Welcome to our first Pulse Check of 2026. In this Part 1, Carrie Phillips sits down with Brian Berry, Vice Provost of Research and Dean of the Graduate School at UA Little Rock. Brian also chairs the university’s AI Council, where he's helping build responsible frameworks for AI governance, policy, and adoption. This isn’t a theoretical conversation—it’s a transparent and practical look at how institutions can integrate AI without losing their soul. From the risks to the opportunities, this episode is a must-listen for anyone shaping the future of AI in higher education.

Mallory sits down with Dan Sanchez—creator, storyteller, and founder of the AI-Driven Marketer—to explore the limits of AI in higher education. As we step into 2026, this conversation is a timely gut-check on what artificial intelligence can’t do for enrollment leaders. From human judgment to authentic storytelling and culture-building, Mallory and Dan make the case that AI is a powerful tool, but it won’t replace the human element that builds trust, authority, and belonging on campus.

In the final 2025 episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea curates the most impactful AI-focused conversations of the year, featuring expert voices like Soup Campbell, Jeremy Tiers, Jason Smith, Mike Bell, Marina Cooper, and John Carrere. This mashup episode explores how AI reshaped the student journey, enrollment strategies, and campus operations. More than a tech trend, AI became a spotlight—revealing the cracks, contradictions, and opportunities institutions can no longer afford to ignore.

Mallory Willsea sits down with David Weil, SVP for Strategic Services and CIO at Ithaca College, to unpack a bold thesis from his recent EDUCAUSE article. The two dive deep into how AI’s most transformative potential in higher education isn’t found in flashy tools or automations — it’s in building a longitudinal view of the student experience. From data ethics and institutional silos to retention strategies and responsible design, this conversation challenges the status quo and outlines a human-first path forward for AI in higher ed.

We’re closing out the 2025 Enrollify Hall of Fame series with a powerful and personal voice — Harrison Campbell, better known as Soup. A former dean of admissions, current VP of Campus Partnerships at Ardeo Education Solutions, and a parent who recently experienced the college search from the other side, Soup brings a rare blend of professional insight and personal empathy to the table. Across his appearances on Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager and Higher Ed Pulse, Soup has challenged the higher ed community to reexamine how we communicate with students and families — not just what we say, but how it feels to be on the receiving end. His message is the perfect way to end this year’s Hall of Fame series: technology should build trust, not walls — and student support starts with understanding the full human experience.

In Part 3 of this Pulse Check series, host Jake Tolman reveals the real prep work for effective project managment — the parts that never make it into the sales deck. You’ll learn how to identify your project manager, early risks to watch for, and effective change models to guide your people. You’ll walk away knowing exactly what to look for in an effective project leader, what to prepare them for, and whether you need expert guidance to get there.

For our next inductee to the Enrollify Hall of Fame, we're celebrating the game-changing contributions of John Azoni, founder and executive producer at UNVEILD — a creative studio on a mission to help colleges and universities tell better stories through repeatable, student-centered video content. Across episodes of Talking Tactics, Mission Admissions, and Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO, John has consistently challenged institutions to think beyond one-off glossy video productions. His vision? A smarter, scalable system that helps enrollment and marketing teams meet Gen Z where they are — with authenticity, consistency, and strategy. In this special episode, we’ve compiled some of John’s most impactful clips across the Enrollify Podcast Network — a masterclass in both the craft and the strategy of video in higher ed.

Today we spotlight Marina Cooper, Senior Associate Vice President for Integrated Marketing and Brand at Johns Hopkins University. Known for her strategic boldness and deep empathy, Marina shares insights on navigating AI in higher ed marketing, overcoming imposter syndrome, and leading with intentionality. From dynamic creative optimization to building supportive professional networks, this episode offers a masterclass in modern leadership for higher ed marketers. Tune in to discover how Marina blends curiosity with discipline and innovation with integrity.

In Part 2 of this Pulse Check series, Jake Tolman sits down with Kirsten Gallagher, founder of Kaizen Ninja and a process improvement expert, to explore how AI can be a powerful tool for refining operations and driving better student outcomes in higher ed. This episode dives deep into the messy middle of project implementation—where systems break down and process gaps become most apparent—and explores how AI can help campuses spot inefficiencies, adapt quickly, and scale with confidence. Whether you’re mapping out admissions workflows or figuring out how to better serve military students, this is a must-listen for higher ed PMs and campus leaders alike.

