Higher Ed Pulse

In this April Fools' Day special of Higher Ed Pulse, Mallory and Seth explore the transformative potential of AI, the challenges of integrating it into educational settings, and the ethical considerations that come with its use. From AI-driven chatbots enhancing student engagement to the pitfalls of technology missteps, this episode unpacks the balance between leveraging AI's benefits and maintaining the irreplaceable human element in education. But there's the twist—and you’ll have to listen to the end of the episode to find out. 

• The Potential of AI in Higher Ed: AI can personalize learning experiences, making education more accessible and engaging.
• Challenges and Ethical Concerns: Implementing AI comes with hurdles, including budget constraints, the need for technical infrastructure, and ethical dilemmas like data privacy and bias.
• The Human Element: Despite AI's advancements, maintaining a human touch in education is crucial for mentoring, teaching, and inspiring students.

Related Links:

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/02/vanderbilt-chatgpt-ai-generated-email-michigan-state-shooting/ 
https://eab.com/resources/blog/data-analytics-blog/missteps-university-leaders-ai-approach/

https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/blogs/online-trending-now/2024/01/05/how-will-ai-disrupt-higher-education-2024

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisagarcia/2024/02/19/what-air-canada-lost-in-remarkable-lying-ai-chatbot-case/?sh=c438d20696f2

https://campustechnology.com/Articles/2024/02/22/Survey-Suggests-Higher-Ed-Institutions-Are-Not-Ready-for-Generative-AI.aspx

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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 the second part of our Pulse Check series on Mergers and Acquisitions in Higher Education, guest host Kin Sejpal speaks with Seth Odell, CEO and founder of Kanahoma, to discuss the realm of marketing within higher education M&A, drawing from his firsthand experiences and expertise in leading such endeavors, as well as serving as an advisor for many others.

Listeners can:

1. Learn how to navigate the uncharted territory of M&A as higher ed marketers
2. Establish their voice and know what marketers should bring to an M&A process - both on the acquiring and acquired sides.
3. Understand the importance of marketing audit (i.e., diligence) and what it entails.
4. Leverage marketing data and their own expertise to develop a sound transition strategy

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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.

We're joined by Kevin Renton of Electric Kite and Volt, live from the 2024 CUPRAP conference. Mallory and Kevin talk about running content networks in higher education, with a focus on bringing marketing and enrollment professionals actionable insights and forward-thinking strategies. 

Key Takeaways:

• Volt's Origin and Vision: Kevin discusses Volt's transition from an agency blog to a leading marketing magazine and its future content direction.
• Live Conference Coverage and Community Engagement: A discussion on breaking down barriers and offering insights into conferences to those unable to attend.
• Artificial Intelligence in Higher Ed Marketing): The importance of AI safety and policies on campuses to ensure responsible use.
• Enrollify's Growth and Content Expansion: Mallory outlines Enrollify's expansion and new initiatives, including webinars and blogging.

Guest Name: Kevin Renton, Principal, Electric Kite

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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 special episode of the Higher Ed Pulse, Mallory Willsea invites Aaron Blau, VP of Education at Primacy, to talk about all things March Madness. The excitement of March Madness extends beyond just the games, potentially impacting enrollment, marketing, and branding efforts in significant ways. From the visibility boost for lesser-known institutions to the strategies for leveraging athletic success in marketing campaigns, Aaron offers unique insights, blending his passion for college athletics with deep industry knowledge. 

• March Madness' Impact on Brand Visibility: March Madness offers unparalleled national visibility, particularly for underdog schools that manage to pull off big upsets, significantly impacting their brand recognition and interest levels. But is that impact just a flash-in-the-pan?
• Athletics and Enrollment Marketing: Discussion on how athletic success can be leveraged in marketing strategies to enhance enrollment efforts, including connecting athletic content with alumni outcomes and academic achievements.
• Future of College Athletics: Aaron shares his predictions on the evolving landscape of college athletics.

https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/blogs/call-action/2024/03/12/how-all-institutions-can-capitalize-march-madness
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/business/revenue-strategies/2024/03/21/betting-big-sports-help-balance-budget
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/online-colleges/does-march-madness-performance-drive-college-application-rates/

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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 inaugural episode of our Pulse Check series on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in higher education, where we dive into the fascinating world of institutional partnerships and consolidations. In today's episode, host Kin Sejpal is joined by Kevin Cavanagh, a seasoned expert in the field, who provides us with a bird's-eye view of the M&A landscape. Whether actively involved in an M&A initiative or not, gaining a high-level understanding of this topic will better equip listeners for what may be inevitable for many in the future.

