Higher Ed Pulse

By Mallory WillseaBusiness Technology Education How To

Higher Ed Pulse episodes

January 26 AI Won’t Save Higher Ed, Leadership Will
Mallory Willsea sits down with Dr. Claire Brady, President of Glass Half-Full Consulting and author of the upcoming book AI with Intention: The Leadership Guide for Higher Education. Together, they unpack how artificial intelligence is quietly but rapidly becoming default infrastructure across college campuses — not through flashy rollouts, but through everyday, often invisible workflows. If you’re tired of AI hype and wondering whether you’re already behind, this episode is your wake-up call. Learn how the institutions that treat AI as a strategic lever — not a pressure valve — will come out ahead in 2026 and beyond.
How Will AI Actually Show Up in Higher Ed in 2026?

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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.
27 min
January 22 Pulse Check: The Human Side: Managing Fear, Change, and Skepticism when it comes to AI — Part 3
Carrie Phillips sits down with Irene Borys from Augustana College to explore the emotional and cultural dynamics of AI adoption in higher education. Rather than focusing on the tech itself, they delve into the deeper fears, questions, and resistance that AI stirs up — and how higher ed leaders can guide their institutions through this change with empathy, intentionality, and strategy. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating digital transformation in academia.
Guest Name: Irene Borys, Assistant Vice President of Marketing & Brand Communication, Augustanna College
Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenekaredisborys/
Guest Bio: Irene Karedis Borys leads Augustana's Office of Communication and Marketing, a multi-talented team of 12 staff members who serve enrollment marketing, brand strategy, campus and alumni communications, media engagement and event management. As assistant vice president, Borys oversees the planning, development and execution of the college's marketing and brand initiatives with primary responsibility to shape the college's brand and promotion strategy.
Borys previously held roles at the Childress Agency, the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce and UnityPoint Health. Before coming to the Quad Cities, she held roles in marketing for more than six years after nearly four years in government relations in Washington, D.C.

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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.
19 min
January 19 Not Every Game Is Winnable
In the 100th episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea reunites with Seth Odell, CEO of Kanahoma, and Zach Busekrus, Founder of Enrollify, for a reunion-style retrospective packed with spicy takes, hard truths, and actionable wisdom. This milestone conversation explores what aged well, what flopped, and how higher ed marketers should be thinking about strategy, AI, and student trust in 2026. From brand refresh fatigue to the death of attribution, this is a must-listen for any enrollment marketer navigating today’s digital chaos.

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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.
37 min
January 15 Pulse Check: The Human Side: Managing Fear, Change, and Skepticism when it comes to AI — Part 2
Carrie Phillips is joined by Janelle Holmboe, Chief Enrollment and Marketing Officer at McDaniel College, for a powerful conversation at the intersection of AI, innovation, and organizational leadership. This episode goes beyond the tools and tactics—it’s a masterclass in how to restructure teams, rethink priorities, and redefine innovation in higher ed. If you're a leader trying to manage change without burning out your people, this episode is essential listening.
Guest Name: Janelle Holmboe, Executive Vice President for Constituent Engagement, McDaniel College
Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-holmboe-31b61427/
Guest Bio: Enrollment professional with experience leading enrollment and communication teams in advancing the strategic goals of an institution. Professional experience includes enrollment, communications and marketing experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Currently serving as the chief enrollment officer and chief communications officer at McDaniel College, overseeing admissions, financial aid, and communications and marketing to further the institutional mission. Currently leading the development of the college's new constituent engagement model which includes institutional advancement and enrollment management. Previous position at Warren Wilson College and American International College included overseeing all aspects of undergraduate and graduate outreach, recruiting and admission, leading to record undergraduate and graduate applications and enrollment.

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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.
17 min
January 12 Sora Is Good Enough to Be Dangerous
Mallory Willsea sits down with Erin Fields, Marketing Director at Ologie (and former Enrollify team member), to explore the shifting role of AI video in higher education marketing. Together, they dissect the creative possibilities, strategic risks, and trust considerations emerging from tools like Sora, while tackling how marketers should use AI video as an ideation engine—not a shortcut to storytelling. This conversation offers a grounded, forward-looking take on how higher ed marketers can responsibly and creatively integrate AI video into their workflows.
#NotJustaCadburyAd with Shah Rukh Khan

