AI for U

• Ep. 32: Rethinking Web Traffic: How Conversational AI is Changing Student Search

  Worried about falling website traffic? You’re not the only one. In this episode, Megan Andrews, Digital Strategy Consultant at Squiz, joins us to talk about why fewer clicks do not necessarily mean less engagement, and how conversational AI is changing how students find and interact with information online. She also shares why it’s time to stop obsessing over visitor counts and start measuring real value, how AI-powered search can reveal what students are really thinking, and why there’s no better time to experiment than right now.Join us as we discuss: [2:45] What a dip in organic website traffic really means[10:01] The real challenge: starting before it is perfect[16:34] Why higher education’s culture of sharing is a superpowerTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for AI for U with Brian Piper in your favorite podcast player.Episode Prompt: Replace the items in brackets [] with the specifics for your institution. You may need to focus this prompt down to look for one strategy for one audience depending on the results you get.You are an expert in higher education marketing and AI search discoverability.Your task is to analyze how [institution name], [institution URL], appears in AI-generated search results.Based on the following, generate a list of conversational searches that audiences might run to learn about the school that could be used to test the visibility in ChatGPT around strategic priorities for their target audience.Strategic Priorities: [insert institution’s strategic priorities here or link to URL]Mission Statement: [insert institution’s mission statement here or link to URL]Primary Audiences: [insert institution’s key audiences for reaching strategic priorities]Examples:“Is [institution name] a good school for [priority program/field]?”“What is [institution name] known for?”“Best colleges for business in [state].”“Student experience at [institution name].”“How much does it cost to attend [institution name]?”Run these conversational searches in ChatGPT.For each, capture whether the institution appears in the AI-generated results.Provide a narrative summary that answers:Where and how does the institution appear across AI platforms?What information (facts, claims, rankings, or highlights) do the AI results display?What links, if any, are included (official site, third-party rankings, Wikipedia, etc.)?How well does this representation align with the institution’s strategic priorities, mission, and key audiences?What gaps or risks are present in the current AI search presence? (e.g., outdated info, missing strengths, unfavorable comparisons)Output a single narrative summary, connecting the institution’s visibility back to its mission and strategic goals, and highlighting areas where content or visibility could be improved.Guest Name: Megan Andrews, Digital Strategy Consultant at SquizGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganandrews/Guest Bio: Megan Andrews is a seasoned digital consultant with deep expertise in content strategy, brand development, and user experience. In her role at Squiz, she partners with higher education institutions to modernize their digital presence and create student-centered experiences that drive engagement and outcomes. Her recent work emphasizes the use of AI-powered conversational search tools to help universities better understand user behavior and deliver more intuitive, impactful digital interactions. Previously, Megan worked in content and channel strategy at Stanford University, shaping communications for one of the world’s leading academic brands. With nearly two decades of experience across industries, she brings a unique ability to bridge storytelling, technology, and strategy to help organizations build stronger connections with their audiences. - - - -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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  --------  

