Session Description
The higher education industry is more complex and competitive than ever. From declining demand to increasing supply, increasing price pressure and declining consumer confidence in the degree, colleges and universities have found themselves at a crossroads.

And it is at these crossroads where we begin our AI Engage Summit.

Led by enrollment marketing expert Seth Odell, the conference’s opening keynote brings a fast-paced, info-pact conversation around the state of our industry today, laying the foundation for two-days of industry-leading talks on how artificial intelligence is perfectly poised to disrupt the worlds of enrollment marketing and student engagement.

But when it comes to AI, not all that glitters is gold, and when it comes to the health of higher education, not everything is as obvious as it seems.

So join us as we unpack and disentangle the nuanced nature of “innovation” in education and provide a platform from which we can collectively engage over two days of talks that will leave you itching to execute and ready for more.

Presenter: Seth Odell
Founder and CEO, Kanahoma
Host of Higher Ed Pulse

Widely considered one of the industry's leading enrollment marketing experts, Seth brings over 15 years of education marketing experience at some of our sector's top organizations, including Southern New Hampshire University, UCLA, National University System, and more. Today, he is Founder and CEO of Kanahoma, the fastest growing digital marketing agency in higher education.

Session Description
As the landscape of higher education evolves, companies are playing a pivotal role in delivering flexible and accessible learning options for today's working professionals. By working with private partners, universities are enabling workforce education through tuition benefits, while also expanding access to short-form, non-credit academic programs that focus on immediate skill development. This session will explore how these trends are reshaping the concept of the 'traditional' student, aligning education with the demands of a rapidly changing job market.

Presenter: Dr. Ray Lutzky
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Element451
Host of Mastering the Next

Dr. Ray Lutzky is a higher education leader with 20+ years of exprience expanding the reach of the world's most innovative universities. He is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Element451, the leading AI-powered, all-in-one student engagement CRM platform. He previously served as Vice President at Academic Partnerships, one of the largest online program managers in North America, and as Director of University Partnerships at InStride, a global provider of strategic workforce education for companies founded by Arizona State University (ASU). Dr. Lutzky teaches graduate courses at NYU Tandon School of Engineering and USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in user experience design and digital media management, and is also a volunteer lecturer for the Ukraine Global Faculty. His work in enrollment management and admissions encompasses leadership positions at Cornell University, NYU, Pace University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Dr. Lutzky earned his PhD in Communication and Rhetoric from RPI, and master's degrees in digital media from Syracuse University and ASU.

Session Description
Explore five key strategies for leading AI-driven change on your campus, grounded in proven change management theories. Focusing on the unique challenges of enrollment marketing, Carrie will use real-world case studies to demonstrate how to guide your team in exploring AI, overcoming the hurdles of new technology, and implementing solutions that propel your institution forward. Whether you’re looking to enhance student recruitment efforts or optimize your enrollment marcomm strategies, this session will equip you to lead successful, AI-powered initiatives—all while applying foundational change management principles to ensure smooth transitions and lasting impact.

Presenter: Dr. Carrie Phillips
Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, University of Arkansas, Little Rock
Course Instructor of Lessons in Leadership

Dr. Carrie Phillips is the Chief Communications & Marketing Officer at UA Little Rock, where she excels in telling the university’s incredible story. Blending creativity with analytical prowess, Carrie is driven by a deep curiosity to solve challenges in higher education. With a doctorate from Texas Tech University, where she focused on how regional public universities use marketing efforts to address the enrollment cliff, Carrie brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this course.

Session Description
Dive into the transformative potential of predictive analytics to impact your enrollment marketing and drive better student engagement. This session will explore how behavior-based data can reduce bias and lead to more equitable outcomes, while also providing a glimpse into the evolution of Element451’s technology stack. Discover how we leverage AI to turn data into actionable insights that improves student success. Whether you’re passionate about data, AI, or education, this session offers valuable perspectives at the intersection of these critical areas.

Presenter: Jamie Boggs
Senior Engagement Analyst, Element451
Host of The EduData Podcast

With over fifteen years of dedicated service directly to college students on various campuses, Jamie seamlessly transitioned his talents to the higher education partner space.

Presenter: Timothy Davis
Engagement Analyst, Element451
Host of The EduData Podcast

Starting in digital marketing and content management, Timothy made a mark in boosting inquiry yield and optimizing web presence. His roots as a website developer and admin set the stage for diving into data.

Session Description
Explore how the team at Siena harnessed AI to craft personalized communications that resonate with students and parents throughout the college search and decision-making process. You'll gain insights into specific AI-driven tactics we've implemented to tailor messaging and enhance engagement. Whether you're looking to refine your current strategies or explore new possibilities, this talk will provide you with actionable examples and lessons learned from our journey with AI-powered personalization.

Presenter: Allison Turcio
Assistant Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, Siena College
Host of The Application

Allison Turcio, Ed.D., is Assistant Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing at Siena College, a marketing professor, freelance marketing consultant, host of The Application Podcast, and publisher of the Higher Education Marketer's Digest. She is known for her innovative and student-centered approach to college-wide marketing, market research, and enrollment communications efforts. The Siena team and their partners have won numerous awards, including a Best in Show Educational Advertising Award and AMA's inaugural Emerging Marketer in Higher Education Award She is a frequent presenter at industry conferences, including American Marketing Association’s Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education, eduWeb and others. She serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing. Allison was selected for the Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 and Siena College’s Excellence in Administration award in 2020. She holds a doctorate degree in higher education leadership from Northeastern University, a master’s in communications and bachelor’s in English.

