Higher Ed Pulse

In this special year-in-review episode, hosts Mallory Wilsey and Seth Odell reflect on 2024, highlighting key trends, professional insights, and personal lessons. From the increasing impact of AI in higher education to the importance of resilience and foundational marketing strategies, this episode offers a candid and inspiring recap of the year. Mallory and Seth also explore the evolving mental h...

In this engaging episode recorded live at the AMA Higher Ed Symposium, host Carrie connects with Carrie Pitts-Densmore, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Johnston Community College. Together, they delve into the transformative role of AI in higher education, exploring its potential to streamline processes, address staffing challenges, and enhance student success. This discussion highli...

In this special Thanksgiving-themed episode, hosts Mallory and Seth dive deep into the power of community, confidence, and meaningful decision-making. Reflecting on personal and professional growth, they discuss how high-stakes decisions can shape careers, why community support is integral to success, and how confidence evolves over time. Inspired by insights shared during an AMA fireside chat wit...

In this insightful episode, host Mallory chats live from the AMA Higher Education Symposium in Las Vegas with Nathan Ament, VP of Enrollment at Knox College. Together, they dive into the intersection of enrollment and marketing at small colleges, explore the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on student recruitment, and discuss innovative strategies for demonstrating the value of higher educat...

In this episode of Reclaiming Free Speech, Democracy, and Discourse on Campus: A Post-2024 Election America , Dr. J. Cody Nielsen hosts Dr. Peter Levine, Associate Dean at Tufts University and an expert on civic democracy. Just days after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, they unpack the election’s implications for higher education, civic democracy, and the role of college campuses in fostering...

In this episode live from the AMA Symposium, host Carrie sits down with Joe Master, Managing Director of Brand and Marketing Strategy at R.W. Jones Agency, to explore the nuances of branding in higher education. Joe shares insights from his journey in university marketing and communications, including lessons from brands like Lego and Crayola, and how their simple yet elegant approaches can inspir...

In this episode of the Higher Ed Pulse, live from AMA, Mallory sits down with Bob Rafferty, Partner and EVP at Simpson Scarborough, to discuss the transformative role of artificial intelligence in higher education websites. Recorded live at the American Marketing Association (AMA) conference in Las Vegas, this conversation unpacks the evolving landscape of .edu websites, how AI is reshaping the us...

Did you miss the AI Engage Summit or want a second look? Watch every insightful discussion and discover strategies for transforming student engagement with AI.  In this episode of The Higher Ed Pulse , co-hosts Seth and Mallory explore the evolving dynamics of higher education as we approach the end of 2024. With insights from recent events like the AMA Conference and AI Engage Summit, Seth unpack...

In this episode from the AMA Higher Ed Conference, Carrie Phillips interviews Kin Sejpal, who shares innovative strategies for building a brand with limited resources in higher education. Kin, a featured presenter, discusses her unbundled, resourceful approach to brand building and explores how institutions can achieve impactful results by testing ideas and leveraging existing tools. This conversa...

Part 2: “A Long Way from Where We Need to Be”  Episode Description:  Only 12% of higher school graduating seniors are considered “proficient” in civics and political science Pluralism is not synchronism, and our educational systems need to lean into uncomfortable conversations Our work must turn to building knowledge around cultures and experiences of individuals Viewpoint neutrality versus viewpo...

In this live episode from the American Marketing Association (AMA) conference in Las Vegas, Mallory sits down with Christian Ponce, AVP for Marketing at Old Dominion University. They discuss the powerful intersection of AI and KPI development in higher education marketing. Christian shares how AI tools like Elephant AI streamline KPI generation, offering marketers valuable insights and efficiency....

In this special episode of the Higher Ed Pulse podcast series, recorded live at the American Marketing Association (AMA) conference, Mallory Willsea speaks with Dan Giroux, AVP of Advancement Communications & Stewardship at Drexel University. With a focus on personalized engagement, operational efficiency, and AI-powered predictive analytics, Dan shares insights on leveraging technology to enhance...

