AI for U

This episode of AI for U captures a lively discussion from the AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education with Scott Cline, an independent consultant for higher education institutions. The conversation dives deep into how AI is transforming administrative and strategic workflows in higher education, empowering professionals to focus on meaningful human interactions.

Key Takeaways

• AI saves time on administrative tasks: By automating repetitive tasks, AI allows higher ed professionals to invest more time in building connections and fostering collaboration.
• AI isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t need to be: Leveraging AI for gap analysis and ideation improves workflows and surfaces insights that might otherwise be overlooked.
• Institutions must adopt a flexible approach: AI is an evolving tool, requiring ongoing adjustments and an openness to experimentation and learning.
• AI facilitates creative and strategic work: With AI managing groundwork, leadership teams can focus on impactful conversations, ideation, and innovation.

Scott Cline highlighted that much of a higher ed professional’s time—up to 70-80%—is spent on administrative tasks like emails, meetings, and resource coordination. By using AI to streamline these tasks, professionals can refocus on the human side of their roles, engaging with staff, faculty, and students. Cline emphasized that this shift is not about replacing jobs but enabling more meaningful connections.

AI’s ability to tackle repetitive and preparatory tasks creates opportunities for senior leadership to prioritize valuable in-person discussions, such as board meetings or team ideation sessions. While AI might not have the expertise of a seasoned professional, it can aid in generating ideas, identifying gaps, and providing fresh perspectives, helping leaders refine their strategies faster and more effectively.

Cline candidly addressed common concerns about AI’s imperfections, such as hallucinations or errors. He argued that AI doesn’t need to be flawless to be useful—humans make mistakes too. The key is to use AI as a supportive tool while maintaining a process of review and iteration. For institutions, this means adopting a mindset of continuous learning and adjustment to ensure they remain responsive to both technological advances and the needs of their teams.

The evolving nature of AI poses challenges for institutions, particularly in establishing policies and frameworks that account for ethical considerations and data integrity. Cline urged institutions to view AI as an evolutionary tool, not a revolutionary one, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Institutions should embrace AI iteratively, treating it as a tool that enhances rather than defines their operations.

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Connect With Our Host:
Brian Piper
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
AI for U is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Mastering the Next.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Join us as Allie Duffney shares how Elon University is implementing AI to streamline admissions processes, create test environments, and enhance student success. Learn practical approaches to AI adoption, from interview scheduling to data analysis, and discover how to address common concerns about AI integration.

Episode prompt:

You are a technical writer specializing in higher education operations and process documentation. Help me create clear, user-friendly documentation from the following information. The goal is to make our processes easier to understand and follow.

Context:

Department: [department name]

Process: [name of process, current process steps, you can record audio of yourself walking through the process and load the transcript of that into the tool]

Primary Users: [who will use this documentation]

Current Pain Points: [list main issues/challenges]

Please transform this information into:

1. Standard Operating Procedure

Create a step-by-step guide including:

- Prerequisites (tools, access, permissions needed)

- Process overview (high-level summary)

- Detailed steps with screenshots placeholders

- Common troubleshooting scenarios

- Related processes or dependencies

- Key contacts and escalation paths

2. Quick Reference Guide

Create a condensed version with:

- Essential steps only

- Key decision points

- Critical reminders

- Common pitfalls to avoid

3. Training Elements

Include:

- Practice scenarios

- Knowledge check questions

- Common mistakes to watch for

- Tips for experienced users

4. Process Improvement Suggestions

- Identify potential bottlenecks

- Suggest automation opportunities

- Recommend ways to streamline

- Note areas needing clarification

Format Guidelines:

- Use clear, action-oriented language

- Include specific examples

- Add notes for exceptional cases

- Mark required vs. optional steps

- Include version control information

After providing the initial documentation, please ask clarifying questions about any areas that need more detail or explanation.

Guest Name: Alexandria Duffney, Elon University

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandria-duffney-37aa3620/

Guest Bio: Allie is a seasoned Higher Education enrollment professional with 16 years of experience spanning institutions from intimate liberal arts colleges to major R-1 medical center universities, specializing in graduate, adult, and professional education. Currently serving as the Dean of Graduate Admissions at Elon University, Allie has led impactful projects, including a comprehensive Slate CRM implementation and a complete revitalization of an existing Slate system. She co-administers a National Slate User Group focused on Graduate Admissions and a regional NC Slate user group, has presented at national conferences such as GNAP, NAGAP, and the Slate Summit, and was honored as a 'Top 20 Under 40' by the NEPA Business Journal.

