Podcast
Higher Ed Pulse
Hosted by Mallory Willsea · EN
Higher Ed Pulse is your weekly no-fluff guide to AI in higher ed. Higher ed leaders are expected to master AI overnight. But let’s be real — no one has time to sift through every headline, hot take, or research report.
That’s why every Monday, we break down what actually matters — fast, clear, and to the point.
Want to sound like the smartest person in the room? You’re in the right place.
Higher Ed Pulse is hosted by Mallory Willsea and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.
36episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Pulse Check: High School to Higher Ed III (2026) — Part 4
1w ago00:28:05Tap to summarize- - - - 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Transcribe →What Higher Ed Is Actually Hiring For
2w ago00:30:53Tap to summarizeMallory sits down with Meredith Rosenberg, co-founder and partner at NU Advisory Partners, to unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes in higher education leadership hiring. Drawing from her vantage point at the intersection of higher ed and edtech, Meredith reveals how institutions are approaching executive search—and where they’re getting it wrong. The conversation explores leadership turnover, hiring mismatches, and the growing influence of AI in higher education leadership decisions. If you’re thinking about your next career move or refining your enrollment marketing strategy, this episode offers a rare inside look. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout 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 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.
Transcribe →Pulse Check: High School to Higher Ed III (2026) — Part 3
2w ago00:30:34Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we’re taking a field trip into New York City for a sugar rush and some serious higher-ed talk. We recap our night at the 92nd Street Y, where legendary anchor David Muir interviewed higher-ed expert Jeff Selingo about his new book, Dream School. We dive into the surprising college connection between these two media icons (hint: it all started in a dorm room at Ithaca!) and tackle the "Brand Name Trap"—the immense pressure students feel to chase elite rankings over a "perfect fit." From Emma’s bold move to recruit celebrity guests to some serious confusion over marshmallow-topped hot chocolate at Glacé, this episode is the perfect mix of professional insight and father-daughter banter. Whether you’re eyeing the Ivies or looking for a hidden gem, join us as we redefine what a "wonderful school" really looks like. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout 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 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.
Transcribe →From Brand Standards to Brand Systems: Kettering’s GPT Playbook
3w ago00:32:26Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Higher Ed Pulse hosted by Mallory Willsea, the team from Kettering University shares how they transformed a custom GPT from a simple experiment into a trusted, embedded part of their marketing workflow. Featuring Jennifer Umberger (VP & CMO), Lee Madaus (Content & Communications), and Dottie Gouine (Digital Storytelling), the conversation dives into how disciplined processes—not just access to AI—drive real results. From brand alignment to team adoption, this episode explores how AI in higher education can power smarter, more consistent enrollment marketing. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout 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 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.
Transcribe →Pulse Check: High School to Higher Ed III (2026) — Part 2
3w ago00:34:39Tap to summarize- - - - 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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Transcribe →Rethinking the Curriculum for an AI-Shaped World
4w ago00:31:17Tap to summarizeMallory sits down with Rachel Bowser, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College at Agnes Scott College, to unpack one of the most ambitious examples of AI in higher education today. Rather than treating AI as a supplemental skill, Agnes Scott is embedding AI literacy into the core first-year experience for every student. The conversation explores what it means to redesign curriculum at scale and why institutions must rethink how they prepare students for an AI-shaped future. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout 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 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.
Transcribe →Pulse Check: High School to Higher Ed III (2026) — Part 1
Apr 1600:35:54Tap to summarizeWelcome back to a new addition of our pulse Check Series "High School to Higher Ed", which has returned for 2026. In today's Part 1, Emma shares her firsthand experience visiting six colleges in Boston, providing insights into campus visits, student interactions, and how these experiences influence college choices. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout 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 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.
Transcribe →How AI Change Actually Happens on Campus
Apr 1300:34:48Tap to summarizeMallory sits down with Dr. Nathan Pritts, Faculty Fellow for AI Strategy at the University of Arizona Global Campus, to unpack what real AI adoption looks like inside higher education. Moving beyond tools and policies, the conversation dives into the messy, human side of institutional change. Dr. Pritts shares how faculty-led experimentation, shared frameworks, and trust-building are essential to sustainable AI strategy. This episode is a must-listen for leaders navigating AI in higher education and evolving enrollment marketing and learning strategies. Related Links: How we think, how we teach: Five ways to think about AI in faculty work. Leading Through Disruption: Higher Education Executives Assess AI’s Impacts on Teaching and Learning2025 EDUCAUSE AI Landscape Study: Into the Digital AI Divide An AI-Driven Optimism for Transforming Higher Education (It's Not What You Think) Inside Higher Ed: Survey: Faculty Say AI Is Impactful—but Not In a Good Way. The Chronicle: Faculty are overwhelmed and conflicted by AI. Inside Higher Ed: Integrating AI Across the Liberal Arts Campus Technology,: Beyond the Hype: 5 Actionable Steps for Higher Ed to Master AI in 2026 - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout 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 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.
Transcribe →Pulse Check: Helping Adult Learners Find the Right Program with AI [Lightning Session]
Apr 900:14:53Tap to summarizeFor this week's Pulse Check, we revisit Devin Purgason's lightning session at the February Engage AI Summit, focused on adult learners. Devin, Vice President for Student Experience Marketing and Outreach at Forsyth Technical Community College, dives deep into how to connect with adult learners through AI-driven program recommendations and micro-pathways. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout 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 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.
Transcribe →The Higher Ed CMO Is Carrying a Broken System
Apr 600:37:46Tap to summarizeSimpsonScarborough’s Higher Ed CMO Study - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout 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 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.
Transcribe →