Higher Ed Pulse

Mallory speaks with Amber Kennedy, Executive Director for Content & Strategy at William & Mary, about the gap in college communications with parents post-enrollment. While institutions heavily court parents during recruitment, communications often fragment once students enroll. The discussion covers how modern digital expectations, safety alerts, and commencement messaging highlight the need for cohesive parent communication strategies that balance student independence with family inclusion.

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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 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.

Welcome to the debut episode of this new Pulse Check series, The Alignment Gap: Beyond The Org Chart.

This is Part 1: Why Culture, Not Structure, Is The Real Operating System. Host Jenny Petty is joined by Dr. Marcus Collins, Michigan Ross professor and author of For the Culture and the upcoming Good Soil.

We open the series with a history lesson that reframes everything: the org chart wasn't born in a boardroom. It was invented after a 1940s train collision in Massachusetts, drawn to fix a communication breakdown between crews sharing the same track — and it looked nothing like the pyramid we use today. It was a tree, built bottom-up from the people doing the work. Somewhere along the way we inverted it, and now we default to structure first, hoping strategy falls out of it — backwards from what the research actually tells us: structure should follow strategy, not stand in for it.

From there, Dr. Collins takes the conversation somewhere more interesting than reporting lines. Using the language of theater — "front stage" and "backstage" — he makes the case that culture is the real operating system underneath any org chart, and that misalignment happens the moment what an institution says (front stage) outpaces what it actually practices (backstage). We talk about what it looks like when that gap closes almost entirely, what belief has to do with segmentation and brand strength, and why a CMO with no authority over HR, budget, or academic affairs isn't powerless — because leadership, done right, is influence without authority. It's a conversation that starts with a train wreck and ends with a working definition of what alignment actually requires: shared belief, demonstrated consistently, from the top down.

What we cover:

• The real origin of the org chart — and how a communication fix became a symbol of control
• "Structure follows strategy": why most institutions do it in reverse
• Front stage vs. backstage: how culture becomes the tell when belief and behavior don't match
• Belief as the actual unit of alignment — and why segmentation, brand strength, and trust all trace back to it
• Leading without authority: why a CMO's job is influence and inspiration, not control

Purchase Dr. Marcus Collins’ new book, Good Soil here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/marcus-collins/good-soil/9781668662199/

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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 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.

Mallory is joined by Perry Rockwood, Social Media Manager at BYU-Idaho, to explore how his team uses weekly engagement data like saves and shares to shape content strategy. Perry shares insights on shifting away from shallow metrics, making tough decisions to cut low-performing faculty series, and leveraging student-generated TikTok content to build trust and authenticity.

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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 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.

Pulse Check: What Do We Really Need? — Pt 5: We Need to Be Bolder

“We need to be bolder” can mean something different to everyone reviewing a higher education marketing campaign. Before a team can act on that feedback, it needs to understand what the institution wants to change and what it is prepared to stand behind.
In the final episode of What Do We Really Need?, Ologie Marketing Director Erin Fields talks with Doug Edwards, Ologie’s Chief Strategy Officer, about turning that request into useful direction. Doug explains how the conversation changes depending on whether an institution is tired of its current messaging, has outgrown its brand, or needs to respond to a changing market.

Erin and Doug explore why a familiar story may still be taking root with audiences even as the marketing team grows bored with it. They also discuss the tension between competing institutional priorities and how finding their overlap can lead to stronger creative work. Through Ologie’s work with the University of Maryland’s Forward fundraising campaign, they consider how an institution can build on existing pride while giving donors a clear reason to invest in what comes next.
The conversation closes with specificity and accountability. A concrete promise gives people something they can understand, experience, and evaluate. Doug offers a useful starting point for bolder work: make the institution’s ambitions clear, show the evidence behind them, and connect their impact to everyday life.

Guest Name: Doug Edwards, Chief Strategy Officer at Ologie

Guest Social: Doug’s LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Doug Edwards is Chief Strategy Officer at Ologie, where he helps colleges and universities clarify what they want to be known for and bring that direction into their marketing. With a background in visual communication design, he approaches strategy through curiosity, research, and creative problem-solving. His work connects institutional ambitions with the stories and experiences that make them meaningful to audiences, including Ologie’s work on the University of Maryland’s Forward fundraising campaign.

