Higher ed is exhausted—literally. A new report from The Chronicle of Higher Education confirms what many faculty and staff already feel: heavier workloads, fewer resources, and increasing pressure are pushing employees to the brink. But is there a way out? In this episode, Mallory and Seth explore how AI can be a powerful tool in reducing burnout, streamlining workloads, and helping institutions retain their best talent. Plus, they share real-world AI solutions, from automating admin tasks to freeing up time for strategic, high-impact work.

Chronicle Articles:
Higher Ed Is Exhausted
What It’s Like to Work in Higher Ed

Key Takeaways: 

• Burnout is at crisis levels. The Chronicle report shows that 65% of faculty and staff are working more than they were five years ago, often due to layoffs and staffing shortages.
• It’s not just about workload—it’s about control. Many higher ed professionals feel overworked, undervalued, and left out of key decision-making processes, leading to higher turnover.
• AI isn’t a magic fix, but it helps. Implementing AI tools can automate repetitive tasks, improve efficiency, and allow employees to focus on more meaningful work.
• Small AI wins add up. Simple tools like voice-to-text software, AI-powered research assistants, and automated meeting recaps can significantly reduce stress and save time.
• Leadership must embrace AI for change to happen. Many higher ed leaders aren’t using AI themselves, which makes it harder for institutions to adopt these tools at scale.
• The future of higher ed depends on retaining great talent. If burnout continues unchecked, institutions risk losing experienced professionals, which could impact student outcomes and institutional success.

Calls to Action

• Register for the AI Engage Summit to learn practical ways AI can transform your institution. Enrollify.org/engage
• Experiment with AI tools. Try NotebookLM, ChatGPT, Whisper, or Loom to streamline your daily tasks.
• Advocate for AI at your institution. Share AI success stories with leadership and push for tools that can lighten workloads.
• Read the full Chronicle report on burnout in higher ed (linked in the show notes).
• Subscribe to Enrollify for more episodes on the future of higher ed marketing and enrollment.

- - - -

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!

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