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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.
33 min
January 08 Pulse Check: The Human Side: Managing Fear, Change, and Skepticism when it comes to AI — Part 1
Welcome to our first Pulse Check of 2026. In this Part 1, Carrie Phillips sits down with Brian Berry, Vice Provost of Research and Dean of the Graduate School at UA Little Rock. Brian also chairs the university’s AI Council, where he's helping build responsible frameworks for AI governance, policy, and adoption. This isn’t a theoretical conversation—it’s a transparent and practical look at how institutions can integrate AI without losing their soul. From the risks to the opportunities, this episode is a must-listen for anyone shaping the future of AI in higher education.
Guest Name: Brian Berry, Vice Provost of Research & Deam of Graduate School, UA Little Rock
Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-berry-6867039/
Guest Bio: Dr. Brian Berry serves as the Vice Provost of Research and Dean of the graduate school at UA Little Rock. Dr. Brian Berry previously served as the department chair for the UA Little Rock chemistry department. He has also served as assistant professor of chemistry since 2008. Dr. Berry earned his Ph.D. in applied science and chemistry, as well as a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from UA Little Rock. He also completed a postdoctoral at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as well as a National Research Council postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology prior to returning to UA Little Rock as an assistant professor.

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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.
24 min
January 05 Everything AI Won’t Do For You in 2026
Mallory sits down with Dan Sanchez—creator, storyteller, and founder of the AI-Driven Marketer—to explore the limits of AI in higher education. As we step into 2026, this conversation is a timely gut-check on what artificial intelligence can’t do for enrollment leaders. From human judgment to authentic storytelling and culture-building, Mallory and Dan make the case that AI is a powerful tool, but it won’t replace the human element that builds trust, authority, and belonging on campus.
Check out the AI Driven Marketer

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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.
30 min
December 29, 2025The AI Conversations That Defined 2025
In the final 2025 episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea curates the most impactful AI-focused conversations of the year, featuring expert voices like Soup Campbell, Jeremy Tiers, Jason Smith, Mike Bell, Marina Cooper, and John Carrere. This mashup episode explores how AI reshaped the student journey, enrollment strategies, and campus operations. More than a tech trend, AI became a spotlight—revealing the cracks, contradictions, and opportunities institutions can no longer afford to ignore.
Listen to the full episodes:
Is Meta’s AI Rewriting the Future of Advertising?
Is Your College Showing Up in AI Search?
What High School Seniors Really Think About AI
Inside the 2025 AI Search Trends Report
What DC’s AI Executive Order Means for Higher Ed
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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.
31 min
December 25, 2025 Pulse Check: Building the Modern Campus - A Higher-Ed Project Management Playbook — Pt. 4
Jake Tolman sits down with senior data scientist and founder of Between the Data, Ben Burke, to explore what it truly means for higher ed project managers to become AI-fluent. This episode unpacks the growing role of artificial intelligence in campus operations and how PMs can harness AI to boost productivity, improve communication, and stay future-ready without fearing replacement. If you’re navigating digital transformation on your campus, this conversation is a must-listen.
Guest Name: Ben Burke, Senior Data Scientist, Slalom
Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-burke-data/
Guest Bio: Ben is a Sr. Data Scientist and AI Engineer consultant developing Generative AI solutions for Fortune 1000 companies. He’s known for his practical, human-centered approach to AI adoption, and for teaching professionals how to partner with AI to improve clarity, collaboration, and decision-making. His business, Between The Data, helps teams using AI 'build the right things'. You can find him on LinkedIn where he posts about AI, team formation, project management, and his family.

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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.
35 min
December 22, 2025 Enabling the Longitudinal View: Rethinking Student Success in an AI Era
Mallory Willsea sits down with David Weil, SVP for Strategic Services and CIO at Ithaca College, to unpack a bold thesis from his recent EDUCAUSE article. The two dive deep into how AI’s most transformative potential in higher education isn’t found in flashy tools or automations — it’s in building a longitudinal view of the student experience. From data ethics and institutional silos to retention strategies and responsible design, this conversation challenges the status quo and outlines a human-first path forward for AI in higher ed.
David's Article: Three Years In: Reflections and Considerations for the Next Chapter of AI in Higher Education

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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.
27 min

About Higher Ed Pulse

From the publisher's feed

Higher Ed Pulse is your weekly no-fluff guide to AI in higher ed. Higher ed leaders are expected to master AI overnight. But let’s be real — no one has time to sift through every headline, hot take, or research report.