Ryan Morabito sits down with Tariq Hassan, former CMO and Chief Customer Experience Officer at McDonald's USA, to unpack the evolving marketing landscape. From the critical role of first-party data to building a fearless, innovation-driven culture, Tariq shares leadership insights that higher education marketers can directly apply. This episode is a masterclass in marketing transformation, organizational alignment, and using failure as a strategic advantage. Guest Name: Tariq Hassan Guest Social...
May 01, 2025•40 min
In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea sits down with Jeremy Tiers, VP of Admission Services at Tudor Collegiate Strategies and host of Enrollify’s Mission Admissions podcast, and Harrison “Soup” Campbell, Head of Community Experience at ZeeMee, to discuss groundbreaking new survey data from over 8,700 high school seniors on how they perceive AI in the college search process. The big reveal? Gen Z is using AI tools like ChatGPT, but they still crave human interaction — especial...
Apr 28, 2025•30 min•Ep. 250
Welcome to Part 1 of this new Pulse Check series from Enrollify. In this episode, Host Ryan Morbido sits down with Seth Matlins, Managing Director of the Forbes CMO Network. With decades of experience on both the agency and client side, Seth unpacks what makes modern CMOs successful, how AI and ambiguity are shaping the future of marketing, and what higher ed leaders can learn from commercial brand strategies. This episode is a masterclass in marketing leadership, strategic storytelling, and bol...
Apr 24, 2025•30 min
Related Articles: Shopify’s CEO Just Issued a Bold AI Ultimatum to His Entire Team ASU+GSV 2025: Uses for Agentic AI in Higher Education Learning Genie Unveils First AI Curriculum Agent at ASU-GSV - - - - 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...
Apr 21, 2025•25 min•Ep. 249
Welcome to Part 3 of this Pulse Check series on practical strategies for getting started with AI. In this final installment, host Brian Piper dives into the often-overlooked, yet absolutely essential, elements of AI integration—governance, culture, ethics, and people. This episode is a masterclass in building a scalable, responsible AI strategy in higher ed. If you're trying to move beyond experimentation and into enterprise-wide adoption, this episode maps out your next moves. Check out Brian's...
Apr 17, 2025•28 min
Monday pulse show notes: On this thought-provoking episode of Higher Ed Pulse , host Mallory Willsea sits down with Myla Edmond —Senior Vice President at RW Jones Agency and Interim Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications at UNC Greensboro—to unpack the creative identity crisis brewing in higher ed marketing thanks to generative AI. With tools like ChatGPT’s image generator mimicking iconic art styles, institutions are forced to ask: how do we protect authenticity in a world where anyone ca...
Apr 14, 2025•23 min•Ep. 248
Welcome to Part 2 of this Pulse Check series on Practical AI Integration. Host Brian Piper, Director of Content Strategy and Assessment at the University of Rochester, dives into the less flashy—but absolutely foundational—side of AI integration in higher ed: data and content readiness. While generative AI tools and chatbots get most of the spotlight, this conversation unpacks the importance of data hygiene, content audits, and governance frameworks that are crucial for avoiding AI hallucination...
Apr 10, 2025•21 min
In this episode of The Higher Ed Pulse , host Mallory dives into a timely conversation with digital strategist and higher ed creative force Voltaire Santos Miran. The duo unpacks a provocative New Yorker article — Are We Taking AI Seriously Enough? — and explores how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way institutions create, communicate, and compete. From automating content personalization to reimagining pedagogy, they explore why AI in higher education isn’t just an opportunity — i...
Apr 07, 2025•26 min•Ep. 247
Welcome to a new Pulse Check series from Enrollify. In this series, Practical AI Integration: How to Get Started, host Brian Piper will provide actionable framework for how to start unlocking the power of AI. In this first episode, Brian dives deep into the potential of Custom GPTs in higher education. With a focus on improving workflow efficiency, brand consistency, and content strategy, Brian breaks down how custom GPTs—miniature AI tools trained on specific institutional data—are revolutioniz...
Apr 03, 2025•22 min
In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse , Mallory Willsea welcomes Kelly Sinacola, VP of Solution Engineering and Integration at Element451 and one of ASU+GSV’s “Leading Women in AI,” to unpack higher ed’s ever-evolving relationship with artificial intelligence. From student support bots to responsible AI partnerships, this episode explores how institutions are moving from resistance to full-on adoption. The conversation dives into what true AI literacy looks like, why trust is key, and where the nex...