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Connect With Our Host:
Brian Piper
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
AI for U is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Mastering the Next.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this episode of AI For You, recorded live at the AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education, host Brian dives into a thought-provoking conversation with Brandon Etheredge, Director of Digital Content Strategy at Auburn University. Brandon shares how AI has transformed his approach to content creation and digital strategy, offering insights into leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline workflows, enhance creativity, and maximize impact—all while saving valuable time.

• Efficiency in Content Repurposing: Learn how AI can atomize and repurpose content for multiple platforms with minimal effort.
• Tools of the Trade: ChatGPT, even in its free version, is a powerful ally for content strategists and marketers.
• AI as a Supplement, Not a Replacement: AI accelerates tasks but requires human oversight to align with institutional culture and voice.
• Emerging AI Innovations: Tools like Adobe’s beta features for photo and video editing are game-changers in extending creative possibilities.
• Strategic Time Savings: AI allows small teams to work smarter, producing quality content while freeing up hours for high-value tasks.

How is AI Being Used in Higher Education Marketing at Auburn? 
Brandon Etheridge explains how AI has become integral to his daily workflow at Auburn University. By using ChatGPT, he repurposes content from interviews, articles, and videos into social posts, quotes, and other formats. The aim is to atomize content—breaking it into smaller pieces for distribution across platforms—without consuming hours of manual effort. For Brandon, this strategy aligns with a key takeaway from a previous AMA Symposium: maximizing every piece of content.

AI’s efficiency shines in automating tedious tasks like reviewing transcripts and identifying key insights. For example, Brandon uses AI to highlight quotes about student experiences or alumni success, ensuring he can focus on more strategic initiatives.

What Tools and Processes Enhance AI Integration? 
Brandon primarily relies on the free version of ChatGPT. He uploads transcripts, video scripts, or articles and prompts the tool to extract relevant insights or create tailored social posts. The tool acts as a "virtual team member," accelerating processes without the need for additional budget lines.

However, Brandon emphasizes the need for human oversight. AI-generated drafts often serve as a starting point, requiring refinement to meet Auburn’s brand standards. While AI can save hours of work, it lacks the nuanced understanding of Auburn’s campus culture, making human editors indispensable for storytelling and strategy.

How Does AI Address Resource Limitations? 
With a small and scrappy team, AI has been a game-changer for Brandon. Managing Auburn’s social media, photo and video production, and media relations, he uses AI to free up time for tasks that require his direct involvement—like event photography or media pitching. This balance allows his team to operate at a higher capacity without additional staff.

For instance, preparing social media for Auburn’s magazine release has been streamlined with AI. Instead of playing catch-up post-launch, Brandon has posts ready ahead of schedule—a stark contrast to previous years.

What’s on the Horizon for AI in Higher Education Marketing? 
Brandon is especially excited about emerging AI tools in photo and video editing, like Adobe’s beta features. These tools enable marketers to extend video clips, modify photos for multiple formats, and even generate missing frames—all of which enhance creative possibilities without additional resources. He anticipates these advancements will redefine how teams approach visual storytelling, further amplifying their impact.

Additionally, Brandon sees potential in AI-driven analytics. Automating data extraction and visualization allows marketers to focus on strategic decisions rather than manual number crunching—a crucial advantage for teams with limited bandwidth.

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Connect With Our Host:
Brian Piper
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
AI for U is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Mastering the Next.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this episode of AI for You, host Brian interviews Laura Rudolph, founder and CEO of Square One Consulting, live from the AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education. Laura discusses how she uses AI to empower small schools in marketing, communications, and enrollment, making their processes more efficient and sustainable. By harnessing the capabilities of AI tools like ChatGPT, Meta AI, and others, she trains small teams to streamline their workflows, develop data-driven strategies, and personalize communication.

Key Takeaways

• AI enables small schools to be more efficient by automating routine tasks, allowing teams to focus on strategic efforts.
• Tools like ChatGPT, Meta AI, and Canva are ideal entry points for smaller institutions to start leveraging AI in their marketing.
• AI can support personalized messaging, data analysis, and content ideation, acting as a versatile “brainstorming partner” for solo marketers.
• Implementing AI requires clear guidelines and a focus on quality prompts for meaningful outputs.
• Institutions should overcome fears of job displacement and learn to integrate AI as a supportive tool rather than a replacement.