  31:10

  --------

  31:10
• Ep. 31: When AI Agents Become Teammates: The Future of Student Support

  In this episode, Brian sits down with Carrie Pitts-Densmore, VP of Enrollment and Marketing at Johnston Community College, to talk about how higher ed can embrace AI as a partner rather than a threat. Carrie shares how her team built ten AI agents inside their CRM to handle student inquiries, scale enrollment communications, and free staff to focus on more complex, human-centered work. From saving 120,000+ human minutes in one year to envisioning AI as a personal assistant, Carrie’s insights show how institutions can move from hesitation to hands-on experimentation and success.Join us as we discuss:[2:12] How Johnston saved 120,000 human minutes with automation[12:36] Why AI is a teammate, not a replacement[17:25] How higher ed jobs are evolving with AI, not disappearingCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Higher Ed Pulse, episode 77To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for AI for U with Brian Piper in your favorite podcast player.Episode prompt: You are an expert writer.I'm going to ask you to help me overcome writer's block that I'm experiencing with a piece of content I need to create. Instead of writing it for me, I want you to help me work through this creative obstacle as a collaborative partner.**What I'm Working On:**- Content type: [Email, blog post, social media, website copy, etc.]- Target audience: [Who will read this]- Main purpose/goal: [What I want to accomplish]- Key message: [The core point I want to make]- Approximate length: [How long this should be]- Deadline pressure: [Timeline I'm working with]**Where I'm Stuck:**- What I've tried so far: [Any drafts, notes, or approaches attempted]- Specific obstacle: [Can't find the right opening, don't know how to organize ideas, struggling with tone, etc.]- What's making this challenging: [Complexity of topic, multiple audiences, sensitive subject matter, etc.]Help me diagnose what's causing my block and suggest 3-4 specific strategies to move forward, but don't write the content for me.Guest Name: Carrie Pitts-Densmore, M.S., APR, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing, Johnston Community CollegeGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pittscarrie/Guest Bio: Carrie Pitts-Densmore serves as Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Johnston Community College, bringing more than 25 years of communications expertise to her role. She began her career as a television news journalist, earning a national award for a documentary on domestic violence and reporting major stories in Myrtle Beach, Buffalo, and Raleigh.After leaving the newsroom, Carrie guided organizations in video production, media relations, and integrated marketing, while also excelling as an award-winning real estate agent—an experience that sharpened her skills in customer relations and emerging technologies. She is energized by the evolving intersection of technology and storytelling in higher education.Carrie holds Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and a Master of Science in Communications from Purdue University. Beyond her professional life, she is mom to Archer and wife to Shawn. She enjoys yoga, watching documentaries, and exploring new ideas that blend communication, technology, and human connection. - - - -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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  --------  

  26:52

  --------

  26:52
• Ep. 30: From Fear to Function: How to Embrace AI as a Coworker in Higher Ed

  In this episode, we sit down with Mark Lee, Director of Web User Experience and Digital Strategy at Colorado College, to unpack the promises and the pitfalls of bringing AI into higher education. Mark reveals how he treats AI as a coworker instead of a content machine, why fear and resistance remain the biggest roadblocks on campus, and how schools can win buy-in by starting small with low-risk, high-reward use cases. From AI-powered tutors and chatbots boosting student success to the radical shift from SEO to GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), this conversation explores what it takes to truly future-proof higher ed in an AI-driven world.Join us as we discuss:[5:30] Where to start with change management and why tedious tasks matter[14:35] AI in student success: virtual TAs and chatbots that improve grades[19:51] The “avalanche” analogy and how to stay flexible in an era of disruptionTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for AI for U with Brian Piper in your favorite podcast player.Episode Prompt: You are a strategic advisor and critical thought partner.I’m going to ask you to help me test a plan I'm developing. Your role is to challenge my thinking, identify blind spots, and push back on assumptions, not to validate or agree with me.Before you create a response, ask any questions that will create a better output.**My Initiative/Plan:**[DESCRIBE YOUR STRATEGY, CAMPAIGN, OR INITIATIVE]**Context & Background:**- Institution type: [PUBLIC/PRIVATE, SIZE, LOCATION]- Target audience: [WHO YOU'RE TRYING TO REACH]- Primary goals: [WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE]- Timeline: [WHEN THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN]- Budget/Resources: [CONSTRAINTS YOU'RE WORKING WITHIN]- Key stakeholders: [WHO NEEDS TO BUY IN OR BE INVOLVED]**My Current Thinking:**[OUTLINE YOUR PROPOSED APPROACH, STRATEGY, OR SOLUTION]Now, please challenge this plan by addressing:1. **Assumption Testing**: What assumptions am I making that might be wrong?2. **Gap Analysis**: What important factors am I not considering?3. **Risk Assessment**: What could go wrong that I haven't planned for?4. **Stakeholder Blind Spots**: Whose perspectives might I be missing?5. **Alternative Approaches**: What completely different strategies might work better?Be direct and critical—I need honest analysis, not encouragement.Guest Name: Mark Lee, Director of Web User Experience & Digital Strategy, Colorado CollegeGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarklee/Guest Bio: Mark Lee is a higher ed web technologist, digital builder and a lifelong learner who is currently obsessed with learning everything he can about AI and how it intersects with the future of the web and higher education.He's worked in higher ed web since the early 2000s, starting as a full-stack developer and moving slowly over the years more towards user experience, though he still loves to write code. - - - -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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  --------  

  33:07

  --------

  33:07
• Ep. 29: Building Amplify: Inside Vanderbilt’s Bold Experiment in AI Adoption

