody shares eye-opening insights from her unique vantage point, revealing how being both a professional and a parent has reshaped her views on communication strategies, family engagement, and what it really takes to connect with today’s prospective students.

From the challenges of getting noticed among thousands of college emails to le...

Welcome to AI for Yield Season, a special mini-series of The Application! Each episode is short (less than 10 minutes!) and packed with actionable insights to help enrollment professionals use AI effectively during one of the busiest times of the year.

In part three of the AI for Yield Season mini-series, Allison Turcio dives into a challenge every enrollment marketer faces—creating high-quality content quickly and efficiently. With growing demands for emails, social posts, landing pages, and event invitations, AI can be a powerful tool to enhance content creation without sacrificing quality.

This jam-packed episode walks th...

Allison and Carrie Chambers, a data-driven marketing strategist with over 15 years of experience in higher education, explore how to use historical data and strategic foresight to define actionable and achievable goals for enrollment marketing. Carrie shares practical examples, explains the dangers of relying too heavily on averages and percentages, and provides actionable tips for fostering collaboration across campus offices to access and utilize data effectively.

Key “How Tos” You’ll Hear in This Episode

Welcome to AI for Yield Season, a special mini-series of The Application! Each episode is short (less than 10 minutes!) and packed with actionable insights to help enrollment professionals use AI effectively during one of the busiest times of the year.

In this episode of AI for Yield Season, Allison explores how AI can help higher ed marketers personalize student outreach—at scale. Yield season is crunch time, and students want to feel valued. But when managing communication with hundreds or thousands of admitted students, true personalization can feel impossible. That’s where AI comes in.

Alli...

Allison is joined by Suzan Brinker, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Viv Higher Education and author of Pass Fail: The Urgent Need for Strategic Leadership in Higher Education. Suzan shares practical strategies and frameworks to help higher ed institutions create authentic differentiation in an increasingly competitive enrollment landscape. This conversation tackles why differentiation is no longer optional, how to get started with a strategy, and what metrics can prove it’s working.

Key “How Tos” You’ll Hear in This Episode:

Welcome to AI for Yield Season, a special mini-series of The Application! Each episode is short (less than 10 minutes!) and packed with actionable insights to help enrollment professionals use AI effectively during one of the busiest times of the year.

In this first episode, Allison breaks down what AI can and can’t do for you. She shares real-world scenarios where AI can help speed up your outreach, personalize student interactions, and save time—without losing the human touch.

Key "How-Tos" You'll Learn in This Quick Episode:

✅ Use AI to Draft (But Not Replac...

In this episode, host Allison Turcio dives into the importance of collaboration in enrollment marketing with guest Greg Summers, a former provost turned higher ed strategist at BVK. Greg shares insights from his decades of experience on how enrollment marketers can engage faculty, staff, and leadership to ensure student recruitment efforts are cohesive, effective, and reflective of the institution's true identity.

From fostering cross-campus partnerships to addressing the complexities of academic culture, this episode is packed with actionable advice for enrollment marketers navigating one of higher ed’s biggest challenges.

Key “How Tos” You’ll Learn:<...

In this episode of The Application, host Allison Turcio sits down with W. Kent Barnds, a veteran enrollment leader with over 30 years of experience, to tackle one of the hottest topics in enrollment marketing today: the shifting dynamics of campus visits. With students increasingly waiting to visit until after they’ve applied, how should colleges rethink their visit strategies? Kent unpacks the trends reshaping campus visit behavior, including the impact of social media and the rise of digital-first interactions. Enrollment marketers and admissions teams will walk away with actionable strategies for creating visits that drive yield and adapting their ap...

In this episode, Allison sits down with Jason Keath, co-founder of SocialFresh and a strategist at Convince and Convert, to unpack how prospective students are researching colleges in 2024-2025. Drawing from recent research involving over 1,400 Gen Z students, Jason reveals what’s driving college decisions, where students are finding trusted information, and how enrollment marketers can adapt their strategies to meet students where they are. From website optimization to social media and email, this episode is packed with actionable insights to refine your enrollment marketing game.

Key "How-Tos" You'll Hear in This Episode:

In this episode, Allison talks with Lauren Brooks, a higher ed marketing strategist known for her innovative approaches to CRM implementation, digital campaigns, and team alignment. With over a decade of experience in helping institutions achieve enrollment goals, Lauren brings insights into balancing immediate enrollment targets with long-term strategic goals without compromising mental health. The conversation covers practical ways to align teams, maintain brand clarity, and prioritize mental health, drawing from Lauren’s own experience and her passion for advocacy.

Key "How-Tos" You'll Hear in This Episode:

In this forward-thinking episode, Allison speaks with Tom Mikowski, VP of Business Development and Higher Education Partnerships at Allied Pixel. Tom shares insights from his 30-year career in enrollment and discusses how data-driven personalized video can dramatically elevate student engagement and drive conversions. He emphasizes the role of personalization in capturing the attention of today’s “YouTube and TikTok” generation and discusses the power of tailored video in meeting the digital expectations shaped by platforms like Amazon. From initial inquiry through financial aid, Tom highlights how video can transform each stage of the enrollment funnel by fostering connection and convey...