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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 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.

Mallory speaks with Anna Mottice, Director for Advancement Operations and Strategic Engagement at Antioch University, to explore the key insights Anna learned from overhauling alumni engagement at OHSU Foundation, including applying hospitality principles and experience design inspired by theater and consumer brands. She discusses navigating resistance from legacy donors, phasing major programmatic changes over three years, and redefining success around metrics like pride and joy. Tune in to discover how starting small with intentional touchpoints creates momentum for lasting institutional change.

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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 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.

Pulse Check: What Do We Really Need? — Pt 3: We Need to Make This More Fun

“We need to make this more fun” is familiar feedback in higher education marketing. The information is there, but something still feels missing. How do you figure out what would make a prospective student want to spend time with it?

In episode four of What Do We Really Need?, Ologie Marketing Director Erin Fields talks with Nathan Thornton, Ologie’s Senior Vice President of Creative, about making marketing more engaging. Nathan also designs board games, where people can walk away the moment they stop enjoying themselves. He shares how that experience shapes his approach to earning attention and giving students a reason to take the next step.

Erin and Nathan explore how to turn “make it more fun” into useful creative direction by asking whether the work is clear, distinct, and interesting. They discuss why a single recruitment piece shouldn’t carry the entire enrollment decision, how conversational language brings humanity into an institution’s brand, and why a specific student story can resonate beyond someone’s major.

The conversation closes with a prospective student weighing two colleges and asking one unexpected question: does the dining hall have a soft serve ice cream machine? For enrollment and brand marketers, it’s a reminder to pay attention to the everyday details that help students picture their lives on campus.

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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 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.

Register for the AI Engage Summit this October

Mallory chats with Nick DeNardis, Senior Director of Digital Experience and Innovation at Wayne State University, about how AI-driven search traffic behaves differently on higher education websites. They examine real university data showing that visitors arriving via AI assistants engage deeper, move faster to conversion steps, and heavily rely on data-rich pages like the university bulletin. Tune in to learn why institutions must rethink digital strategy, optimize comprehensive single-page content, and prepare web properties for both human visitors and automated AI agents.

Related Links:
Everspring, 2025 AI Search Trends Report
AI Referral Traffic vs Organic Search: Conversion Rates and Performance Compared
2026 AI Search Traffic Report: ChatGPT's Grip Slipped, Claude & Gemini Are Surging
AI Traffic Conversion Benchmarks: Why AI Visitors Are 4-6x More Valuable Than Organic
AI Referral Traffic Stats 2026
The State of AI Search in 2026: 150+ Statistics

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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 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.

Pulse Check: What Do We Really Need? — Pt 3: We Need More Student Stories

“We need more student stories” can sound like a request for more content. But when colleges keep featuring the students who are easiest to find and most comfortable speaking on camera, publishing more stories may still leave prospective students with a limited picture of campus life.

In the third episode of What Do We Really Need?, Ologie Marketing Director Erin Fields talks with Chevonne Harris, Ologie’s Vice President of Strategy and the founder and CEO of ThriveIn, about how institutions decide whose experiences to share. Drawing on her background in journalism and her work building a community for Black Gen Z and millennial women, Chevonne asks what colleges hope their student stories will accomplish and whether the stories they choose reflect what students actually experience.

The conversation looks at the difference between showing a range of students and helping prospective students understand what belonging feels like. Erin and Chevonne discuss why institutions often return to engaged students and ambassadors, how a difficult day can reveal the support available on campus, and what happens when a polished story promises a community a student does not find after enrolling. They also consider how much control marketers need to give up for students to tell their stories in their own words. One story can bring an institution’s values to life, but it cannot make up for a gap between those values and students’ lived experiences.

For higher education marketers, the episode offers a place to start before requesting another interview or photo shoot. Clarify the question the story needs to answer, look beyond the students everyone already knows, and spend time listening to the people on campus. The fuller picture may come from a student whose story the team would not have thought to seek out.

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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 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.

Mallory speaks with Zach Hosseini, Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President for University Relations at Pace University, about navigating public mistrust in higher education. Despite declining national confidence in the sector, Zach explains why Pace is boldly launching a new brand during "Awesome October". They discuss strategies for breaking out of higher ed's "doom loop," embracing industry disruption, and supporting rising leadership. Finally, Zach previews his programming for the Senior Leader Experience at the upcoming AMA Higher Ed Symposium.

