→ Presented by Element451
AI is already transforming higher ed. The AI Playbook for Institutional Leaders lays out a simple roadmap: start small, scale what works, and embed AI into your campus culture.
?? Read the AI Playbook and take the first step today.
?? TL;DR — Inside This Week's Edition
- ?? Meet the Heroes of Higher Ed: Devin Purgason led a transformation at Forsyth Technical Community College, using AI to streamline operations, unify messaging, and improve student retention.
- ?? Transfer Students Are Key to Enrollment Growth: Transfer enrollment is up, but many colleges still treat them as an afterthought. Learn how UIndy is leading the way on Mission Admissions.
- ?? Meltproof Your Incoming Class – Only 39% of students feel confident they can afford their chosen school. Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO explores strategies to prevent summer melt before it starts.
?? ICYMI: New Content and Updates
- ?? Transfer Students are the Unsung Heroes of Enrollment: Recent data from the National Student Clearinghouse shows a 7.7% increase in transfer enrollment nationwide, yet many colleges still take a passive approach, waiting for transfer students to come to them. In the latest episode of Mission Admissions, host Jeremy Tiers sits down with Ben Houston, Associate Director for Transfer Admissions at the University of Indianapolis, to explore what institutions should be doing to attract and support this growing student population with UIndy’s largest transfer class in three years.
- ?? Rethinking Digital Alumni Engagement - What Actually Works? Social media is unpredictable, email is often overlooked, and alumni platforms rarely gain traction. So how can institutions create meaningful, lasting engagement with alumni? In this episode of Higher Ed Geek, Dustin Ramsdell sits down with Ryan Catherwood, Senior VP at Chris Marshall Advancement Consulting, to unpack what works—and what doesn’t—in digital alumni engagement. Ryan also shares his personal shift away from traditional social media, insights on why opt-in platforms struggle, and how universities can rethink engagement for the long haul.
- ? Higher Ed Conferences are a Goldmine if You Know How to Use Them: If you’re attending conferences just to sit in sessions and collect swag, you’re leaving serious opportunities on the table. Higher ed conferences are prime real estate for networking, discovering emerging trends, and strengthening enrollment or marketing strategies. But without a clear plan, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. If you want to leave your next conference with more than just a name tag, this guide will show you how.
?? Hot and Trending Podcasts This Week
- Leading With AI: On the latest episode of AI for U, Brian Piper talks with Dave Hunt, Executive Creative Director at Old Dominion University (ODU), about how his team is using AI to streamline workflows, speed up creative projects, and free up staff for higher-value work. At ODU, AI handles tedious design edits, automates project management, and supports personalized marketing. The goal isn’t to replace people — it’s to give them back time for strategy, creativity, and real human engagement.
- Meltproof Your Incoming Class: Colleges secure deposits, but many students never show up. The biggest reason? Financial stress and uncertainty—only 39% feel confident they can afford their chosen school. On the latest Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO, Jaime Hunt talks with Will Patch, founder of Clarity EM, about how to stop melt in its tracks. His advice? Be proactive.
?AI Engage Summit: Featured Session
- AI agents can transform student interactions, but where do you start? This session explores how to deploy CustomGPTs for FAQs and advising, Gemini Gems for data analysis and content curation, and Claude Projects for workflow automation. Walk away with a clear strategy to build AI solutions tailored to higher ed’s needs. The AI Engage Summit is an event where we invite you to collaborate, learn, and lead the charge in defining AI in higher education. Register for this free event and join us on February 25-26!
? Higher Ed Hero Spotlight: Devin Purgason
- Forsyth Technical Community College struggled with disconnected systems, overburdened staff, and scattered communication—leaving students without the support they needed. As retention declined, Devin Purgason knew something had to change. As Associate Vice President for Student Experience, Marketing & Outreach, he led a transformation. By implementing Element451’s AI-first CRM, his team streamlined processes, unified messaging, and built a complete view of student engagement, ensuring every interaction felt intentional and supportive.
???? Want more real-world success stories? Meet the Heroes of Higher Ed redefining student engagement with AI.