In this episode, Allison speaks with Dr. Raquel Bermejo about the often-overlooked emotional challenges students face during the college search and application process. Raquel shares insights into how financial anxiety, fear of choosing the wrong college, and the weight of being a first-generation student can impact students’ ability to apply and enroll. Together, they discuss actionable strategies for enrollment marketers to create empathetic and supportive communications that address these emotional barriers and foster a culture of care.

Key “How-Tos” You’ll Hear in This Episode:

In this episode, Allison talks to Brianna Blackburn, Assistant Director of Social Media Strategy at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), about how social media can be a powerful driver of enrollment. Brianna shares her strategies for turning TikTok trends and Instagram posts into measurable enrollment outcomes and how her team has built a thriving online community of over 350,000 followers across various platforms. As a Gen Z-er, Brianna offers a fresh perspective on how to balance creativity with intention to engage prospective students, current students, parents, and alumni in a way that feels authentic and fun.

Key “How-Tos” You’...

Allison chats with Grant De Roo, founder and principal of ADV Market Research and Consulting. Grant shares his wealth of experience in conducting market research for colleges and universities, offering insights into how storytelling can become a potent tool for enrollment marketers. Together, they explore the critical role of brand clarity, the impact of storytelling on university messaging, and why focusing on the "plot" rather than the "character" makes a lasting impression on prospective students.

Key “How-Tos” You’ll Hear in This Episode:

Julie Johnson Novara, a seasoned copywriter, shares her insights on how to craft compelling copy that resonates with different audiences, especially in the higher education sector. The conversation dives into the nuances of effective copywriting, common pitfalls, and practical strategies that enrollment marketers can use to improve their messaging and connect better with prospective students.

Key "How Tos" from this Episode:

In this episode, Allison sits down with Kristin Nichols, a seasoned higher ed marketing professional, to discuss the importance of aligning enrollment marketing with institutional strategy and brand messaging. The conversation touches on various aspects of strategic alignment, from web content audits to the importance of personalization and AI in marketing. Kristin shares her experiences and strategies from her extensive career, offering actionable insights for enrollment marketers looking to strengthen their institution's brand presence.

Key “How Tos” you’ll hear in this episode:

In this special crossover episode, Allison Turcio, host of the Application with Allison Turcio, and Shane Baglini, host of Breaking Silos, are taking a deep dive into their popular session from Element451’s 2024 Engage Summer titled “There’s a GPT for That.” Shane and Allison take turns as interviewer and interviewee, and talk about the many ways marketers can us AI to expand capacity, increase efficiency and revolutionize the way they market programs, create content, analyze data and much more. 

Catch new episodes of The Application every other Tuesday, and new episodes of Breaking Silos every other Wednesday...

In this enlightening episode, Allison interviews Mickey Baines, a seasoned enrollment consultant with over 25 years of experience. Mickey shares his unique insights derived from his extensive study of Amazon's customer experience strategies and his hands-on experience in higher education. The discussion explores strategies to engage prospective students, the importance of new data collection points, managing the "messy middle" of the enrollment funnel, and how lessons from Amazon can enhance the student enrollment process.

Key “How Tos” you’ll hear in this episode: 

In this episode, Allison welcomes back Louis Miller, partner at Electric Kite, for an in-depth discussion on the importance of owning your audience in higher education marketing. They explore how direct control over your communication channels can transform marketing strategies, reduce costs, and foster stronger relationships with prospective students. Through examples from Red Bull to HubSpot, they illustrate the impact of a media-minded approach and offer practical tips for higher ed institutions.

Key “How Tos” you’ll hear in this episode: 

In this episode of The Application, Allison sits down with Lance Hydrick, an expert in higher ed technology, to discuss the critical role of the Request for Information (RFI) experience on university websites. Lance shares his insights on the shortcomings of traditional RFI forms and introduces innovative AI-driven solutions that transform the web experience for prospective students. They explore how personalized, dynamic content can engage students more effectively, providing them with the specific information they need instantly and creating a more seamless path from inquiry to enrollment.

Key “How Tos”

In this special bonus episode of The Application, recorded live at eduWeb Summit 2024 in Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Alison Turcio brings listeners a unique man-on-the-street experience. Hear from higher ed marketing professionals as they share their insights on the sessions, innovations, and strategies that have caught their attention at this year's summit.

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio is a part of the Enrollify...

In this episode, Allison chats with Erica Colaianne, the Director of Social Media at the University of Michigan, about crafting powerful social media strategies that resonate across multiple platforms. Erica shares her journey from journalism to leading a social media team that engages over 2.4 million followers. She provides insights into data-driven strategy development, platform-specific content creation, and the importance of flexibility and listening in social media management.

Key “How Tos”

If you loved this epis...

Live from Engage Summit 2024, Allison sits down with Louis Miller, partner at Electric Kite, to discuss innovative strategies for higher ed marketing. They explore the benefits of owning your audience, the emotional factors in student decision-making, and the new features from Element451 that enhance student engagement. Their conversation underscores the importance of authentic, personalized communication in today’s competitive higher education landscape.