Laura shares that her consulting work focuses on helping small schools create more self-sufficient and efficient marketing practices through AI. Since small institutions often have limited staff and resources, time efficiency is critical. Laura utilizes AI tools to help her clients offload routine, time-consuming tasks, enabling them to dedicate more energy to strategic initiatives. AI, she explains, isn’t just about content creation—it’s also useful for graphic design, coding, and even technical troubleshooting, making it a versatile tool for small teams. She emphasizes that AI can help schools complete complex tasks without sacrificing quality, transforming how they approach marketing with a sustainable strategy.

For smaller institutions venturing into AI, Laura recommends starting with ChatGPT, which she finds accessible and easy to learn. She uses ChatGPT for everything from content development to sentiment analysis and recommends investing in the pro version for optimal results. Additionally, she leverages Meta AI and Gemini, each with unique strengths that complement her work with various clients. She highlights that while paid tools like Canva for Schools and Beautiful.ai can enhance specific projects, she usually sticks with more affordable options to ensure institutions can maintain these tools after her consulting engagement ends. Laura’s focus on affordability and ease of use makes these tools ideal for small institutions just starting with AI.

AI can fill multiple roles at once—analyst, content creator, and brainstorming partner—especially in resource-constrained environments. Laura divides her AI applications into three core areas: data-informed strategy, content ideation, and personalization. Using AI, Laura helps institutions analyze patterns in student inquiries, perform sentiment analysis, and extract valuable insights that shape their communication strategies. When it comes to personalization, AI makes it simple to tailor messages for specific audiences, such as first-generation students or parents, while preserving brand voice and tone. Laura even sets up custom GPTs for each client, allowing her to maintain brand consistency while creating scalable, personalized messaging for diverse audiences.

Laura notes that fear of job displacement is a common concern among institutions new to AI. To address this, she emphasizes that AI is a tool designed to enhance human efforts, not replace them. Another challenge is the misconception that AI produces low-quality work due to inadequate prompts or lack of specificity. She advocates for setting clear, high-quality prompts and using custom GPTs to maintain continuity and consistency in AI outputs. Lastly, managing AI within a team requires institutions to set boundaries and guidelines around its use, which Laura assists with by training teams on AI principles and practical application. She encourages institutions to view AI as an essential, manageable part of their tech ecosystem.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Brian Piper
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
AI for U is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Mastering the Next.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Tina Miller shows us how Arizona State University is leading the charge on AI integration and adoption. ASU has created a model that we can all use to help guide us in our AI journey. The resources Tina talked about (in the links below) have a number of inspirational AI use cases and tools that can provide ideas on how we might adapt these for our institutions.

Links from the episode:
https://ai.asu.edu - the main AI website with resources

https://tech.asu.edu/features/AI-Journey-24 - a look at the ASU AI journey

https://openai.com/index/asu/ - OpenAI ASU case study

Episode prompt: 
You are an expert event planner.

I'm going to ask you to help create an event for [type of event - fundraiser, student fair, etc.] for the [institution URL] targeting [ideal audience] with the goal of [desired outcome of event]. There are [lenght of time in weeks, months, years, etc.] before the event.

Ask any necessary questions, one at a time, to gather any additional details needed. Suggest ideas to make the event engaging for attendees and successful for the organization. Make suggestions for volunteer roles. Create a draft of a letter for potential volunteers with details around expectations, duties, and timeline. Create a draft of a letter or announcement for the target audience inviting them to the event. Create an agenda for the event. Also create a post-event survey to sent to attendees.

Create details for the event. Take your time.

Guest Name: Tina Miller, Executive Director: Creative & Communications, Arizona State University

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinamiller3/

Guest Bio: Tina Miller, Executive Director of Creative and Communications at Arizona State University’s Enterprise Technology (IT division), brings nearly three decades of experience from Fortune 500 companies, government, and academia. She spearheads initiatives highlighting the division's dedication to innovation and digital excellence, reimagining how technology enhances the human experience. Tina and her team are pioneering the future of AI-driven communications, leveraging artificial intelligence to elevate storytelling, improve efficiency, and push the boundaries of what's possible in creative design and communications. Her previous senior leadership roles include Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. and Maricopa Community College District. Tina earned her MBA from the University of Phoenix and her journalism degree from the University of Missouri–Columbia.

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Connect With Our Host:
Brian Piper
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
AI for U is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Mastering the Next.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

John Munsell walks us through his structured prompting model which has been integrated at LSU and shares his thoughts on integrating AI into higher education, how to convince leadership of the importance of AI, and what to do with the compressed time that AI will create. 

