About the Episode
About the Episode: In this special live episode from the NAGAP GEM Summit in Louisville, Kentucky, Shane Baglini, the Senior Director of Marketing at Muhlenberg College, joins us to discuss the integration of AI tools in higher education marketing and admissions. Shane shares his experiences with using Element451 to enhance Muhlenberg’s graduate programs, the benefits of AI in creating efficient communication strategies, and his take on the evolving landscape of educational technology. This episode is packed with insights from the front lines of higher education innovation, offering valuable lessons for institutions looking to adopt similar technologies.
Takeaways
- Integration of AI in Marketing and Admissions: Shane highlighted how AI, specifically through platforms like Element451, is revolutionizing graduate admissions at Muhlenberg College by automating and personalizing communications.
- Challenges and Rewards of Technology Adoption: Discussion on the skepticism around AI in higher education and how Muhlenberg College is navigating these challenges to improve operational efficiency.
- Real-World Application of AI Tools: Shane shared specific examples, like the creation of a 12-month marketing campaign in real-time, demonstrating the practical benefits of AI in streamlining tasks.
- Professional Development and Networking: Insights from the NAGAP conference emphasized the importance of community learning and networking among professionals in graduate enrollment management.
Calls to Action
- Subscribe to stay ahead with insights from higher education leaders.
- Explore how your institution can leverage technology to enhance student engagement and enrollment.
- Consider the impact of centralized communication strategies and AI in your outreach efforts.
- Engage with Daniella and Brendan at our annual Engage Summit conference in Raleigh, NC June 25-26. Use the code Enrollify50 for $50 off.
- Join the Enrollify community for more resources and discussions on innovative higher education marketing strategies.
Bringing AI to Life at NAGAP
Shane Bagelini kicked off the GEM Summit with a pre-summit workshop on generative AI, co-led by Element 451’s CEO, Artis Kadu. The session demonstrated how tools like custom GPTs can transform the marketing and enrollment process, particularly for graduate programs.
"Seeing the lightbulb moments from attendees as they realized the potential of AI was incredible," Shane shared.
The workshop introduced practical applications for AI, such as creating a marketing copywriter or a brand strategist, and left attendees with a framework to build their own AI tools back on campus.
Muhlenberg’s AI Journey
Muhlenberg College has embraced Element 451’s suite of AI tools to streamline workflows and enhance communication with prospective graduate students. Highlights include:
- Campaign Co-Pilot: During a meeting, Shane demonstrated how Co-Pilot could build a 12-month nurture campaign in real time, showcasing its ability to create detailed, thoughtful content in minutes.
- BoltBot: This AI-powered chatbot functions as a 24/7 admissions counselor, answering questions, translating languages, and connecting students to the right resources.
- Generative AI for Content Creation: From program pages to email campaigns, Muhlenberg uses AI to create high-quality assets quickly, helping the team save time while maintaining a personal touch.
"AI is a game-changer for resource-strapped teams like ours," Shane explained. "It amplifies what we can do without replacing the human touch."
Empathy-Driven Enrollment Strategies
Graduate enrollment is a unique challenge, with prospective students often facing complex personal and professional barriers to returning to school. Muhlenberg is addressing this with an empathy-first approach:
- Transparent Messaging: Muhlenberg’s communications acknowledge the challenges of balancing work, family, and education, offering support and resources to ease the journey.
- Support for Advisors: Tools like BoltBot allow advisors to spend less time answering basic questions and more time providing personalized guidance.
- Intentional Communication Audits: Over the summer, Muhlenberg plans to audit all communications to ensure they are empathetic, transparent, and resonate with the unique needs of graduate students.
A Culture of Curiosity
Shane emphasized the importance of curiosity in driving innovation, both with AI and within Element 451’s platform. From experimenting with custom GPTs to seeking support from Element’s community, Muhlenberg’s success stems from a willingness to learn, adapt, and explore.
Looking Ahead
Muhlenberg’s next big project is an audit of its lead nurture communications, focusing on empathy and intentionality. By ensuring that every message aligns with prospective students’ needs, Muhlenberg aims to further differentiate itself in the competitive graduate enrollment space.
"We want to make sure we’re communicating in a way that reassures students, ‘We see you, we understand this is hard, and we’re here to help,’" Shane said.
Connect With Our Co-Hosts:
Daniella Nordin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellanordin/
Brendan Henkel
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bkhenkel/
About The Enrollify Podcast Network: In Your Element is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook and Higher Ed Pulse.
Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
Connect with Us at the Engage Summit: Exciting news — Daniella and Brendan will be at the 2024 Engage Summit in Raleigh, NC, on June 25 and 26, and we’d love to meet you there! Sessions will focus on cutting-edge AI applications that are reshaping student outreach, enhancing staff productivity, and offering deep insights into ROI.
Use the discount code Enrollify50 at checkout, and you can register for just $200.
Learn more and register at engage.element451.com — we can’t wait to see you there!
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