Washington’s Marching Orders for Higher Ed

On this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea is joined by Brad Carson—former University of Tulsa president, former U.S. Congressman, and now president of Americans for Responsible Innovation—to explore how colleges are being drafted into America’s AI future. They break down the implications of two recent executive orders that effectively position higher education as both workforce engines and cybersecurity sentinels in the AI era. This isn’t a drill—colleges are now critical infrastructure. So, what role should higher ed play in shaping AI’s trajectory? Let’s dive in.

Guest Name: Brad Carson, President, Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI)

Guest Bio: Brad Carson is President of Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI), a nonprofit supporting AI policies that protect the public while maintaining our country’s lead in innovation. Carson has also served as president of the University of Tulsa since 2021. Carson was previously elected as congressman for Oklahoma's 2nd District and served from 2001 to 2005. After his time in Congress, Carson was appointed as Under Secretary of the Army and later as Acting Under Secretary of Defense.

- - - -

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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register