  How can higher education move beyond theory and actually adopt AI in ways that matter? In this episode, we talk with Allen Karns, Chief AI and Technology Officer at Vanderbilt’s Center for Generative AI, to unpack what it really takes to integrate AI across a university. Allen shares the story of Amplify, Vanderbilt’s homegrown AI platform, and explains why leadership buy-in is the single biggest factor in campus adoption. He discusses how his team built momentum by starting small, highlights creative use cases already transforming workflows, and offers advice for preparing marketing and admissions teams for AI’s growing role.Join us as we discuss: [7:21] The biggest challenge for AI in higher ed: leadership buy-in[10:18] How to build a curious, experiment-driven team[18:52] Why today’s AI already offers 10 years of learningCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Vanderbilt AmplifyEthan MollickTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for AI for U with Brian Piper in your favorite podcast player.Episode prompt: I have an important meeting coming up and need help preparing comprehensively. Here are the details:**Meeting Details:**- Date/Time: [WHEN]- Attendees: [WHO - include roles/departments]- Meeting Purpose: [PRIMARY OBJECTIVE]- Meeting Type: [Budget planning, strategic planning, crisis response, project kickoff, etc.]- Expected Duration: [TIME ALLOCATED]**Background Context:**- Previous relevant meetings or decisions: [BRIEF HISTORY]- Current challenges we're facing: [KEY ISSUES]- Organizational priorities this relates to: [STRATEGIC GOALS]- Any tensions or concerns among attendees: [INTERPERSONAL DYNAMICS]Please help me prepare by creating:1. **Strategic Agenda** - Prioritized list of topics that maximizes our time2. **Key Questions** - Critical questions I should ask to drive productive discussion3. **Potential Obstacles** - Issues that might derail the meeting and how to handle them4. **Decision Framework** - Structure for making decisions if we reach key choice points5. **Success Metrics** - How to know if this meeting accomplished its purposeFocus on making this meeting outcome-oriented rather than just informational.Guest Name: Allen Karns, Chief AI and Technology Officer, Amplify Gen AI Innovation Center, Vanderbilt UniversityGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-karns-1888731/Guest Bio: Allen Karns is an accomplished IT professional with 25 years of extensive experience guiding organizations through the ever-changing technology landscape of cloud architecture, generative AI, infrastructure, and system administration. Currently, he serves as the Chief AI and Technology Officer for the Amplify Gen AI Innovation Center at Vanderbilt University leading Generative AI industry research and projects that drive process innovation as well as institutional applications of Amplify, the university's Open-Source Generative AI platform. In this role, he collaborates across the university to leverage Generative AI for solving institutional challenges. Prior to this, Allen was the Technical Leader of the Cloud Engineering and Architecture team, responsible for architecting, deploying, and maintaining solutions in AWS and Azure. His career has been marked by a strong focus on innovation, leadership, and customer satisfaction, boasting proficiency in cloud architecture and technologies, Infrastructure as Code, security frameworks, and cost optimization. With multiple industry certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional and Azure Administrator, Allen is committed to mentoring teams and driving successful project outcomes. Notable achievements include being named a Gartner Eye on Innovation finalist, recipient of Vanderbilt’s Pacesetter and multiple Kudos Awards for his contributions to innovation and customer satisfaction. Passionate about the future of technology, Allen continues to seek opportunities to contribute to groundbreaking projects. - - - -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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  --------  

  25:45

  --------

  25:45
• Ep. 28: Boring AI, Brilliant Results: How AI Can Make Great Systems Even Better

