AI for U

• Ep. 13: Putting Students First with Devin Purgason

  Brian Piper sits down with Devin Purgason from Forsyth Tech to explore how the community college is strategically integrating AI to enhance student engagement, boost enrollment, and deliver better outcomes. Devin shares the innovative ways Forsyth Tech is leveraging tools like AI chatbots, automated workflows, and Microsoft Co-Pilot to create efficiencies while maintaining the human connection that drives student success. This conversation also tackles concerns like AI hallucinations, resource allocation, and how to balance automation with personal interaction to make a meaningful impact in higher education.Episode prompt: Using Claude.ai: Create an app for me that takes the attached spreadsheet and does X‍Key TakeawaysAI Can Enhance, Not Replace, Human InteractionsForsyth Tech uses AI to automate routine processes, freeing up staff to focus on more complex, human-centered student needs—ultimately increasing trust and connection.The Impact of AI Chatbots in EnrollmentBy integrating an AI chatbot, Forsyth Tech decreased call volume by 30%, increased call length by a minute (indicating deeper conversations), and saw a 10% rise in enrollment within six months.Human Oversight is Key to Managing AIForsyth Tech's success hinges on having a dedicated team member who constantly updates the AI knowledge base and monitors chat interactions to prevent errors.Start Small, Scale StrategicallyInstitutions new to AI should begin with small pilot projects to measure impact and refine processes before scaling larger initiatives.AI's Role in Personalization and AutomationAI tools are helping Forsyth Tech create tailored messaging, workflows, and content for prospective students, streamlining operations without losing the personal touch.How Forsyth Tech is Using AI to Meet Student Needs Forsyth Tech's integration of AI began in 2023 with the formation of an AI task force—a forward-thinking move for a community college. One of their most successful implementations has been an AI chatbot powered by generative AI and large language models (LLMs). The chatbot, customizable to the institution’s specific needs, provides students with real-time answers to questions like office hours or deadlines. This frees up staff to tackle more complicated issues, like FAFSA support, ensuring that high-need students get the attention they deserve.Beyond chatbots, AI has been incorporated into enrollment workflows using their CRM system. Prospective students are guided through personalized journeys based on their behavior and responses. For example, if a student completes an inquiry form, they receive automated emails or text messages tailored to their actions. What sets this apart is the integration of a student care team, which adds a human touch by personally reaching out to students during key points in their journey. This balance of AI and human intervention has been pivotal in driving enrollment growth.Addressing Concerns About AI Accuracy One of the top challenges institutions face when adopting AI is the risk of errors—so-called "AI hallucinations." Devin acknowledges these challenges but emphasizes that no system, human or AI, is immune to mistakes. To combat inaccuracies, Forsyth Tech monitors chat interactions in real time and uses triggers to notify staff when a chat requires human intervention. They also have a dedicated team member who updates the chatbot’s knowledge base regularly to ensure accuracy.Additionally, Devin advises that institutions shouldn't expect perfection when implementing AI. The focus should be on making incremental improvements that add value while mitigating risks. By taking this pragmatic approach, Forsyth Tech has reaped significant benefits without being derailed by occasional hiccups.The Future of AI in Higher Education Looking ahead, Devin predicts AI will drive greater personalization across all areas of higher education. From tailored academic content in learning management systems (LMS) to customized marketing messages, AI is poised to revolutionize the way colleges interact with students. Tools like Microsoft Co-Pilot, which summarizes emails and provides real-time assistance, are already helping Forsyth Tech's staff be more efficient in administrative tasks.For enrollment marketers, Devin believes AI will make A/B testing, process automation, and personalized campaigns more accessible and effective. The goal, he notes, isn’t just to attract students but to support them throughout their journey—from inquiry to graduation—with tools that reduce barriers and create meaningful engagement.Advice for Institutions New to AIFor institutions just starting their AI journey, Devin recommends the following steps:Define Objectives: Clarify what you want AI to achieve—whether it’s boosting enrollment, improving learning outcomes, or streamlining administrative tasks.Invest in Training: Equip staff with the skills to use and manage AI tools effectively.Pilot Projects: Start small, evaluate impact, and scale based on what works.Balance Automation and Human Touch: Always ensure that AI complements, rather than replaces, human interaction to maintain trust and connection with students. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Brian Piperhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:AI for U 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

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• Ep. 12: From Chatbots to Agents with Ardis Kadiu