In today’s episode, you can expect to:

• Understand why mergers and acquisitions are becoming more prevalent in higher education and how they serve as strategic responses to sector challenges.
• Learn about the importance of keeping student welfare and educational outcomes at the heart of merger and acquisition strategies.
• Discover the critical role that thorough planning and transparent communication play in the success of M&A processes.

Guest Name: Kevin Cavanagh

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-cavanagh-b4999b2a/

Host Name: Kin Sejpal

Host Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kinsejpal/  

X (Twitter): @KinSejpal 

Threads: @Kinsejpal 

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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 a special bonus episode recorded live at CUPRAP 2024, Mallory Willsea connects with Paul Redfern, VP for University Communications and Institutional Strategy at St. Lawrence University. They delve into the buzz around AI at the conference, strategies for attracting top talent to remote areas, and the innovative ways St. Lawrence University supports its hybrid workforce. This episode is a must-listen for those curious about the future of work in higher education and the evolving role of the CMO.

Guest Name: Paul Redfern, VP for University Communications and Institutional Strategy, St. Lawrence University and President of CUPRAP

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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.

After celebrating 100 years of the Wood Family maple production, Seth and Mallory examine the complex world of growing discount rates at private faith-based higher education institutions, revealing the challenges and strategic considerations schools face amid shifting market dynamics. This episode uncovers the realities of financial pressures, the importance of brand positioning between quality and value, and innovative approaches to tuition pricing. 

Leave a comment with your takeaways on Enrollify’s LinkedIn post and Seth and Mallory will pick two listeners at random to receive some sweet syrup treats.

Key Takeaways:

• The Rising Discount Dilemma: Growing discount rates are putting pressure on private institutions, forcing a reevaluation of enrollment strategies and financial sustainability.
• Branding and Pricing Strategies: The episode highlights the critical difference between quality and value brands in higher education and how misaligned pricing strategies can dilute brand perception.
• Institutional Examples: Discusses the bold moves by Colby Sawyer College and Lasell University to slash sticker prices to more accurately reflect what students actually pay, potentially setting a precedent for transparent pricing.
• Market Forces and Institutional Responses: Reflections on the broader implications of market forces on higher ed institutions, including the trend of school closures and mergers.

Related Links:

https://www.woodsmaple.com/

https://www.bethel.edu/institutional-data-research/bethel-study/survey-presentations/history/cccu-survey-2022.pdf

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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 special bonus episode of Higher Ed Pulse recorded live at CUPRAP 2024, Mallory Willsea sits down with Voltaire Santos Miran, Executive VP of Creative at Carnegie, to dive deep into the intersection of storytelling and artificial intelligence. Voltaire shares his perspective on AI as a crucial tool in the arsenal of modern storytellers, emphasizing its role in enhancing rather than replacing the human touch in creating compelling narratives. Together, they explore practical tools, strategies, and the philosophical implications of AI in storytelling, offering listeners a fresh outlook on leveraging technology to enrich higher education marketing.

• AI as a Storytelling Tool: Voltaire stresses that AI should be viewed as a tool to augment human creativity, not a threat or a gimmick.
• The Fundamentals of Storytelling: Despite advancements in technology, the core elements of storytelling remain unchanged. Voltaire revisits the timeless structure of storytelling, emphasizing the importance of conflict and the classic Pixar "once upon a time" narrative framework.
• Practical AI Tools for Marketers: Voltaire highlights specific AI tools like Jasper for maintaining brand voice and Beautiful.AI for creating engaging presentations.
• The Future of AI and Storytelling: The conversation shifts towards a thought-provoking perspective on the relationship between AI and storytelling, suggesting that the future of AI might actually hinge on storytelling itself.
• Adapting to Rapid Technological Changes: Both Mallory and Voltaire discuss the fast-paced evolution of technology, advising listeners to stay adaptable and open to changing tools and platforms in their marketing strategies.