Mar 31, 2025•19 min•Ep. 246
Welcome to the 5th and final episode of this Pulse Check series. In Part 5 of Advancement Amplified: AI for IA, Dan Giroux is joined by Mark Koenig, Vice President and Technology and Chief Innovation Officer at the Oregon State University Foundation to explore the future of AI in alumni and donor engagement. Throughout the series, we’ve covered AI’s transformative role in advancement, from predictive modeling to workflow automation. In this episode, we focus on what’s next: how machine learning,...
Mar 27, 2025•47 min
In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse , host Mallory sits down with Bryan Gross, VP for Enrollment Management and Athletics at Hartwick College, for a fast-paced and thought-provoking chat that connects the madness of NCAA brackets with the science of student wellness. From a million-dollar bet on AI-powered sports predictions to groundbreaking research on sleep as a mental health indicator, this episode is a masterclass in how higher ed leaders should be thinking about the intersection of AI, athl...
Mar 24, 2025•16 min•Ep. 245
In Part 3 of this advancement Amplified: AI for IA Pulse Check series, Dan Giroux sits down with Adam Martel, CEO of Givzy and Version 2 AI, to explore the groundbreaking role of autonomous AI in fundraising and donor engagement. Adam shares insights on how AI is not just enhancing efficiency but fundamentally reshaping how institutions connect with donors. From virtual engagement officers to digital labor strategies, this conversation dives deep into the future of AI-driven philanthropy and wha...
Mar 20, 2025•44 min
In this episode, Mallory and higher ed expert Gil Rogers dive into one of the biggest recent headlines in education technology—the merger of Gravity, Ivy.ai, and Ocelot. They break down why AI-powered chatbots are no longer standalone game-changers, what this consolidation means for institutions, and how next-gen CRMs are reshaping the student experience. If you want to stay ahead of the curve in AI for higher ed, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Related Articles: Sam Holding, Head of ...
Mar 17, 2025•15 min•Ep. 244
In this episode of Advancement Amplified: AI for IA , host Dan Giroux sits down with Andrew Gossen, Executive Director of Communications, Marketing, and Participation at Cornell University, to explore how AI is reshaping advancement teams. Andrew shares insights on AI’s impact on marketing, fundraising, and engagement, as well as how institutions can balance efficiency with the human connection that remains at the heart of advancement. From predictive analytics to AI-powered donor insights, this...
Mar 13, 2025•50 min
This episode marks a big transition—Seth is stepping away, and Mallory is steering Higher Ed Pulse into a new direction. Seth and Mallory reflect on the show’s journey so far, what they’ve learned, and what’s next as the podcast evolves into a weekly AI-focused look at higher ed. It’s still all about checking the pulse—just with a sharper focus on AI’s impact. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/ https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea About The E...
Mar 10, 2025•20 min•Ep. 243
Welcome to "Advancement Amplified: AI for IA," a 5-part Pulse Check hosted by Dan Giroux, a higher education marketing and communications leader focused on elevating the strategic impact of Advancement. Advancement is at a pivotal moment. As institutions navigate shifting donor expectations, alumni engagement challenges, financial pressures, and the demand for greater efficiency, AI is emerging as a transformative force. In today's Part 2, Dan chats with Kim Infanti, Executive Director of Alumni...
Mar 06, 2025•35 min
Mallory and Seth dive into a growing crisis in higher education—burnout. Drawing from a recent Chronicle of Higher Education report, they explore the alarming data on faculty and staff exhaustion, workload increases, and political pressures. But rather than just acknowledging the issue, they focus on solutions—specifically, how AI can help alleviate burnout by automating repetitive tasks, improving efficiency, and allowing educators to focus on what they do best. Whether you’re an AI skeptic or ...
Mar 03, 2025•22 min•Ep. 242
Welcome to "Advancement Amplified: AI for IA," a 5-part Pulse Check hosted by Dan Giroux, a higher education marketing and communications leader focused on elevating the strategic impact of Advancement. Advancement is at a pivotal moment. As institutions navigate shifting donor expectations, alumni engagement challenges, financial pressures, and the demand for greater efficiency, AI is emerging as a transformative force. In today's Part 1, Dan Giroux sits down with Matthew Lambert, Senior Vice P...
Feb 27, 2025•46 min
Higher ed is exhausted—literally. A new report from The Chronicle of Higher Education confirms what many faculty and staff already feel: heavier workloads, fewer resources, and increasing pressure are pushing employees to the brink. But is there a way out? In this episode, Mallory and Seth explore how AI can be a powerful tool in reducing burnout, streamlining workloads, and helping institutions retain their best talent. Plus, they share real-world AI solutions, from automating admin tasks to fr...