  Brian Piper sits down with Ardis Kadiu, founder and CEO of Element451, to explore the transformative role of AI in higher education. From personalized student engagement tools to cutting-edge AI assistants, Ardis shares how AI is reshaping the student journey and breaking down barriers to success. Tune in for insights on AI adoption, overcoming institutional challenges, and the exciting possibilities ahead in 2025 and beyond.Episode prompt: Looker data studio dashboard template - https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/bc82429a-f580-42de-b80f-d87e7eeeffadYou are a content marketing and data expert.I’m going to ask you to look at Google Search Console data and identify opportunities for me to optimize existing content or create new content that would be the most valuable for my target audience while also helping me meet my strategic business goals.My target audience consists of {describe target audience or upload persona resources}. And my strategic goals include {list company goals, upload a document, or point to a URL}.Give me a list of 10 existing pieces of content to optimize and a list of 10 new pieces of content to create. Take your time.Key TakeawaysTransforming Student Engagement: AI-powered tools like Element451 provide tailored solutions for prospect engagement, application management, and ongoing student support.AI Agents in Higher Ed: Multi-agent AI systems mimic campus staff roles, providing specialized support while improving efficiency and the student experience.Combatting AI Misconceptions: Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) ensures chatbots provide accurate, context-specific responses, addressing fears of misinformation.Leadership's Role in AI Adoption: Transformative AI adoption requires leadership-driven change management, not just grassroots experimentation.Future of AI in Higher Ed: By 2025, agent-based workflows and personalized discovery tools are poised to redefine administrative and academic processes.What is Element451, and how does it leverage AI for higher education?Element451 is an AI-first platform designed to enhance student engagement across the higher education lifecycle. From marketing to advising, its tools integrate AI to streamline processes and personalize experiences. The platform’s innovative multi-agent system simulates real-world campus roles, offering specialized assistance for admissions, financial aid, and beyond. This structure allows seamless handoffs between AI agents and human staff, ensuring students receive accurate, timely support.How does Element451 address chatbot challenges like misinformation?Ardis explained how modern AI systems combat "hallucinations" or inaccuracies through Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). By leveraging authoritative data sources such as institutional knowledge bases and websites, the AI ensures responses are contextually accurate and relevant. Educating institutions on these methodologies has been key to overcoming skepticism and building trust in AI tools.What are the biggest challenges in adopting AI in higher education?Despite AI’s potential, many institutions view it as a tool rather than a transformational technology. Leadership often delegates AI exploration to teams without equipping them with the tools for meaningful change management. Ardis emphasized that a shift in mindset, driven by leadership, is essential for realizing AI’s full potential.How can institutions get started with AI?Ardis advised institutions to focus on removing friction from the student experience. Start with areas like program exploration, application processes, or course catalog navigation. AI solutions can provide personalized recommendations and streamline workflows, enhancing both student satisfaction and institutional efficiency.Why has AI adoption been slower on the administrative side?Faculty often drive institutional innovation, with academic applications of AI gaining traction due to concerns about cheating and learning outcomes. Administrative areas like enrollment and marketing lag behind, partly due to a lack of urgency and purpose-driven leadership. However, Ardis predicts a shift as institutions recognize AI’s broader organizational value.What does the future of AI in higher education look like?Ardis forecasts 2025 as the "year of AI agents," with agent-driven workflows becoming mainstream in education and beyond. As AI models become cheaper and more powerful, institutions will move from experimentation to full-scale deployment. Personalized discovery tools, enhanced reasoning models, and advanced world models promise to revolutionize the higher education landscape.Guest Name: Ardis Kadiu, Founder and CEO of Element451Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/ Guest Bio: Ardis is the Founder and CEO of Element451, an EdTech company renowned for its AI-powered student engagement and CRM products. His expertise spans AI, technology, education, and design, making significant contributions to higher education. At Element451, Ardis has been instrumental in developing advanced personalization engines and AI features, demonstrating his deep understanding of AI's practical applications. As an educator at NYU, he has shared his knowledge in user experience design, web, and mobile development. A thought leader in the field, Ardis shares his insights on Generative AI, ChatGPT, and AI-enhanced engagement strategies at key industry events like AMA, NAGAP, EDUCAUSE, and NACAC. He also hosts the "Generation AI" podcast, exploring the impact of AI in education and marketing. Ardis Kadiu combines a rich academic foundation with professional acumen, holding an MBA in Innovation & Technology Management and Digital Media Innovation, an MS in Integrated Digital Media, and a BS in Computer Engineering, all from New York University. This educational blend underpins his practical and innovative approach in the EdTech sector. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Brian Piperhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:AI for U 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

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• Ep. 11: Integrating AI with Kellie Campbell