In this episode, live from the American Marketing Association (AMA) Symposium in Las Vegas, Mallory dives into the insights shared by AMA co-chairs Teresa Valerio-Parrot, Principal of TVP Communications, and Stephen Jendraszak, AVP for Marketing at Emory University. They discuss the record-breaking attendance, the importance of community, and how higher ed marketing has evolved over the years to m...

In this milestone 40th episode of The Higher Ed Pulse , hosts Mallory and Seth take a reflective turn as they explore why they, and so many others, choose to stay and work in the higher education space. The duo unpacks their personal motivations and the deeper sense of purpose tied to higher ed’s mission. The episode covers personal experiences, family legacies, and the sense of impact they’ve fou...

Part 1 - “Harm is about people” Welcome to Reclaiming Free Speech, Democracy, and Discourse on Campus a Post Election America. I’m Dr. J. Cody Nielsen . No matter the outcome, the 2024 election will set the stage for the next decade of higher education. In this Pulse Check series I’ll interview policy makers and practitioners to discuss their outlook on higher education, the ways in which we might...

Seth Odell and Mallory dive into a timely and thought-provoking discussion on building resilience as leaders in uncertain times. With Seth unable to attend the AMA conference due to family commitments, the conversation centers around navigating challenges, managing stress, and fostering resilience both personally and within teams. They explore the importance of self-awareness, prioritization, and...

Part 3: Do 9th Graders Care About College Yet? In this episode of the High School to Higher Ed podcast, hosts Kevin and Emma Cavanagh explore the perspectives of ninth graders regarding college. They discuss the relevance of college messaging, the characteristics that matter to students, and how colleges can improve their communication strategies. Emma shares her thoughts on what colleges should f...

In this episode of The Higher Ed Pulse , hosts Seth and Mallory discuss the transformative role of AI in student recruitment and higher education. As the potential for AI continues to evolve, the duo explores the current state of AI in universities, sharing insights on personalization, staff efficiency, and the future of AI-driven communication. They touch on the challenges faced by institutions,...

In this episode, Kevin and Emma discuss the effectiveness of college marketing strategies from the perspective of a ninth grader. Emma shares her experiences with college communications, including mail and emails, and analyzes what works and what doesn't. They explore the reasons behind early outreach from colleges, the importance of engaging messaging, and the role of social media in shaping perc...

In this episode of The Higher Ed Pulse , hosts Seth and Mallory dive into the world of “Sprint Campaigns” in higher education marketing. Seth shares insights on how these fast-tracked, zero-budget campaigns are transforming marketing efforts at colleges and universities. By repurposing existing assets and using innovative strategies, institutions can improve performance in just 60 to 120 days with...

High School to Higher Ed: A Father/Daughter Perspective - Part 1: First Impressions Matter: How 9th Graders View College In this debut episode of our new pulse check series 'High School to Higher Ed: A Father/Daughter Perspective', hosts Emma and Kevin Cavanagh explore the college admissions process from a ninth grader's perspective. They discuss the early outreach from colleges, the influence of...

In this episode of The Higher Ed Pulse , co-hosts Seth and Mallory share their expert travel tips, just in time for the AMA Higher Ed Conference in Las Vegas. From where to eat, to how to maximize your hotel stay, they cover all the essentials for making your trip a success. The hosts also discuss the benefits of using AI-powered tools like ChatGPT for travel planning, while teasing an exciting up...

Heather Daniels, Executive Director of Admission at Colorado State, shares insights on how CSU has revolutionized its student search approach. By leveraging data analytics and strategic adjustments, the institution has effectively maximized resources and focused on building a strong inquiry pool that has led toward stronger enrollment. This episode explores the importance of questioning traditiona...

Register for Element Discovery Webinar Learn more about AI-Generative Site Search Hosts Mallory and Seth dive into the future of higher education website design, focusing on AI-powered site search as a game changer for recruitment. They discuss the evolution of user behavior in search and how institutions can harness AI to provide a more engaging, personalized experience for prospective students....

In this episode, Mallory Willsea speaks with Joshua Charles, Director of Web Strategy and Technology at Rutgers Business School, live from HighEdWeb. They discuss Joshua's session on advancing into senior leadership roles in higher ed, focusing on practical steps for career growth, team advancement, and personal development. If you're an aspiring leader looking for actionable strategies to take yo...