Higher Ed Pulse – Details, episodes & analysis

In this special episode recorded live at Live at HashtagHigherEd 2024, guest host Carrie Phillips is joined by Dr. Blake Bedsole to discuss the looming enrollment cliff and how institutions can adapt. Together, they explore leadership approaches to build the next generation of leaders to navigate the cliff and how to build campus collaboration to overcome this challenge. 

Guest Name: Dr. Blake Bedsole, VP of Enrollment Management, Troy University

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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 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

Seth and Mallory reflect on the career-defining moments that have shaped their journeys. From Seth’s unexpected leap into TV production to Mallory’s early adoption of social media strategy, they share the pivotal decisions and lucky breaks that have driven their professional growth. Listen in for candid stories and valuable lessons on how to recognize and seize opportunities that could transform your career.

• Hard Work Pays Off: Seth's first career-defining moment highlights the value of work ethic over initial skill. Sometimes, showing up and taking on what others won't can lead to big opportunities.
• Make Your Own Luck: Mallory turned an early opportunity in social media into a career shift by proactively presenting her vision to leadership. Creating your own luck is about recognizing potential and acting on it.
• Build Your Own Platform: Seth's creation of Higher Ed Live was driven by a desire to demonstrate competence and connect with industry leaders. Building your own platform can open doors to new opportunities and lasting relationships.
• Leverage Educational Credentials: Mallory's strategic pursuit of a master's degree helped her transition into higher-level roles with increased responsibilities and compensation. It's about aligning education with long-term career goals.
• Say Yes to New Challenges: Seth's decision to pitch against an external agency led to the creation of SNHU’s in-house agency and long-lasting career impact. Don’t hesitate to take on challenges outside your comfort zone.
• Take the Leap: Seth’s decision to launch Kanahoma in the midst of uncertainty demonstrates the importance of following your passion and trusting your ability to build something meaningful.

Get your Leadership Handbook.

Become the leader you aspire to be! Sign up for Enrollify’s Lessons in Leadership course today.

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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 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

In this debut episode of our new Pulse Check on seeking purpose in the world of Higher Ed, guest Carrie Phillips joins guest host Kin Sejpal to discuss her purpose as higher ed leader, and what keeps her - and her team - going. 

Insightful takeaways include:

• Personal and professional experiences can shape one’s purpose.
• Making space in the day-to-day grind to soak in the environment can be invigorating. 
• Regularly centering conversations around institutional mission can help teams stay focused and motivated.
• Integrating students as student workers, focus group members, and/or ambassadors can keep MarComm close to the student experience.
• MarComm can add value by breaking silos and connecting the whole student experience, thus contributing to student success and institutional mission. 

Guest Name: Dr. Carrie Phillips

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

Connect with Guest Host Kin Sejpal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kinsejpal/

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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 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

Eric is a growth marketing executive with experience bringing several technology companies from launch to successful acquisition, ​through brand building, performance marketing, and high-touch customer engagement strategies. Eric currently serves as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Fusion Academy, building the world's most personalized schools.

 In this episode of The Enrollify Podcast,  Eric and Zach discuss marketing leadership lessons that Eric has learned having worked in K-12, B2B, and Higher Education marketing contexts over the last 15 years.

You can connect with Eric on LinkedIn here.

About The Enrollify Podcast Network 

The Enrollify Podcast is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam-packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. 

Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Jaime Hunt, Allison Turcio, Dayana Kibilds, Dustin Ramsdell, Terry Flannery, Mallory Willsea, and many more. 

Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!

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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 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

In this episode of The Enrollify Podcast, Zach Busekrus sits down with  Joseph Master and Jamie Ceman  (AMA Higher Ed's Marketer of the Year) from RW Jones Agency for a discussion on the future of branding in higher education. This episode was live recorded at the 2023 AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education in Chicago, Illinois. 

About The Enrollify Podcast Network 

The Enrollify Podcast is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam-packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. 

Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Jaime Hunt, Allison Turcio, Dayana Kibilds, Dustin Ramsdell, Terry Flannery, Mallory Willsea, and many more. 

Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!

- - - -

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

In this episode of The Enrollify Podcast, Zach Busekrus is joined by Devin Purgason, Executive Director of  Marketing at Forsyth Technical Community College, for a discussion on leveraging Generative AI tools to work smarter and not harder. This episode was live recorded at the 2023 AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education.

About the Enrollify Podcast Network 

The Enrollify Podcast is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam-packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. 

Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Jaime Hunt, Allison Turcio, Dayana Kibilds, Dustin Ramsdell, Terry Flannery, Mallory Willsea, and many more. 

Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!

- - - -

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

In this episode of The Enrollify Podcast, Zach Busekrus is joined by Katlin Swisher from Campus Sonar and Lisa Baer from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, for a discussion on the importance of social listening in higher education. This episode was live recorded at the 2023 AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education.

About the Enrollify Podcast Network 

The Enrollify Podcast is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam-packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. 

Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Jaime Hunt, Allison Turcio, Dayana Kibilds, Dustin Ramsdell, Terry Flannery, Mallory Willsea, and many more. 

Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours! 

- - - -

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

In this episode of The Enrollify Podcast, Zach sits down with  Shamell Forbes, Campus Partner Associate at Campus Sonar, whose unconventional journey into higher education sales is as inspiring as it is insightful. Shamell candidly shares his transition from social services to higher ed, driven by a combination of necessity and a passion for change. His story is a vivid illustration of adaptability and the pursuit of new opportunities, resonating deeply with themes of innovation and personal growth.

As we delve deeper, Shamell opens up about his initial encounters with the complex world of higher education, shedding light on the nuanced dynamics of sales in this unique sector. His approach blends humor and authenticity, revealing how genuine connections and social media savvy can transform professional relationships and drive success.

Listeners will be particularly intrigued by Shamell's experiences with Unibuddy, a UK-based company venturing into the US market. His perspectives offer a rare glimpse into the contrasts and challenges of navigating different educational landscapes, highlighting the importance of flexibility and strategic thinking.

Throughout the episode, Shamell's enthusiasm for higher education shines through. He passionately discusses the potential for innovation within the sector, advocating for a more entrepreneurial mindset among professionals. His journey is not just a story of career transition but a testament to the transformative power of embracing new challenges and redefining success in the evolving landscape of higher education.

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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 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

In this episode of The Enrollify Podcast, Zach sits down with Bart Caylor, Founder of Caylor Solutions — an education marketing agency in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Bart is one of the most respected and consistent voices in the higher education marketing and enrollment management circles.  In this episode, Zach and Bart discuss the importance of AI literacy in higher education and how marketers and admissions professionals can leverage generative AI tools to attract the next generations of students more efficiently and effectively. 

To learn more about Bart’s work, be sure to check out Caylor Solutions.  And, if you’re not already subscribed, have a listen to his weekly podcast, The Higher Ed Marketer, wherever you get your podcasts. 

About the Enrollify Podcast Network 

The Enrollify Podcast is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam-packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. 

Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Jaime Hunt, Allison Turcio, Corynn Myers, Dustin Ramsdell, Terry Flannery, Jaime Gleason and many more. 

Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours! 

- - - -

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

In this episode, Zach is joined by Ardis Kadiu, Founder and CEO of Element451 for a conversation on the most important takeaways for higher education marketers and admissions professionals from OpenAI's first-ever DevDay.  

Coming to AMA in Chicago next week?  We're hosting a happy hour and would love to see you there! 

About the Enrollify Podcast Network 

The Enrollify Podcast is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam-packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. 

Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Jaime Hunt, Allison Turcio, Corynn Myers, Dustin Ramsdell, Terry Flannery, Jaime Gleason and many more. 

Learn more aboutThe Enrollify Podcast Networkat podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours! 

- - - -

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