Meet the next inductee into Enrollify’s Hall of Fame: Sarah Russell, Vice President of Marketing at Education Dynamics. In this special edition episode, host Mallory Willsea explores Sarah’s most compelling insights pulled from her appearances on Higher Ed Pulse, EduData, and The Application. With 16+ years at the intersection of digital disruption and higher ed, Sarah dives deep into how AI is rewriting the rules of SEO, brand marketing, and enrollment strategy. This highlight-packed episode is essential listening for anyone navigating the messy middle of the student journey in 2025.

Mallory sits down with one of the youngest AI creators to grace the show—eight-year-old Cora Budd, a third grader at Division Street Elementary. Together, they explore how Gen Alpha is already using AI not just for learning, but for bold, imaginative storytelling. From building entire fictional universes to designing merch and comics, Cora shows how her generation is blending creativity and technology in remarkable ways. This episode offers a glimpse into the future of AI in education, through the lens of a curious, confident third grader.

Welcome back to the Enrollify Hall of Fame series, where we spotlight some of the most compelling voices and visionary thinkers in higher education marketing and enrollment. Today, we're featuring Carrie Pitts-Densmore, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Johnston Community College. Carrie’s fearless leadership style, her candor around AI and culture shifts, and her relentless focus on student-centered strategy make her a standout across multiple shows on the Enrollify Network. If you're grappling with how to implement tech, lead with equity, or build empowered teams, this Hall of Fame episode is a masterclass you won't want to miss.

Jake Tolman, CEO of MainForm Consulting, kicks off a four-part pulse check series from Enrollify with guest John Connolly of PMO Delivery Partners. Together, they explore how the traditional Project Management Office (PMO) in higher education is evolving amidst digital transformation and the rise of AI. With deep insights on project governance, organizational learning, and AI's growing role in project management, this episode sets the stage for how institutions can future-proof their project work and governance models.

Welcome to Enrollify’s 2026 Hall of Fame series, where we resurface the most transformative conversations ever featured across the Enrollify Podcast Network. We’re kicking things off with none other than Faton Sopa, Co-Founder and CEO of Manaferra, whose groundbreaking insights have reshaped how enrollment marketers think about the college decision journey. In this highlight reel episode, pulled from his appearances on The Application with Allison Turcio, AI for You, Higher Ed Pulse, and Higher Ed Geek, Faton shares the game-changing role Reddit, TikTok, and AI now play in how students search, validate, and choose a college.

Mallory Willsea brings the Enrollify panel back together for a no-holds-barred reunion following their viral AMA session. Featuring Enrollify creator trio Jaime Hunt, Safaniya Stevenson, and Carrie Phillips, this episode revisits the spicy, unfiltered energy that turned heads at the 2025 AMA Symposium. From roasting overused marketing jargon to unpacking the real implications of AI hallucinations in fundraising campaigns, this conversation offers a pulse check on where higher ed marketing stands—and where it's headed.

Broadway has found its Gen Z audience — by telling Gen Z stories In this energizing episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory dives into the world of Broadway with creative strategist Toni Marie Pirelli, exploring how higher ed can learn from the theater district’s masterful storytelling. Drawing inspiration from the cultural resurgence of Wicked, Sesame Street, and even Duolingo, the episode uncovers how colleges can deliver educational content that actually connects with Gen Z. From TikToks to Career-Chela festivals, this episode is a masterclass in edutainment with intention.

In this episode of First Movers, a pulse check series brought to you by Enrollify and Everspring, we explore how DePaul University's Driehaus College of Business is pioneering the integration of AI across its curriculum. Host Rhea Vitalis is joined by James Moore, Director of Online Learning, and Jim Mourey, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, along with Andrea Gilbert of Everspring, to unpack how DePaul is transforming both business education and student discovery through intentional AI adoption. From curriculum design to marketing strategy, the episode offers a front-row seat to how one institution is closing the AI skills gap—and what others can learn from their bold approach.

In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea sits down with two-time Red Stapler winner Melanie Lindahl, Senior UX and Web Designer at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. Together, they unpack why so many college websites fail usability tests — and what higher ed marketers can do about it. Melanie reveals her four-part user testing framework and explains why even beautifully designed sites often miss the mark for real users. From spicy clicks to system flaws, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to build student-first digital experiences.