Guest Name: Voltaire Santos Miran, Executive VP/Creative, Carnegie

View Voltaire's Keynote Slide Deck: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YlMqzc69IIp5EH38Uvgp0pYEyUtt8W5t/view?usp=sharing

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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 our latest Pulse Check - Personalizing Prospective Student Journeys, hosted by Mallory Willsea

In Part 3 of this series, Setting Students Up for Success, Dustin Ramsdell, Community Engagement Lead at Pathify, joins Mallory Willsea to discuss strategies for setting students up for success after they have committed to enroll. They delve into the responsibilities of institutions in preparing students, the significance of effective orientation programs, and the use of digital platforms to streamline the post-admission process. The conversation highlights the importance of personalized, high-tech support to ensure a seamless transition for students, especially those from first-generation backgrounds.

Key Takeaways:

• Importance of orientation and post-admission support for new students.
• Role of digital platforms in simplifying post-enrollment procedures.
• Strategies for engaging and preparing students for their college journey.
• Emphasizing the need for personalized support for first-generation students.
• Discussion on the role of institutions in breaking down silos to foster better student experiences.

This Pulse Check miniseries has been brought to you by Pathify. Gone are the days of clunky interfaces, disjointed systems, and massive (unhelpful) link farms. Centralize all your systems with Pathify so that students see the information that matters to them in a digital experience that actually makes sense. From prospective students through alumni, it’s about time the student experience started looking and acting like a consumer app from this century. Visit Pathify.com for more. 

Connect with Dustin Ramsdell - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/

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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 role of a CMO, especially in the dynamic landscape of higher education, requires a balance between strategic investment, operational agility, and creative problem-solving. In this compelling episode, Mallory and Seth discuss the evolving role of the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) in higher education. Drawing insights from recent research by SimpsonScarborough, they uncover the stark pressures CMOs face, from budget constraints to the expectation to be all-encompassing leaders. With the landscape of higher education marketing changing rapidly, how can today's CMOs navigate these challenges through strategic innovation and effective resource management?

Key Takeaways:

• Pressure on CMOs: Nearly every CMO feels the burden of leadership expectations with inadequate resources 
• The Unicorn CMO: Today's CMOs are expected to be strategic visionaries, operational experts, tech-savvy, and more, amidst resource constraints.
• Networking & Opportunities: A rise in professionals seeking opportunities outside campus roles, highlighting a need for impactful work without barriers.
• Resource Management Over Resource Increase: Emphasizing efficient use of available resources through innovation, especially leveraging AI for productivity.
• Investing in MarTech: The imbalance in higher education budgets, with a call to reallocate towards marketing technology for scalability and efficiency.
• Book Recommendations: Seth and Mallory share some of their favorites.

Related Links: 
https://cmo-study.simpsonscarborough.com/?hsCtaTracking=265fc78a-3d5d-4c2e-822e-67008ea93498%7C4d061a2c-1bc4-4b50-8430-d27ca04127a6

https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/blogs/call-action

Book Recommendation List:
https://www.amazon.com/Buyer-Personas-Customers-Expectations-Strategies/dp/1118961501

https://www.amazon.com/Ten-Types-Innovation-Discipline-Breakthroughs/dp/1118504240

https://www.amazon.com/Buy-Back-Your-Time-Unstuck/dp/059342297X/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid[…]2Caps%2C138&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Shoe-Dog-Phil-Knight/dp/1471178412/ref=sr_1_5?crid=M831Z50FG4[…]s=shoe+dog&qid=1709838153&sprefix=shoe+dog%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-5

https://www.amazon.com/Principles-Life-Work-Ray-Dalio/dp/1501124021/ref=tmm_hrd_swat[…]yQEGj2XKVmNJiKLa-13rrOcyfRmt6jzAEtj_ibo&qid=1709838189&sr=8-1

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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.