In Part 2 of this Pulse Check series, Scott Cline sits down with Emily Thayer Owens, a college access strategist, counselor, and AI ethics advocate. With nearly two decades of experience across admissions, policy, and student support, Emily shares a refreshingly grounded perspective on how AI is already transforming the college admissions landscape—and what higher ed leaders are completely missing in this moment. From digital divides to transparency gaps, this episode unpacks what it takes to build trust and adapt strategically in the age of intelligent agents.

Mallory Wilsey as she sits down with Fabrizio Vallejos for a special episode recorded live at the Prima Conference! Fabrizio shares his biggest takeaways from attending Prima, including the power of collaboration across higher ed institutions and the advantages of not reinventing the wheel. Hear his real-world story of how he quickly leveraged AI-powered tools inside Element451 to solve a critical compliance challenge—streamlining student form collection in record time.

In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea sits down with Mary Keister, Principal at Mary Keister Consulting and a seasoned strategic communications pro, to unpack one of higher ed’s most pressing issues: the rapidly declining public trust in the value of college. With Gallup and Lumina Foundation data showing alarming trends in student and family skepticism, this conversation dives into what's fueling the crisis—and what institutions can actually do about it. From missed messaging opportunities to long-overdue operational pivots, Mary and Mallory explore how to reframe the higher ed value proposition for today’s reality.

Welcome to the debut episode of this new pulse check series, AI Arms Race: Navigating Leadership in the Agentic Admissions AI Era, hosted by Scott Cline.

In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, hosts Mallory and Gil Rogers break down the real reason 95% of AI projects fail—and it’s not the tech. From underground AI usage to rising trust issues and executive scrambling for structure, this episode explores how leadership—not capability—is the biggest hurdle for AI adoption in higher education and beyond. Whether you're an institutional leader or front-line staffer experimenting with AI, this conversation offers timely insights on how to approach AI integration with intention, empathy, and strategy.

Welcome to the final installment of this Pulse Check series — Advancement Amplified: The IA MarCom Shift — Part 5: The 90-Day Blueprint. Dan Giroux teams up with higher ed marketing powerhouse Jaime Hunt—host of Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO and author of Heart Over Hype—for a co-led conversation that delivers big, bold ideas and actionable next steps. Together, they offer a compelling, cross-functional perspective on what it means to build future-ready advancement marketing and communications (MarCom) teams—and how to do it in just 90 days. If you're serious about integrated strategies, sustainable structures, and breaking down silos, this is the episode for you.

Mallory Willsea welcomes Fran Zablocki, Head of Strategy at Fastspot, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming workflows—not by replacing human expertise, but by enhancing it. Drawing on two decades of experience in digital strategy, Fran shares how tools like Perplexity, Notion, and Claude are being integrated into agency workflows and what higher ed leaders can learn from past waves of technological disruption. If you're curious about practical AI adoption in higher education, this episode delivers fresh perspective grounded in strategy.

Welcome to Part 4 of this Pulse Check series — "From Lessons to Action". Dan Giroux hits pause to distill key takeaways from the first three episodes and translate them into tangible actions for higher ed MarCom and advancement professionals. Whether you’re just tuning in or have been along for the ride, this episode offers a practical roadmap to help your team move from reactive order-takers to strategic partners in institutional advancement. Focused on real-world applications and actionable frameworks, this pulse-check episode lays the groundwork for sustainable, visible progress.

In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea sits down with Faton Sopa, Co-Founder and CEO of Manaferra, to unpack the most in-depth research yet on how students are searching for colleges in 2025. From the rise of platform switching to the impact of AI and peer-driven validation, Faton shares actionable insights into how student behavior is evolving—and how enrollment marketers must adapt their strategies to keep pace. If you’re still focused solely on winning the first click on Google, this episode will shift your perspective fast.

