Higher Ed Pulse

Welcome to our first Pulse Check of 2026. In this Part 1, Carrie Phillips sits down with Brian Berry, Vice Provost of Research and Dean of the Graduate School at UA Little Rock. Brian also chairs the university’s AI Council, where he's helping build responsible frameworks for AI governance, policy, and adoption. This isn’t a theoretical conversation—it’s a transparent and practical look at how institutions can integrate AI without losing their soul. From the risks to the opportunities, this episode is a must-listen for anyone shaping the future of AI in higher education.Guest Name: Brian Berry, Vice Provost of Research & Deam of Graduate School, UA Little RockGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-berry-6867039/Guest Bio: Dr. Brian Berry serves as the Vice Provost of Research and Dean of the graduate school at UA Little Rock. Dr. Brian Berry previously served as the department chair for the UA Little Rock chemistry department. He has also served as assistant professor of chemistry since 2008. Dr. Berry earned his Ph.D. in applied science and chemistry, as well as a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from UA Little Rock. He also completed a postdoctoral at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as well as a National Research Council postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology prior to returning to UA Little Rock as an assistant professor. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout 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!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.

Mallory sits down with Dan Sanchez—creator, storyteller, and founder of the AI-Driven Marketer—to explore the limits of AI in higher education. As we step into 2026, this conversation is a timely gut-check on what artificial intelligence can’t do for enrollment leaders. From human judgment to authentic storytelling and culture-building, Mallory and Dan make the case that AI is a powerful tool, but it won’t replace the human element that builds trust, authority, and belonging on campus.Check out the AI Driven Marketer - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout 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!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.

In the final 2025 episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea curates the most impactful AI-focused conversations of the year, featuring expert voices like Soup Campbell, Jeremy Tiers, Jason Smith, Mike Bell, Marina Cooper, and John Carrere. This mashup episode explores how AI reshaped the student journey, enrollment strategies, and campus operations. More than a tech trend, AI became a spotlight—revealing the cracks, contradictions, and opportunities institutions can no longer afford to ignore.Listen to the full episodes:Is Meta’s AI Rewriting the Future of Advertising?Is Your College Showing Up in AI Search?What High School Seniors Really Think About AIInside the 2025 AI Search Trends ReportWhat DC’s AI Executive Order Means for Higher Ed - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout 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!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.

Jake Tolman sits down with senior data scientist and founder of Between the Data, Ben Burke, to explore what it truly means for higher ed project managers to become AI-fluent. This episode unpacks the growing role of artificial intelligence in campus operations and how PMs can harness AI to boost productivity, improve communication, and stay future-ready without fearing replacement. If you’re navigating digital transformation on your campus, this conversation is a must-listen.Guest Name: Ben Burke, Senior Data Scientist, SlalomGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-burke-data/Guest Bio: Ben is a Sr. Data Scientist and AI Engineer consultant developing Generative AI solutions for Fortune 1000 companies. He’s known for his practical, human-centered approach to AI adoption, and for teaching professionals how to partner with AI to improve clarity, collaboration, and decision-making. His business, Between The Data, helps teams using AI 'build the right things'. You can find him on LinkedIn where he posts about AI, team formation, project management, and his family. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout 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!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.

Mallory Willsea sits down with David Weil, SVP for Strategic Services and CIO at Ithaca College, to unpack a bold thesis from his recent EDUCAUSE article. The two dive deep into how AI’s most transformative potential in higher education isn’t found in flashy tools or automations — it’s in building a longitudinal view of the student experience. From data ethics and institutional silos to retention strategies and responsible design, this conversation challenges the status quo and outlines a human-first path forward for AI in higher ed.David's Article: Three Years In: Reflections and Considerations for the Next Chapter of AI in Higher Education - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout 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!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.