Higher Ed Pulse

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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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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 enrollment and student engagement. Driven by a passion for enhancing the student experience and optimizing recruitment strategies, Jennifer co-founded AmbioEdu. This venture reflects her commitment to transforming higher education marketing through advanced technologies, including Performance TV and integrated digital solutions. AmbioEdu, under her leadership, harnesses cutting-edge tools to help universities connect with prospective students more effectively and efficiently, setting new standards in the field.

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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!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Carson, President, Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI)

Guest Bio: Brad Carson is President of Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI), a nonprofit supporting AI policies that protect the public while maintaining our country’s lead in innovation. Carson has also served as president of the University of Tulsa since 2021. Carson was previously elected as congressman for Oklahoma's 2nd District and served from 2001 to 2005. After his time in Congress, Carson was appointed as Under Secretary of the Army and later as Acting Under Secretary of Defense.

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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!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 technical know-how and cultural nuance.

Guest Name: Raymond Martinez, SEO VP, Archer Education

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-cristina-alcalde-ph-d-24b71b8b/

Guest Bio: Raymond Martinez is the VP of SEO at Archer Education where he leads a team of analysts, specialists, and project managers to deliver SEO strategies for top higher education institutions. With over 14 years of experience, Ray has successfully managed campaigns for clients like California Western School of Law, LSU Online, Tulane University, and the University of San Diego. Raised in Queens, NY, by a family that instilled the value of hard work, Ray earned a B.A. in Advertising and Public Relations from The City College of New York and an M.S. in Media Management from The New School.

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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!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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
Google Marketing Live 2025: Everything you need to know

Guest Name: Sarah Russell, Vice President, Marketing, Education Dynamic

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

Guest Bio: In her role as Vice President of Marketing, Sarah drives and oversees strategy and execution excellence across all marketing channels. She works as part of our team of marketing experts to solve performance challenges, optimize to downstream results, and adapt to the ever-changing digital marketing environment. With 16 years of higher education marketing experience, Sarah understands what it takes to find success for our higher education marketing partners. Sarah is obsessed with data and loves leveraging it thoughtfully to help our partners exceed enrollment goals. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Missouri State University in Communication. When she’s not working on improving marketing results for our partners, Sarah enjoys playing dinosaur games with her two young boys, reading trashy mystery novels, and finding new prestige TV shows to become obsessed with.

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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!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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, Miami University 

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-cristina-alcalde-ph-d-24b71b8b/

Guest Bio: Dr. Alcalde is a gender and women's studies scholar and anthropologist whose research focuses on racialization, gender, migration, gender violence, and exclusion. As Vice President for Transformational and Inclusive Excellence at Miami University, she leads inclusion efforts, working closely with students, faculty, and staff.

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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!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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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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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 key role in shaping Duke’s reputation and strategic goals.

As a strategic adviser to President Vincent Price, Frank oversees Duke's communications, marketing, media relations, and brand efforts, guiding professionals across the university to ensure a unified approach. Previously, Frank served as Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at Howard University, where he led innovative initiatives like the award-winning redesign of the university magazine and the creation of The Dig, a daily storytelling platform.

His work has earned national recognition, including the historic feature of Howard’s swim and dive team on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Frank has also worked with notable figures such as Pete Souza, Phylicia Rashad, Nikole Hannah-Jones, and Ta-Nehisi Coates.

In addition to his role at Duke, Frank is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, teaching brand strategy. He holds a master's degree in integrated marketing communications from Georgetown and a bachelor's in advertising management from Michigan State University.

- - - -

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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsmith1/

Guest Bio: As Managing Director of OHO, Jason leads a talented team of designers, developers, and strategists to create award-winning digital marketing and strategy work. He's launched numerous websites for clients and offers a deeply insightful perspective into each business and industry with which he consults. Jason's depth of experience in marketing, user research, graphic design, and television advertising make him uniquely qualified to create successful marketing strategies that marry messaging with design, information architecture, and technology.

- - - -

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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.

- - - -

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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.