Related Links:
Register for the AI Engage Summit this OctoberThe College Reality Check: What Students Experience vs. What America BelievesFaith in Higher Ed Slips: 38% of Adults Report High Confidence2026 Survey of College and University PresidentsPresidents Puzzled on Rebuilding Public Trust in Higher Ed2026 Edelman Trust BarometerThe CUPA-HR 2025 Higher Education Employee Retention Survey

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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 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.

What Do We Really Need? Part 2: We Need Better Leads

We need better leads sounds like a diagnosis. In higher education enrollment marketing, it can also become the easiest explanation when applications, deposits, yield, or student fit are not where an institution needs them to be. The real issue may be hiding somewhere else in the prospective student journey.

In the second episode of What Do We Really Need, Ologie Marketing Director Erin Fields talks with Jen Johnson, Ologie's Chief Client Officer, about how colleges and universities can determine whether they have a lead-generation problem or a broader enrollment funnel problem. Drawing on Jen's experience leading both enrollment management and marketing at Queens University of Charlotte, they discuss the pressure enrollment teams face when a class is not coming together and why that pressure can quickly turn into finger-pointing between marketing and admissions.

The conversation looks at the factors that shape lead quality and conversion, including market demand, brand positioning, clear program messaging, CRM strategy, lead nurturing, competition, affordability, and coordination across the institution. Erin and Jen also explore why a campus visit remains one of the strongest signs of student interest and how a personal interaction with an admissions professional can accomplish something a merge tag cannot.

For higher education marketing and enrollment leaders, the episode offers a more useful starting point than simply asking for more names at the top of the funnel. Examine the full student journey, focus on the parts the institution can control, and give marketing and enrollment a shared understanding of the brand, audience, and experience they are responsible for building together.

Ologie is a brand and marketing agency for colleges, universities, and mission-driven organizations. Services include: brand strategy, enrollment marketing, advancement and fundraising, higher-ed web.

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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 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.

Register for the AI Engage Summit

Mallory sits down with Granit Doshlaku, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Manaferra, to discuss the findings from Manifera's AI Index, which analyzed 200,000 prompts to reveal how AI search engines recommend institutions. Granit explores the role of domain authority, Reddit, and third-party mentions in shaping AI-generated answers, emphasizing that solid SEO fundamentals and off-site brand presence remain crucial for institutional visibility in AI search.

Related Links:
Manaferra’s AI Index
http://highereducationmarketing.com

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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 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.

“We need this to go viral” sounds like a clear request. In higher education marketing, though, it can point to several very different goals. Does the institution need greater brand awareness? More engagement from prospective students? More qualified leads? A newsworthy moment? Or does someone simply want to see a bigger number on the social media report?

In the first episode of What Do We Really Need?, Ologie Marketing Director Erin Fields talks with Alicia Camden, Ologie’s Associate Vice President of Digital Creative, about what leaders are really asking for when they want a piece of content to go viral. Drawing from Alicia’s experience leading organic social strategy and developing new content formats, they examine what virality can accomplish, what it cannot guarantee, and why reaching millions of people means very little if those people have no context for the brand.

They also look at the work hidden behind a breakout post. The content itself may take 20 minutes to create, but the conditions that make it successful can take years to build. That includes a clearly defined brand, a distinct voice, a deep understanding of the audience, trust in creative talent, room to experiment, and a social media strategy connected to the institution’s larger enrollment and marketing goals.

For higher ed marketers and social media professionals, the episode offers a practical way to respond when “make it go viral” lands on their desk. Erin and Alicia discuss how to uncover the real objective, ask questions without sounding resistant, and help leaders define what success should look like before anyone starts creating. Alicia also shares an important reminder for early-career marketers: being closer to the platforms, audiences, and daily work gives you expertise worth bringing into the conversation.

Ologie is a brand and marketing agency for colleges, universities, and mission-driven organizations. Services include: brand strategy, enrollment marketing, advancement and fundraising, higher-ed web

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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 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.

Mallory welcomes back Jenny Petty, Vice President Industry Relations and Advisory Services SimpsonScarborough, and Marina Cooper, Head of Brand and Marketing at The Johns Hopkins University, to introduce the Next Leader Experience (NLE) program at the upcoming AMA conference in Denver. Designed for rising higher education marketing leaders, NLE bridges critical skill gaps in leadership, financial acumen, cabinet dynamics, strategic planning, and team management.

