Conference Convos Unpacked

About the Episode:

Seth and Mallory jump into the latest trends and conversations from recent higher education conferences — the 2024 Engage Summit and eduWeb Summit. They discuss the impact of AI, budget uncertainties, and the current state of the industry. 

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Key Takeaways

• Conference Insights: Key themes and discussions from the Engage Summit and eduWeb, including the increasing focus on AI.
• Budget Uncertainties: How institutions are handling financial uncertainties and delayed budget finalizations impacting marketing and technology investments.
• Industry Sentiment: Observations on the current mood in higher education, with many professionals feeling the weight of industry challenges.
• AI Adoption: While AI is widely recognized, many institutions are still in the early stages of its integration, focusing primarily on ideation.

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Episode Summary

The Enrollify Network Turns Five!

Before diving into conference conversations, Mallory and Seth celebrate Enrollify’s fifth birthday. From milestone moments to giveaways and upcoming events, it’s a reminder of how far the network has come—and how much more is ahead.

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Tensions and Uncertainty Loom Over Higher Ed

Mallory shares the general atmosphere at recent conferences, noting an undercurrent of tension and uncertainty. Many attendees voiced concerns over:

1. Fall Enrollment Pressure: With fall classes still filling, CFOs are delaying budget approvals, leaving many institutions unable to start new initiatives.
2. Public Perception of Higher Ed: Persistent debates about the value of a degree and political headwinds are adding to the strain.
3. Stalled Investments: Key projects, including CRM upgrades, website redesigns, and AI implementations, are on hold as institutions wait for greater financial clarity.

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AI Adoption: The Promise and the Reality

While AI remains a hot topic, Mallory observed that many institutions are still in the early stages of adoption. Most are using AI for ideation and basic tasks, such as drafting emails, but few have fully integrated AI into workflows, such as site search optimization or enrollment processes.

Seth adds that institutions and vendors alike are starting to take AI more seriously, with legal teams drafting usage policies and contracts. While progress is happening, the higher ed industry still has a long way to go to catch up with other sectors.

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Career Shifts Continue to Dominate Conversations

One recurring theme was career transitions. From hallway chats to vendor discussions, many attendees spoke candidly about exploring new opportunities. As budgets remain tight and challenges mount, professionals are weighing whether to stay the course or seek new roles outside of higher ed.

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A Bright Spot: Networking and Community

Despite the heavy topics, both conferences offered attendees a chance to connect and find solidarity. First-time conference-goers at EduWeb were particularly excited to meet peers and learn from seasoned professionals. As Mallory notes, “Misery loves company—but so does camaraderie.”

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Register for Enrollify’s Birthday Bash Webinar

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Connect With Our Hosts:

Mallory Willsea
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

Seth Odell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethodell/
https://twitter.com/sethodell

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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!  

Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.

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.