Search marketing isn’t what it used to be, and in higher ed, that opens the door to new possibilities. In this episode, Sarah Russell, Vice President of Marketing at Education Dynamics, joins Allison to explore how AI is reshaping the way prospective students search for and engage with colleges and universities. From Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) to the rise of zero-click search, Sarah unpacks what these shifts mean for your digital strategy. You’ll hear how to strengthen your technical SEO, rethink your content approach, and connect the dots between performance marketing and brand awareness.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [2:19] How student search behavior is becoming more conversational
• [9:58] What to automate vs. what to manage manually
• [16:29] How to measure success with AI density and search share of voice

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Semrush
• Conductor

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “The Application with Allison Turcio” in your favorite podcast player.

Guest Name: Sarah Russell, Vice President of Marketing, EducationDynamics

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:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio 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.

Allison Turcio dives into a fascinating panel discussion from EduWeb 2025 featuring the real decision-makers in college admissions: parents, school counselors, and high school teachers. They revealed how students actually search for schools, what turns families off immediately, and what colleges must do better when it comes to communication, transparency, and retention.

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio 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 recap episode from EduWeb Summit 2025, host Allison Turcio shares a transformational case study from Vermont Law and Graduate School that proves why authenticity—not polish—is the future of higher ed marketing. Struggling with brand confusion after adding new grad programs, the school found itself drifting from its core identity. The turning point? A bold shift back to its mission, its students, and its unique community values. From repositioning their messaging around social justice to closing the loop between admissions and marketing, Vermont Law embraced who they are—and saw incredible results. Cost per lead dropped by 50%, student interest surged, and the admissions team finally had leads they were excited to talk to.

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio 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.

Reporting from eduWeb Summit 2025, Allison Turcio unpacks groundbreaking research presented by Faton Sopa of Manaferra — research that redefines how students actually search for colleges in today’s digital-first landscape. Spoiler alert: the traditional enrollment funnel is officially broken. From anonymous, omnichannel discovery journeys to the increasing influence of AI and TikTok on college decision-making, this episode reveals what enrollment marketers must do now to stay competitive. Whether you’re still relying on Google Ads or wondering how to optimize for ChatGPT and Gemini, Allison breaks it all down into four urgent, actionable takeaways.
Tune in for an energizing, data-driven conversation that challenges the status quo and maps out the next era of enrollment marketing strategy.

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio 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.

Recorded live from the eduWeb Summit 2025, Allison Turcio breaks down insightful research shared by Grant De Roo of ADV Market Research and Kristen Lainsbury, VP for Communications and Marketing at Bates College. The focus? Brand clarity in higher education—and how it significantly affects enrollment, retention, and even your discount rate. If your marketing still leans heavily on community messaging, this data-driven discussion will inspire a powerful shift toward storytelling that prioritizes academic experience and student outcomes.

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio 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 EDU Web Summit 2025 takeaway, Allison breaks down one of the most buzzworthy sessions of the conference — Boston University’s Metropolitan College’s SEO-savvy content strategy. Discover how they turned old newsletters and student spotlights into a powerhouse enrollment marketing tool that’s winning Google’s AI Overview and influencing prospective students to take action. This episode of the EDU Web Podcast delivers a masterclass in content repurposing and SEO for higher education marketers.

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio 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.

What if your most effective recruitment tool starts with a microphone? In this episode, Dr. Chris Lewis, Director of Graduate Programs at the University of Michigan-Flint and host of Victors in Grad School, shares how a grassroots podcast grew into a strategic enrollment asset. Chris walks us through how the show evolved into a multi-touchpoint engagement tool that supports prospective students, current learners, and alumni alike. From concept to execution, we explore how this low-cost, high-impact effort engages audiences across the entire enrollment funnel.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [4:55] Smart distribution strategies for maximum impact
• [9:20] Why small podcast audiences still deliver big value
• [17:31] How to start a podcast without big resources

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Victors in Grad School
• Castmagic
• ChatGPT

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “The Application with Allison Turcio” in your favorite podcast player.

Guest Name: Dr. Chris Lewis

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

Guest Bio: With over two decades of experience in student affairs, enrollment management, and graduate education, Dr. Lewis has dedicated his career to fostering student success and institutional excellence. Dr. Lewis currently serves as the Director of Graduate Programs at the University of Michigan- Flint, where he has successfully increased enrollment, revitalized graduate admissions policies, and enhanced student engagement through innovative initiatives, including the creation of the Victors in Grad School and Law School Insider podcasts. His leadership extends beyond administration—he is a thought leader committed to elevating the graduate student experience. A proud member of the NASPA community and NASPA Foundation Pillar of the Profession, Dr. Lewis has served in numerous leadership capacities, including as Chair of the Student Affairs Partnering with Academic Affairs (SAPAA) Knowledge Community and the founder of and co- producer of NASPA’s SA Voices from the Field podcast. He has also played a key role in NASPA’s Excellence Awards and Mid-Level Managers Institutes, shaping the next generation of student affairs professionals. 

Beyond his contributions to NASPA, Dr. Lewis has held pivotal roles at institutions such as Lansing Community College, Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc, and Grand Valley State University. His expertise spans student services, enrollment management, strategic planning, and digital engagement—always with a focus on student success, equity, and access. An accomplished author and presenter, Dr. Lewis has shared his insights at national conferences, published works on academic and student affairs collaboration, and championed the use of podcasting as a tool for professional development and institutional storytelling. In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Lewis is deeply involved in his community, serving as an elected school board member, a dedicated Rotarian, and an advocate for educational excellence at all levels.

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio 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.

Allison takes listeners behind the scenes at the Engage Summit 2025 and breaks down a powerful insight from Mallory Willsea’s session. From the rise of ChatGPT-powered college research to the blunt, late-night questions students won’t ask on tours, this episode unpacks how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are redefining how they engage with higher ed—and what enrollment marketers must do now to meet them where they are.

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio 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.

Your website isn’t just a digital brochure. It’s your most powerful marketing asset. In this episode, Brittney Miller (Director of Communications and Marketing) and Britt Heppler (Digital Media Specialist) from Angelo State University join Allison to share how they turned underperforming academic program pages into high-converting recruitment tools. They break down the strategy, collaboration, and SEO tactics that led to a 370% increase in RFI submissions. We also explore how they used data, internal buy-in, and smart design to create a better experience for both students and parents. 

Join us as we discuss:

• [1:53] Why program pages are more than just content
• [8:51] How to gain buy-in and merge faculty insight with SEO strategy
• [14:47] What metrics to track for maximum success

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• BrightEdge
• ChatGPT
• EduWeb Summit

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “The Application with Allison Turcio” in your favorite podcast player.

Guest Name: 

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio 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.

Allison dives into a powerful session recap from the Engage Summit, spotlighting a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Matthew Winn and JC Bonilla. The episode, titled “Do We Have an AI Problem or a Culture Problem in Enrollment?”, unpacks the real obstacles preventing effective AI integration on campuses—and it’s not what most assume. Instead of a tech challenge, Winn and Bonilla argue, higher ed institutions are facing a culture challenge that requires a deep mindset shift. If you're exploring how to use AI in higher education to drive better outcomes, this is a must-listen.

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Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Application with Allison Turcio 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.