Related Links:
2026 AMA Next Leader Experience
Spencer Stuart's 2025 CMO Tenure Study
The Conference Board's CMO+CCO Meter - June 2025
SimpsonScarborough's 2025-26 CMO Study

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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 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.

In the final part of this Pulse Check series, Host Michele Ehrhart welcomes Jason Cook, Vice President for Marketing and Communications and Chief Marketing Officer at Baylor University, to discuss how a college degree represents far more than a certificate—it encompasses personal, spiritual, and character growth, alongside critical thinking and leadership. In an era increasingly shaped by AI, human connection and complex problem-solving become key differentiators. Together, they explore how higher education fosters ethical boundaries, adaptability, and personal calling, urging institutions to articulate the enduring, holistic value of the campus experience.

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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 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.

Mallory sits down with Erik Toedt, new business leader at Snapchat, to discuss how higher education institutions can effectively reach 13- to 18-year-olds amidst tightening platform ad restrictions. Erik shares valuable lessons from his previous work at TikTok in travel and quick-service dining, emphasizing the power of organic content, strategic retargeting, and authentic, unpolished creative. Learn why institutions must venture beyond traditional platforms, step out of their comfort zones, and commit real support to drive meaningful enrollment growth.

Related Links:
AI Engage Fall Summit 2026
Pew Research Center, Teens' Experiences on TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat
Eduventures / Encoura, Who To Turn To: The Roles Impacting Students' College Choices
2025 E-Expectations Trend Report

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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 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.

In Part 3 of this Pulse Check Series, host Michele Ehrhart is joined by Tom Addonoizio, Vice President for University Communications & Chief Marketing Officer, to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence in academia and the workforce. They discuss how AI acts as a productivity tool rather than a job replacement, highlighting the growing importance of human success skills like adaptability, collaboration, and critical interpretation.

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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 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.

In this final episode of our pulse check series, Understanding the Modern Student Journey, Faton Sopa talks with Mark Hatton, Director of Admissions and Marketing at Webster Geneva Campus, to discuss the evolving landscape of international student recruitment and how digital platforms and AI are shifting how students research colleges. Mark emphasizes that despite the rise of online tools, personal relationships with global referral partners and face-to-face connections remain critical in building trust with families. The conversation highlights the value of campus visits and why institutions must remain adaptable to navigate changing global climates.

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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 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.

Mallory is joined by Natalie Gleason, VP of Marketing at Portico, to discuss the critical skill of building internal advocacy for new ideas. They explore why change efforts often stall under committee governance and how to overcome these hurdles by crafting solid business cases, anticipating stakeholder objections, and obtaining early voice-of-customer proof. Natalie shares insights from launching Portico’s new community initiative, offering practical advice on managing resources, executing successful pilots, and checking your ego at the door to turn great concepts into greenlit realities.

Related Links:
Portico’s The Commons community site

Stop Losing Sales to Customer Indecision

Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail

Gartner Sales Survey Finds 74% of B2B Buyer Teams Demonstrate "Unhealthy Conflict" During The Decision Process

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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 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.

In Part 2 of this Pulse Check series, Michele Ehrhart talks with Merianne Roth, Vice Chancellor, Marketing & Communication at Texas Christian University, to explore why a college education offers value far beyond financial ROI, highlighting the development of essential "success skills" like leadership, critical thinking, and identity formation. Merianne outlines how TCU is navigating AI through its AI Squared initiative and ethical use policies, and they also explore the importance of workforce readiness, alumni networks, and why choosing a path is a deeply personal decision.

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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 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.

Mallory is joined by Rob Zinkan, founder of Navigate Gray, to discuss the career trajectories of higher education chief marketing officers. While corporate CMOs often advance to executive roles like COO or CEO, higher ed CMOs frequently face limited upward pathways, often moving laterally to other campuses or exiting the sector entirely. Rob shares insights from analyzing nearly 100 organizational charts, highlighting the need for institutions to intentionally integrate marketing leaders into core strategic planning and build leadership capacity to develop true enterprise leaders.

What Comes After the CMO?

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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 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.