Christopher Penn’s RACE model for prompting: https://www.trustinsights.ai/insights/instant-insights/instant-insights-trust-insights-race-ai-framework/

Episode prompt: 

Getting AI to write in your voice requires training the model on your content. For an institution, the more information you can provide, the better.

You are an expert content copywriter in higher education at [your institution name and url].

I'm going to ask you to create a first draft of [the type of document you want, blog, video script, social post, etc.].

Use the style guide recommendations from [link to your style guide if available], the brand guidelines from [link to your brand standards], and use the following content examples [either upload social posts, video scripts, links to blogs/news articles, etc. the more content you can provide as an example, the better output you will get]

Create a [type of content with length…for example, an 800 word blog or a 30 second TikTok script], please. Take your time.

Guest Name: John Munsell, CEO Bizzuka, Inc., Adjunct Instructor of AI Louisiana State University

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

Guest Bio: John Munsell is an established figure in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry with a career that spans over 40 years. As the co-founder and CEO of Bizzuka, he has led the company to multiple appearances on the Inc 5000 and LSU 100 lists. Recognizing the potential of AI early in its evolution, John pushed to integrate AI into all business processes at Bizzuka.
In 2022, John strategically shifted Bizzuka's entire business model to help businesses grow faster and retain more employees through the appropriate use of AI. He has dedicated thousands of hours to mastering AI technologies, leading to the creation of the AI Strategy Canvas™ and Scalable Prompt Engineering™. These frameworks have revolutionized the efficiency and effectiveness of AI in business and have been embraced by forward-thinking institutions, including Louisiana State University, which has made it a mandatory part of their AI-related degree programs.
John has been influential in academia and the push to give students immediate employable skills in their use of AI. He is the Adjunct Instructor of AI at Louisiana State University and has also collaborated with LSU to develop the AI SkillsBuilder™ series to upskill the workforces of businesses across the globe. 
Beyond his professional pursuits, John prioritizes his faith, family, and business, values that resonate in his work and mentorship. His dedication to both personal and professional growth makes him a respected and relatable leader in the marketing and AI sectors.

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Connect With Our Host:
Brian Piper
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
AI for U is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Mastering the Next.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Jules White discusses the real-world applications of AI for higher ed administrators, from custom GPTs to campus-wide AI platforms. This episode offers actionable advice on adopting AI, overcoming resistance, and using technology to improve effectiveness.

Christopher Penn’s RACE model for prompting: https://www.trustinsights.ai/insights/instant-insights/instant-insights-trust-insights-race-ai-framework/

Episode prompt: 

This prompt comes from a guest, Nicole Brini, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-brini-0675bb4/ who was inspired by a prompt from Liza Adams, https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizaadams/

You are an exceptional international higher education marketer. You are skilled at deeply understanding the market and deriving key insights to guide content creation and international student recruitment. You are hyper focused on ensuring that your website and promotional material are targeted to your "customers" and that you use their natural language in communicating with them. The attached excel includes inquiries from potential students interested in pursuing a programme at [your URL]. These students come from a variety of different countries both in the EU and outside of the EU [change this sentence to fit your own demographic]. Based on these inquiries only, please infer natural language top of funnel, mid funnel, and bottom of the funnel inquiries that prospects might ask. Please make sure that you use the actual words that the inquirers used. Do not paraphrase or make up words. Also include the rationale for your suggestions at each stage. Please put this info in a table. Please think about this step by step and take your time to reason. Take a deep breath. There is no need to rush. I have full confidence in your work. If I am happy with your work I'll give you a pay rise. Do you have any questions before we start?

Guest Name: Jules White, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor on Generative AI & Professor of Computer Science, Vanderbilt University

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jules-white-5717655/

Guest Bio: Dr. Jules White is Senior Advisor to the Chancellor, Director of Vanderbilt’s Initiative on the Future of Learning & Generative AI, and Professor of Computer Science in the Dept. of Computer Science at Vanderbilt University. He created one of the first online classes for Prompt Engineering (https://www.coursera.org/learn/prompt-engineering ), which is the study of how you converse with AI effectively, which has had over ~300,000 enroll. He is a National Science Foundation CAREER Award recipient. His research has won multiple Best Paper Awards. He has also published over 170 papers.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Brian Piper
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
AI for U is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Mastering the Next.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this episode of AI For U, live from HighEdWeb, Sarah Gilbert from GradLabs joins the show to discuss the impact of AI on higher education marketing. With her 18 years of experience in enrollment and marketing, Sarah dives deep into how AI is being used—and misused—in SEO and content generation. She also highlights the challenges institutions face when navigating AI-generated content and the ethical responsibilities universities hold in delivering accurate, trustworthy information.