  Join us as Kellie Campbell, CIO of Vermont State Colleges System, shares insights on building AI readiness across multiple institutions. Learn about creating system-wide approaches to AI adoption, preparing institutional data foundations, and developing strategies for workforce preparation.Episode prompt: You are an experienced higher education HR professional specializing in job description development at [school name] [provide url if using chatGPT]. Before creating the job description, ask me the neccesary questions ONE AT A TIME in order to gather all the information needed about the job based on the sample job descriptions that have been provided. After I provide a response, ask the next relevant question. Do not move on until you have gathered the necessary information to create a new job description based on the supplied example.Potential Information Gathering Questions:1. Position Basics- What is the position title?- Which department/unit?- Who does this position report to?- Is this full-time, part-time, or temporary?- What is the FLSA status (exempt/non-exempt)?- Are there any special work arrangements (hybrid, remote, etc.)?2. Role Context- What is the primary purpose of this position?- What strategic goals does this role support?- What challenges is this role meant to address?- What makes this role unique at your institution?3. Team Structure- How many direct reports (if any)?- What other positions will they work closely with?- What committees or working groups will they serve on?- What stakeholders will they interact with regularly?4. Requirements- What required education level?- What required years of experience?- What specific technical skills are required?- What certifications or licenses are needed?- What soft skills are essential?5. Responsibilities- What are the primary duties?- How is time typically divided between different duties?- What are the key deliverables?- What routine tasks are involved?- What strategic initiatives will they lead?6. Institution-Specific- What values should be emphasized?- Are there any special institutional requirements?- What unique aspects of your culture should be highlighted?- Any specific DEI commitments to include?After gathering this information, I will:1. Analyze your sample job description to match style and format2. Draft a comprehensive description following your institutional template3. Include any standard language or sections from your sample4. Ensure all required compliance statements are included5. Maintain consistent tone and terminologyImportant Reminders:- All language will be inclusive and unbiased- Skills will be clearly marked as required vs. preferred- Responsibilities will be action-oriented and specific- Format will match institutional standards from the supplied example- Salary range will be included if required by law- Equal opportunity and accessibility statements will be includedBegin asking the necessary questions. Do NOT ask a question from the list above unless it is specifically required in the example job description, and then, take your time creating the new job description in the same format as the example.Guest Name: Dr. Kellie Campbell (EdD), Chief Information Officer/Vice President, Vermont State Colleges SystemGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kellie-b-campbell-edd-75a83253Guest Bio: As Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Technology for the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS), Kellie works in close partnership with the Council of Presidents to provide leadership, management, and strategy for the Information Technology (IT) shared services division. Inclusive of seven key service areas, the IT division provides direct IT services to the entire VSCS. Kellie also serves on the executive leadership team driving transformation objectives for the state colleges system. As a commissioner and committee co-chair on the Vermont Commission on Women, Kellie works with others on non-partisan issues to advance the rights and opportunity for women in the state of Vermont.  - - - -Connect With Our Host:Brian Piperhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:AI for U 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

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• Ep. 10: Streamlining Development with Mike Miles

  Join us as Mike Miles, Director of Web Development at MIT Sloan, shares insights on integrating AI into development workflows, fostering team collaboration, and preparing for the future of AI-assisted coding. Learn practical approaches to using tools like GitHub Copilot and strategies for optimizing web content for AI consumption.Episode prompt:You are an SEO expert specializing in higher education websites. Help me create optimized page titles and meta descriptions for our university webpages. Please analyze the content and context of the following page and provide recommendations that balance search visibility with our educational mission.Consider these institutional factors:- Primary target audience(s) for this page (e.g., prospective students, current students, faculty)- Competitive academic programs or unique offerings- Core institutional values and brand voice- Search intent for different audience segmentsPlease generate:1. Page Title (50-60 characters)- Primary version optimized for search- Alternative version emphasizing brand/value- Mobile-friendly shortened version2. Meta Description (130-155 characters)- Primary version with clear call-to-action- Alternative version focusing on unique value proposition- Mobile-friendly shortened version3. Provide brief explanations for:- Key terms/phrases targeted- Why these choices align with user intent- How these support our SEO goalsGuidelines:- Include location/institution name where relevant- Avoid keyword stuffing- Maintain academic tone while being engaging- Consider local/regional search impact- Follow higher ed best practices for accessibilityAfter analyzing the page content, please ask clarifying questions about:- Specific program differentiators- Target geography- Primary conversion goals- Competing pages/institutionsGuest Name: Mike Miles, Director of Web Development, MIT SloanGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemiles86/Guest Bio: Mike Miles is a web engineer with 20+ years of experience in open-source development, proficient in various languages and frameworks.  As the Director of Web Development at MIT Sloan, Mike manages the team responsible for the development, maintenance, and growth of the schools public facing web properties to deliver high-quality solutions for the school's community. Mike presents talks at technical conferences around the world and is one of the organizers of the New England Drupal Camp (https://nedcamp.org). - - - -Connect With Our Host:Brian Piperhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:AI for U 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