  In this episode, we sit down with Michael Deperro, Michael Deperro, Senior Coordinator of Faculty Development & Professionalism at Case Western Reserve University, to uncover how AI is shaking up higher education. Michael pulls back the curtain on how his team is using AI to clear away the “digital laundry” of repetitive back-office work, build a retrieval-augmented generation hub that simplifies faculty processes, and make room for staff to focus on what really matters: people.Join us as we discuss: [5:45] Why legacy systems are one of the biggest hurdles to AI integration[10:33] “Boring AI” use cases that really work[16:38] Trust, transparency, and responsibility in AI adoptionCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:SmarterX.aiMAICONTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for AI for U with Brian Piper in your favorite podcast player.Episode Prompt:Episode prompt: Initial Setup Prompt:I need to work through a strategic decision/challenge and want to use you as a thought partner. Here's my situation:**Challenge/Decision:** [DESCRIBE YOUR SPECIFIC SITUATION OR DECISION]**My Current Thinking:** [OUTLINE YOUR PROPOSED SOLUTION OR APPROACH]**Context:** - My role: [YOUR POSITION]- Institution type: [E.G., PUBLIC UNIVERSITY, PRIVATE COLLEGE]- Stakeholders involved: [LIST KEY GROUPS AFFECTED]- Timeline: [WHEN DECISION NEEDS TO BE MADE]- Resources available: [BUDGET, STAFF, TIME CONSTRAINTS]I want you to act as a critical thought partner. Your job is to:1. Challenge my assumptions and reasoning2. Identify potential blind spots or risks I haven't considered3. Suggest alternative approaches or solutions4. Help me stress-test this idea before presenting it to stakeholdersPlease be direct in your feedback - I need honest analysis, not validation.Round 1: Devil's Advocate AnalysisNow I want you to play devil's advocate with my proposal. Assume you're a skeptical colleague who needs to be convinced this is a good idea.Push back on my reasoning by addressing:- What are the weakest points in my logic?- What could go wrong with this approach?- What am I not considering about implementation challenges?- How might different stakeholders react negatively?- What are the opportunity costs of pursuing this direction?- Where might I be overestimating benefits or underestimating costs?Be specific about potential problems and explain your reasoning.Round 2: Alternative SolutionsBased on our discussion, now help me brainstorm alternative approaches to this challenge.Consider:- What would a completely different solution look like?- How would someone with [SPECIFIC EXPERTISE - e.g., finance background, student affairs experience, technology focus] approach this differently?- What if we had unlimited resources? What if we had severely limited resources?- What are 2-3 entirely different ways to solve the underlying problem?- What would the "do nothing" option look like and what are its implications?Present these alternatives with brief pros/cons for each.Round 3: Implementation Reality CheckLet's get practical about implementation. Assume my organization decides to move forward with [CHOSEN APPROACH].Help me identify:- What are the first 3 concrete steps we'd need to take?- What resistance should I expect and from whom?- What metrics should we use to measure success?- What would "failure" look like and how would we know?- What contingency plans should we have ready?- How long should we expect this to take realistically?- What skills or resources do we need that we might not have?Be specific about potential roadblocks and mitigation strategies.Cross-Model Analysis Prompt (for use with different AI models):I've been working through a strategic decision with another AI model. Here's what I proposed and the feedback I received:**My Original Proposal:** [RESTATE YOUR IDEA]**Previous AI's Analysis:** [PASTE KEY FEEDBACK FROM OTHER MODEL]Now I want your perspective:1. Do you agree or disagree with the previous analysis? Why?2. What did the other model miss or get wrong?3. What additional considerations should I factor in?4. How would you refine or modify the previous recommendations?Feel free to challenge the other model's reasoning if you see flaws in its logic.Final Synthesis Prompt:I've now worked through this decision with multiple AI models and perspectives. Help me synthesize everything into a final recommendation.Based on all our discussions, provide:**Recommended Action:** What should I do and why?**Key Success Factors:** What are the 3 most critical elements for success?**Primary Risks:** What are the 2-3 biggest threats to watch for?**Communication Strategy:** How should I present this to stakeholders?**Decision Timeline:** What's the optimal sequence and timing for implementation?**Metrics for Success:** How will we know if this is working?Keep your final recommendation concise but actionable.Guest Name: Michael Deperro, Senior Coordinator, Faculty Development and ProfessionalismGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-deperro/Guest Bio: Michael DePerro designs and leads leadership development programs for faculty at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, where he's passionate about helping individuals and institutions think creatively, embrace change, and pursue bold ideas through innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. His approach combines practical leadership development with forward-thinking strategies that prepare academic leaders for an evolving landscape.Michael launched the first AI Council for Administration at Ohio University's College of Business and co-founded AI Woodstock Cleveland, a grassroots initiative bringing together technologists, business leaders, and problem solvers to explore AI's potential. He now helps higher education leaders build AI literacy, focusing on responsible and ethical implementation that enhances human expertise. His work spans healthcare education, business administration, and institutional leadership, always with an eye toward practical applications that solve real problems and elevate the unique skills educators bring to their work. - - - -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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  --------  

  23:52

  --------

  23:52

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About AI for U