Key Takeaways

• AI’s Role in SEO and Marketing: AI is being used to generate massive amounts of content in seconds, which can overwhelm search engines and lead to misinformation.
• Ethical Concerns with AI: Institutions face a responsibility to ensure that the content they publish remains fact-based and accurate, which is particularly challenging when competing with AI-generated material.
• Digital Literacy is Crucial: As AI-generated deep fakes and misinformation become more prevalent, universities must play a larger role in promoting digital literacy, both within their communities and beyond.

How is AI affecting SEO and marketing in higher education?
Sarah explains that AI is dramatically changing the landscape of search marketing, particularly in SEO. Some organizations are using AI to create thousands of pages of content in minutes, which can flood the internet with poorly written or inaccurate information. This creates challenges for colleges and universities, whose carefully crafted content must now compete with AI-generated material. These challenges are exacerbated by the sheer volume of content that Google indexes, making it harder for quality content to rise to the top.

What ethical concerns arise from the use of AI in content generation?
One of the most pressing concerns discussed in the episode is the ethical use of AI-generated content. While AI tools like ChatGPT can produce content quickly, they often present false information with confidence, leading to potential issues for institutions that rely on fact-based, educational content. Sarah emphasizes the responsibility universities have in maintaining the integrity of their information, especially given their .edu domain, which is trusted by search engines and users alike. Universities need to ensure their content is not just optimized for SEO but is also trustworthy and accurate.

How can universities stay ahead of the AI wave in marketing?
Sarah suggests that one way universities can rise above the sea of AI-generated content is through strong digital PR and promotion. By obtaining quality backlinks from reputable sources, institutions can help elevate their content in search rankings. This practice not only promotes accurate information but also helps universities stand out in an increasingly crowded digital landscape. Additionally, Sarah notes the importance of teaching digital literacy, particularly around AI and deep fakes, as institutions have a responsibility to educate their communities about the risks of misinformation.

What role should universities play in promoting digital literacy?
Sarah believes that universities have a critical role to play in promoting media and digital literacy, especially as AI-generated misinformation becomes more common. Institutions should think beyond their student bodies and consider educating the broader public on the ethical use of AI, how to detect misinformation, and how to navigate a digital landscape full of AI-generated content. This kind of education will be essential for combating the spread of misinformation, whether it's in SEO, deep fakes, or other AI-driven content.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Brian Piper
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
AI for U is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Mastering the Next.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this episode of AI for U, live from HighEdWeb, host Brian Piper sits down with Paul Roetzer, CEO of the Marketing AI Institute and keynote speaker at the event. They discuss the rapidly advancing role of AI in higher education, touching on how institutions can use AI beyond the classroom to revolutionize admissions, fundraising, and overall administration. Paul also shares insights into how universities can begin adopting AI and the importance of experimentation and pilot programs in the AI integration process.

Key Takeaways

• Higher education institutions must approach AI holistically, applying it not only in the classroom but also in areas like enrollment, fundraising, and institutional management.
• AI literacy and education within leadership teams are crucial for universities to understand and implement AI effectively.
• Starting with small, impactful pilot projects can demonstrate the value of AI without requiring significant resources upfront.
• The rapid pace of AI advancements, such as new capabilities in voice and AI agents, will continue to shape the future of work and higher education.

How is AI impacting higher education beyond the classroom?
Paul Roetzer emphasizes that while many universities are focused on the implications of AI in the classroom, there are broader opportunities to transform institutional operations through AI. This includes areas like admissions, where AI can enable personalized communication with prospective students, and fundraising, where it can help identify and engage alumni more effectively. Roetzer shared an example of a university president frustrated by the lack of data-driven insights after meeting hundreds of prospective students. AI can solve this by providing a more intelligent, personalized approach to interactions with students and alumni.

Why is AI literacy crucial for higher education leaders?
When it comes to adopting AI, Paul Roetzer advises universities to start with education and AI literacy for their leaders. He recalls a 2019 workshop at Ohio University, where the dean prioritized educating administrators and faculty about AI. This foundational knowledge empowered them to explore how AI could be applied to their specific areas. Roetzer recommends that institutions form AI councils at both the department and institutional levels to guide AI adoption, set principles, and assess the impact of AI on various functions. This step ensures that universities aren't just reacting to AI developments but are proactively shaping how AI will influence their future operations.

