Higher Ed Pulse

We’re closing out the 2025 Enrollify Hall of Fame series with a powerful and personal voice — Harrison Campbell, better known as Soup. A former dean of admissions, current VP of Campus Partnerships at Ardeo Education Solutions, and a parent who recently experienced the college search from the other side, Soup brings a rare blend of professional insight and personal empathy to the table.

Across his appearances on Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager and Higher Ed Pulse, Soup has challenged the higher ed community to reexamine how we communicate with students and families — not just what we say, but how it feels to be on the receiving end.

His message is the perfect way to end this year’s Hall of Fame series: technology should build trust, not walls — and student support starts with understanding the full human experience.

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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 Part 3 of this Pulse Check series, host Jake Tolman reveals the real prep work for effective project managment — the parts that never make it into the sales deck. You’ll learn how to identify your project manager, early risks to watch for, and effective change models to guide your people. You’ll walk away knowing exactly what to look for in an effective project leader, what to prepare them for, and whether you need expert guidance to get there. 

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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.

For our next inductee to the Enrollify Hall of Fame, we're celebrating the game-changing contributions of John Azoni, founder and executive producer at UNVEILD — a creative studio on a mission to help colleges and universities tell better stories through repeatable, student-centered video content. Across episodes of Talking Tactics, Mission Admissions, and Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO, John has consistently challenged institutions to think beyond one-off glossy video productions. His vision? A smarter, scalable system that helps enrollment and marketing teams meet Gen Z where they are — with authenticity, consistency, and strategy. In this special episode, we’ve compiled some of John’s most impactful clips across the Enrollify Podcast Network — a masterclass in both the craft and the strategy of video in 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.

Today we spotlight Marina Cooper, Senior Associate Vice President for Integrated Marketing and Brand at Johns Hopkins University. Known for her strategic boldness and deep empathy, Marina shares insights on navigating AI in higher ed marketing, overcoming imposter syndrome, and leading with intentionality. From dynamic creative optimization to building supportive professional networks, this episode offers a masterclass in modern leadership for higher ed marketers. Tune in to discover how Marina blends curiosity with discipline and innovation with integrity.

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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 Part 2 of this Pulse Check series, Jake Tolman sits down with Kirsten Gallagher, founder of Kaizen Ninja and a process improvement expert, to explore how AI can be a powerful tool for refining operations and driving better student outcomes in higher ed. This episode dives deep into the messy middle of project implementation—where systems break down and process gaps become most apparent—and explores how AI can help campuses spot inefficiencies, adapt quickly, and scale with confidence. Whether you’re mapping out admissions workflows or figuring out how to better serve military students, this is a must-listen for higher ed PMs and campus leaders alike.

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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.

Meet the next inductee into Enrollify’s Hall of Fame: Sarah Russell, Vice President of Marketing at Education Dynamics. In this special edition episode, host Mallory Willsea explores Sarah’s most compelling insights pulled from her appearances on Higher Ed Pulse, EduData, and The Application. With 16+ years at the intersection of digital disruption and higher ed, Sarah dives deep into how AI is rewriting the rules of SEO, brand marketing, and enrollment strategy. This highlight-packed episode is essential listening for anyone navigating the messy middle of the student journey in 2025.

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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 sits down with one of the youngest AI creators to grace the show—eight-year-old Cora Budd, a third grader at Division Street Elementary. Together, they explore how Gen Alpha is already using AI not just for learning, but for bold, imaginative storytelling. From building entire fictional universes to designing merch and comics, Cora shows how her generation is blending creativity and technology in remarkable ways. This episode offers a glimpse into the future of AI in education, through the lens of a curious, confident third grader.

Related Links:
Parent Survey Finds Half of Gen Alpha Students Using AI

Gen AI and Gen Alpha: The impacts of growing up in an innovation cycle

Children’s Mental Models of Generative Visual and Text Based AI Models

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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 back to the Enrollify Hall of Fame series, where we spotlight some of the most compelling voices and visionary thinkers in higher education marketing and enrollment. Today, we're featuring Carrie Pitts-Densmore, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Johnston Community College. Carrie’s fearless leadership style, her candor around AI and culture shifts, and her relentless focus on student-centered strategy make her a standout across multiple shows on the Enrollify Network. If you're grappling with how to implement tech, lead with equity, or build empowered teams, this Hall of Fame episode is a masterclass you won't want to miss.

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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.

Jake Tolman, CEO of MainForm Consulting, kicks off a four-part pulse check series from Enrollify with guest John Connolly of PMO Delivery Partners. Together, they explore how the traditional Project Management Office (PMO) in higher education is evolving amidst digital transformation and the rise of AI. With deep insights on project governance, organizational learning, and AI's growing role in project management, this episode sets the stage for how institutions can future-proof their project work and governance models.

mainformconsulting.com

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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.