AI is here to stay, and now is the time to jump in. That’s the message of Allison Turcio, Assistant VP for Enrollment and Marketing at Siena College and Host of The Application podcast. 

In this episode, Brian and Allison explore how AI adoption is transforming the way higher ed professionals approach communication, marketing, and student engagement, all while keeping humanity at the core.

From segmenting emails to pulling personalized essay quotes, Allison’s strategies show how AI can empower, not replace. She just might convince you that AI literacy is becoming a must-have skill — and why now is the time to get started.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [3:01] How to scale outreach without sacrificing authenticity
• [13:28] Why AI adoption feels so daunting
• [19:27] Steps you can take to get started with AI adoption

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Allison’s four-part series on what AI can do for you during yield season
• The Application podcast
• Halda
• AllisonTurcio.com

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for AI for U with Brian Piper in your favorite podcast player.

Episode prompt: 
You are an expert conference attendee, presenter, and networker.

I'll be asking you to help select sessions at an event and provide recommendations on who I should connect with.

My role and interests are [provide your job description, title, interests, etc.]

I'm attending [event name and, ideally, URL] and need help selecting the most valuable sessions and identifying key speakers to connect with. 

[If the following information isn't online, provide it here, otherwise, point to the URL]

Here's information about the conference: - Conference theme: [theme] - Conference audience: [general description of the potential attendees] - My current priorities: [list 2-3 key priorities for yourself or your business] - My personal learning goals for this conference: [list 2-3 goals] 

[If the schedule isn't online, provide it here, otherwise, point to the URL]

Below is the conference agenda with sessions and speakers: [paste conference agenda/schedule with session titles, descriptions, and speaker information] 

Create recommendations on a schedule of sessions for me at the event. 

Identify 3-5 key speakers I should try to connect with based on my priorities and my professional interests. 

For each recommended speaker, suggest 2-3 thoughtful conversation starter questions that go beyond basic introductions and demonstrate familiarity with their work. 

Suggest any potential scheduling conflicts I should be aware of and alternative sessions if I can't attend all your recommendations. 

Recommend specific networking opportunities (receptions, breaks, etc.) that would be particularly valuable for connecting with the speakers you've identified.

Guest Name: Allison Turcio, Ed.D., Assistant VP for Enrollment and Marketing, Siena College

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

Guest Bio: Allison Turcio, Ed.D., is  marketing professor, consultant, host of The Application Podcast, and publisher of the Higher Education Marketer's Digest. 

Allison frequently presents at industry conferences and serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing. She has led her team to win several accolades, including AMA's 2023 Emerging Marketer in Higher Education Award. Allison has been selected for Albany Business Review’s 40 Under 40 and Siena’s Excellence in Administration award. She holds a doctorate degree in higher education leadership from Northeastern University, a master’s in communications and bachelor’s in English.

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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! 

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