Feb 24, 2025•21 min•Ep. 241
Welcome to this new Pulse Check series on the power of storytelling. This is Part 5: AI-Powered Storytelling. In this episode of Strategic Storytelling, host Maria Kuntz speaks with Tina Miller. They discuss the transformative role of AI in storytelling and communication within higher education, particularly at Arizona State University. Tina shares her journey of integrating AI tools into her team's processes, enhancing creativity and productivity, and developing proprietary AI models to support...
Feb 20, 2025•43 min
Welcome to this new Pulse Check series on the power of storytelling. This is Part 4: Leveraging Stakeholder Engagement for Strategic Storytelling. In this episode of Strategic Storytelling, host Maria Kuntz speaks with Anna McBrayer, Chief Marketing Officer at Fort Lewis College, about the importance of strategic storytelling in higher education. They discuss the process of stakeholder engagement, balancing creativity with institutional goals, and the significance of student-driven narratives. A...
Feb 13, 2025•34 min
Hosts Mallory and Seth dive into the books that have profoundly shaped their leadership philosophies. From timeless business classics to modern leadership must-reads, they share personal anecdotes, key insights, and how these books have influenced their careers. If you’re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, rethink your approach to work, or just add some solid reads to your bookshelf, this episode is for you. Their Book Recommendations: How To Be a Great Boss - Gino Wickman and Rene Boer ...
Feb 10, 2025•23 min•Ep. 240
Welcome to this new Pulse Check series on the power of storytelling. This is Part 3: Multicultural Brand Marketing. In this episode of Strategic Storytelling, host Maria Kuntz interviews Christian Ponce, the Associate Vice President for Marketing at Old Dominion University. They discuss the importance of storytelling in higher education marketing, particularly focusing on multicultural marketing strategies. Christian shares his personal journey into the field, key moments that shaped his approac...
Feb 06, 2025•36 min
Hosts Seth Odell and Mallory Willsea tackle one of the most pressing questions in higher education today: What do students and families actually care about in 2025? With application season in full swing and yield season just around the corner, institutions must understand what’s driving enrollment decisions. Spoiler alert—it’s all about proof, not just promises. From career outcomes to tuition transparency and campus safety, Seth and Mallory break down the key factors influencing students and fa...
Feb 03, 2025•22 min•Ep. 239
Welcome to this new Pulse Check series on the power of storytelling. This is Part 2: From News to Narrative: Frank Tramble on Transforming Higher Ed Storytelling. Frank Tramble shares about the importance of an integrated marketing and communications strategy, understanding your audience's core motivations to create more impactful messages and the need to always to be learning. Guest Name: Frank Tramble, Duke University Guest Bio: Frank Tramble is a highly accomplished communications professiona...
Jan 30, 2025•27 min
Mallory and Seth dive into the provocative topic of AI's role in higher education, asking the critical question: Does AI act as higher ed’s crisis compass by building resilience, or does it expose vulnerabilities we’d rather ignore? The conversation explores how AI is transforming institutions, from identifying inefficiencies to bridging communication gaps, while also highlighting leadership’s role in determining whether these insights drive progress—or further deepen the cracks. If you’re curio...
Jan 27, 2025•21 min•Ep. 238
Welcome to this new Pulse Check series on the power of storytelling. On this Part 1: Reimagining the University as a “Big Brand”, guest Matt McFadden talks about embracing the fact that universities are mega brands and how this should influence the way we market to different audiences through a values-based brand platform. Case studies include Nike and three universities with very different use cases. Guest Name: Matt McFadden, Simpson & Scarborough Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/...
Jan 23, 2025•49 min
Hosts Mallory and Seth explore the art and strategy behind storytelling in higher education marketing. From its emotional impact to its ability to build authentic connections, they discuss how storytelling differentiates institutions in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Seth shares insights from his recent team retreat and dives deep into effective frameworks, platforms, and actionable steps for crafting compelling narratives. Key Takeaways Storytelling's Importance: Stories are the bridge be...
Jan 20, 2025•27 min•Ep. 237
Part 3: The Confidence Equation: Building Resilience and Owning Your Wins This episode explores how to recognize your achievements, combat imposter syndrome, and step into opportunities with confidence. It’s about resilience and learning to see yourself as a leader, even when doubt creeps in. Key Takeaways Imposter Syndrome Isn’t Truth: Doubts often stem from self-imposed narratives, not reality. Recognizing this is the first step in overcoming them. Celebrate Every Win: Whether big or small, re...
Jan 16, 2025•31 min