How can universities get started with AI adoption?
Roetzer suggests that universities should begin by identifying small, impactful pilot projects. These projects don’t require massive budgets but can demonstrate the immediate value of AI. He gives the example of a university that approved a $2,000 budget to test 10 different AI tools over two months. These quick wins help build momentum and encourage broader AI adoption. Roetzer emphasizes that these pilots should focus on practical use cases that can show measurable success in a short period. For example, tools like Notebook LM can be used by students, researchers, and administrators alike to quickly process and understand complex information, making it a versatile tool across the institution.

What does the future hold for AI in higher education?
While Roetzer doesn’t claim to know the future of higher education, he does believe that AI will continue to play a critical role in reshaping how institutions operate. With the pace of AI advancements accelerating, he points out that even in the week leading up to his keynote, major updates from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic were being released, showcasing just how fast AI is evolving. Universities must stay ahead of these changes by continually reassessing their AI strategies. Roetzer predicts that AI will lead to significant shifts in both the curriculum and the way institutions prepare students for the future workforce. However, he stresses that it’s up to higher education leaders to figure out how to best apply AI to their specific challenges.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Brian Piper
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
AI for U is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Mastering the Next.

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Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this live episode of AI for U, recorded at HighEdWeb, Erin Wilson from Arizona State University’s Learning Enterprise shares how AI is transforming their non-credit course offerings and instructional design processes. Erin discusses the use of custom GPTs for content creation, coding support, and even persona-building for testing content strategies. With a protected version of ChatGPT, Arizona State is leveraging AI to streamline workflows, enhance course content, and explore new possibilities in AI-generated video.

Key Takeaways

• Arizona State University uses custom GPTs for a wide range of tasks, from coding support to developing instructional content, making AI an essential part of their non-credit learning enterprise.
• AI-driven personas allow for more efficient content testing and review, replacing traditional focus groups while maintaining human oversight.
• The future of AI at ASU includes advancements in AI video content, with a focus on making avatars and interactive learning tools more engaging and less robotic.

How is Arizona State University using AI in its non-credit learning enterprise?
Erin Wilson from Arizona State University’s Learning Enterprise explains how her team focuses on non-credit learning opportunities designed to help individuals upskill. This includes everything from individuals taking courses to company partnerships for employee training. AI has become a critical tool in this space, particularly in creating and refining educational content. Wilson highlights their partnership with OpenAI, which provides them with an EDU version of ChatGPT. This version offers enhanced security, allowing the team to safely use AI without concerns over data privacy. They rely on custom GPTs to handle a variety of tasks, such as helping with coding for instructional design or converting long faculty videos into more digestible content.

What are custom GPTs and how are they used at ASU?
Arizona State’s team has created numerous custom GPTs to support specific tasks within their learning enterprise. These custom AI models are highly specialized and are designed to do one thing exceptionally well, such as developing instructional stories, creating course introductions, or assisting with coding. Wilson explains that this customization makes their workflow more efficient, particularly when creating content for non-credit courses. One unique use of these GPTs is persona-building. By feeding in data such as speeches from an executive vice president, ASU created a "Maria Bot," allowing faculty and staff to ask questions and receive responses similar to what their EVP might say. This tool saves time while providing reliable guidance.

How does AI help with content testing and refinement at ASU?
Another innovative way ASU uses AI is to test content with virtual focus groups. Instead of traditional focus groups, which are expensive and time-consuming, AI can simulate different perspectives. For example, they use AI personas to simulate feedback from an expert, a novice, and someone with no background on a given subject. This approach helps ASU fine-tune their content more quickly and efficiently, ensuring that their material resonates with a broad range of learners. Wilson emphasizes that AI isn't replacing human input entirely. Instead, it assists by providing first drafts and initial feedback, which her team then edits to ensure the final output meets their high standards.

What’s next for AI at Arizona State University?
Looking ahead, Wilson sees AI playing an even more significant role in content creation and interactivity at ASU. The team is particularly excited about advancements in AI video, with avatars becoming more realistic and less robotic. They’re also eager to continue building custom tools that can take on increasingly complex tasks, allowing their team to focus more on the human elements of learning and engagement. While AI cannot replace human judgment or creativity, it serves as an invaluable assistant in improving efficiency, allowing educators to spend more time on strategic and high-impact work.

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About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
AI for U is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Mastering the Next.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register