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• Balancing Bytes and Bonds: How AI Can Humanize Higher Ed

  In this Enrollify webinar, Balancing Bites and Bonds: How AI Can Humanize Higher Ed, Mallory Willsea and an expert panel dive deep into how artificial intelligence is transforming student engagement in higher education. Featuring AI for U host Brian Piper, Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO host Jamie Hunt, Generation AI co-host JC Bonilla, and The Hidden Gem host Maya Demishkevich, the discussion addresses the dual challenge of automating processes while maintaining meaningful, human connections. Through innovative examples, insights, and lively conversation, this episode provides a roadmap for leveraging AI to create more personalized and efficient student experiences.Key Takeaways:AI as a Personalization Multiplier: AI enables hyper-personalization, allowing institutions to deliver tailored experiences at scale while freeing staff for high-touch student interactions.Balancing Efficiency and Empathy: AI can handle repetitive tasks and provide instant answers, allowing human advisors to focus on meaningful, personalized connections.Student-Centric Approach: Despite concerns, students generally value efficient solutions over the origin of communication, provided their needs are met.Ethical AI Use: Transparency, data security, and empathy should be foundational to AI implementations in higher ed.AI’s Potential for Scaling Impact: Tools like virtual assistants and predictive modeling have proven success in improving outcomes, such as higher grades and retention rates.1. How does AI enhance student engagement without dehumanizing it?Panelists agreed that AI’s strength lies in its ability to manage repetitive tasks and provide hyper-personalized interactions. For instance, Dr. JC Bonilla emphasized that AI acts as a "personalization multiplier," allowing institutions to address individual student needs with a level of nuance and efficiency impossible through manual methods alone.AI-powered tools, such as predictive analytics, enable institutions to identify at-risk students early. Brian Piper shared a compelling example from Ivy Tech Community College, where AI monitoring alerted counselors to students in danger of failing, resulting in a 98% success rate for these students in achieving a C grade or higher. 2. What are examples of successful AI use in higher education?Several panelists highlighted successful AI applications:Georgia State University: Direct text messages powered by AI helped first-generation students improve their grades by an average of 11 percentage points.Virtual Campus Tours: Maya Demishkevich shared an example where AI-powered avatars significantly increased engagement during online campus tours, providing institutions with scalable alternatives to human guides.AI Virtual Assistants: Institutions like Forsyth Tech have saved thousands of staff hours by automating responses to routine queries, enabling human staff to focus on higher-value tasks.3. Do students care if AI is part of their experience?Surprisingly, the consensus was that students care more about getting their needs met efficiently than whether the solution involves AI. However, transparency remains critical. As Brian Piper pointed out, institutions should disclose when AI tools are being used to ensure trust isn’t eroded. 4. What are the ethical considerations in using AI for student communications?Panelists underscored the importance of ethical AI use, advocating for transparency, data security, and empathy as foundational principles. Jamie Hunt stressed the need to ensure AI-generated content aligns with institutional values and human oversight remains part of the decision-making process. 5. How can institutions address faculty and staff fears about AI replacing jobs?To build trust, institutions should focus on training faculty and staff to use AI tools as enhancements to their roles, not replacements. As Maya Demishkevich noted, AI can save time by automating mundane tasks, allowing employees to focus on strategic, human-centric work. JC Bonilla added that embracing the role of “AI champions” within institutions can help bridge the gap between AI skeptics and early adopters. 6. What does the future of AI in higher ed look like?Panelists agreed that AI’s future lies in hyper-personalization, advanced virtual assistants, and smaller, task-specific language models (LLMs). The emergence of AI "agents" tailored for distinct tasks will allow for even greater efficiency and impact.AI is transforming higher education by bridging the gap between efficiency and empathy. The insights shared in this episode reveal the exciting potential for AI to not only streamline processes but also amplify the human connections at the heart of higher education. To dive deeper, listen to the full episode of Balancing Bites and Bonds: How AI Can Humanize Higher Ed, and explore the possibilities for your institution. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Brian Piperhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:AI for U 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 next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

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