In Part 2 of this Pulse Check series, Dan Giroux sits down with Melissa Fincher and Shanna Hocking for a compelling look at how advancement marketing and communications teams can adapt to today's climate of fiscal uncertainty, evolving talent needs, and constant change. This episode dives deep into how higher ed leaders can rethink team structures, integrate AI responsibly, and develop talent that drives long-term value. Whether you're leading an advancement team or building one, this is a must-listen conversation for navigating the next era of higher education marketing.

On this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea sits down with Carol Keese, VP for Communications and Chief Marketing Officer at the University of Oregon, to explore what happens when fear—not clarity—drives AI strategy. This conversation dives deep into the dangers of AI copycat culture, the hype cycle gripping higher ed, and the critical importance of grounding decisions in institutional values. Tune in to learn why now is the time for thoughtful, strategic adoption—not reactive moves.

Dan Giroux sits down with higher ed marketing trailblazer Terry Flannery to explore how advancement marketing communications teams can break free from reactive, order-taking roles and step into their rightful place as strategic partners. With decades of experience leading marketing and communications at top universities and now as EVP and COO at CASE, Terry offers a 360-degree view on the myths, opportunities, and mindset shifts needed to maximize impact. From debunking the “press release as pizza order” mentality to cultivating trust with advancement leaders, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to elevate advancement MarCom strategy.

In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea sits down with Carrie Pitts-Densmore, VP of Enrollment and Marketing at Johnston Community College, to unpack the quiet chaos unfolding in higher ed teams. This timely discussion explores why proactive employees are losing patience, how AI inequity is disproportionately affecting women, and what institutional leaders must do now to retain top talent. If you’re not thinking of AI strategy as a retention strategy, you’re already behind.

In the final part of this Pulse Check series, Dave sits down with Anne Murphy, founder of SheLeadsAI and Empowered Fundraising Consulting, to explore the intersection of gender, leadership, and AI. Anne shares how a personal health crisis and a chance encounter with ChatGPT reshaped her professional life and ignited a movement to ensure women — particularly Gen X women — play a central role in the AI revolution. Tune in for a conversation packed with truth bombs, real-world insights, and inspiring takeaways for anyone navigating AI in higher education and beyond.

Mallory Willsea sits down with Mike Bell, Chief Marketing Officer at Everspring, to explore the disruptive impact of AI search tools on college discovery and decision-making. Drawing from Everspring's just-released 2025 AI Search Trends report, they unpack how platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity are reshaping the higher education marketing funnel. With over 450,000 student interactions analyzed, the data reveals a major shift in student behavior—and a warning for marketers who aren’t ready. If you're a higher ed CMO wondering where your institution stands in AI-generated search results, this episode is your wake-up call.

In Part 3 of this Pulse Check series, Dave Hunt sits down with Maya Georgieva, Founding Senior Director of the Innovation Center and the XR, AI, and Quantum Labs at Parsons School of Design at The New School. Maya unpacks what it means to be a “narrative futurist” and explores how creative professionals can meaningfully engage with frontier technologies like spatial computing, generative AI, and quantum systems. The conversation dives deep into authorship, ethics, immersive storytelling, and how to maintain the human voice in an increasingly automated world.

In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea is joined by David Weil, Senior Vice President and CIO at Ithaca College, for a conversation about one of the most urgent issues in higher education today: the disappearance of entry-level jobs due to AI automation. They explore how institutions can evolve curricula, redefine readiness, and support students in launching careers in a workforce being rapidly reshaped by artificial intelligence. This episode offers timely insights into AI literacy, human-centered skills development, and the future of work.

In Part 3 of this Pulse Check series, Dave Hunt sits down with Lori Mazor—architect turned author, innovator, and CEO of Synthetivity—to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping creativity. Lori, author of TEMPERATURE, Creativity, and the Age of AI, breaks down how thinking differently about creativity, control, and collaboration with AI can lead to more human-centered, purpose-driven innovation. Whether you're a skeptic or an AI evangelist, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and reframe your role in a future shaped by intelligent tools. Perfect for creative professionals, higher ed leaders, and AI-curious marketers, this episode highlights how AI can be a partner in expanding—not replacing—our humanity.