Session Description
While AI excels in many areas, crafting the perfect email is still a challenge — but it doesn’t have to be. In this session, you’ll discover how to craft emails that get noticed and read. You’ll learn how to write compelling subject lines, structure sentences for optimal readability, and strategically use links and buttons to boost click-through rates — all with the help of AI. Discover an effective method to ensure your emails will be read, using a blend of human insight and AI assistance, and based on proven email reading patterns.

As an exclusive bonus, attendees will gain access to a custom GPT based on the principles in Mailed It!, empowering you to write emails that get results, whether you’re drafting them yourself or prompting your AI tool to do the heavy lifting.

Presenter: Dayana Kibilds
VP of Strategy, Ologie
Host of Talking Tactics

Dayana is strategy director at Ologie, an employee-owned marketing and branding agency built for education. Prior to Ologie, Day led enrollment and digital innovation work at Penn State, Cornell and Western (Canada). She regularly speaks about enrollment marketing, email strategy, productivity and stakeholder management at conferences worldwide. Day is the host of Enrollify's Talking Tactics podcast, and is co-authoring a book about email to be released in spring 2024. As a lifelong immigrant who has lived in six different countries, equity and diversity are really important to her. She sees content as a tool for equity, and part of her motivation to work in higher ed is to help students access the educational institutions they deserve to be a part of.

Presenter: Ashley Budd
Senior Marketing Director, Cornell University

Ashley is a senior marketing director at Cornell University. She works remotely for the university from her hometown Saratoga Springs, where she lives with her partner, daughter, and two beloved peach trees.

Session Description
Join Ardis Kadiu for an insightful exploration into building an AI-centric student journey—where every step of the way, from discovering the right program to navigating the complexities of college life, is seamlessly guided by AI. By addressing the key challenges in higher education, we create a more personalized, efficient, and supportive environment that empowers students to succeed.

In this keynote, we’ll uncover how AI is transforming every interaction between students and their institutions, ensuring that every decision is informed, every experience is meaningful, and every student feels truly valued. Discover how AI is not just enhancing the student journey but reshaping it to foster greater engagement, success, and satisfaction.

Presenter: Ardis Kadiu
Founder and CEO, Element451
Host of Generation AI

Ardis Kadiu is the CEO and founder of Element451, the intelligent admissions marketing and CRM platform. Element451 grew out of Ardis’s passion for creating solutions that empower admissions and enrollment teams to work more efficiently as they develop stronger, more personalized engagements with prospective students. AI and great design are two of the most important ingredients at the core of any great user experience.

Session Description
Join us for an insightful discussion with current college students as they share their experiences with AI on campus. Our panelists will explore how AI-powered tools influence their engagement with campus life, highlighting both the benefits and challenges they’ve encountered. Through real-world examples, they’ll offer unique perspectives on the innovative and ethical uses of AI in higher education, and how these technologies are shaping their overall college experience.

Moderator: Eddie Francis
Founder, Edify Ventures
Host of I Wanna Work There!

Eddie Francis, a brand strategy consultant, award-winning broadcaster, podcaster, and speaker, is driven by the deep belief in the importance of being valued. As the founder of Edify Ventures, a consultancy focusing on personal and employer branding, Eddie hosts "I Wanna Work There!" on employer branding in higher education and "For Our Edification" on personal leadership. With a background in radio, including hosting the "HBCU Lifestyle Podcast," Eddie's contributions extend to various platforms, earning him recognition as one of New Orleans Magazine's "30 People to Watch." In higher education, he played pivotal roles in brand identity, communications, and enrollment growth. As a speaker, Eddie shares leadership insights with college students and has contributed to the book "Leadership to Letters." Eddie holds a Master of Professional Studies in strategic leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication. Proudly affiliated with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., he is the husband of Dr. Halima Leak Francis and the father of Stevie.

Session Description
Modern students expect their university experience to mirror their digital lifestyle: immediate, personalized, and available 24/7. This session explores how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing service delivery across academic affairs, student life, administrative services, and support functions to drive meaningful student engagement. We'll examine how institutions can deploy AI technologies to create an interconnected ecosystem that not only meets Gen Z expectations for seamless service but actively promotes student connection and involvement across all touchpoints of their academic journey.

Attendees from all university verticals will gain practical insights on how to evolve their service delivery model to meet modern expectations while fostering deeper student engagement and connection to their institution.

Presenter: JeanCarlo (J.C.) Bonilla
COO and Head of AI at Element451
Host of Generation AI

Dr. JeanCarlo (J.C.) Bonilla is an executive leader in educational technology and artificial intelligence, serving as COO and Head of AI at Element451. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in next-generation data products, AI innovation, and global analytics solutions. At Element451, he drives organizational scaling and leads the company's AI practice, pioneering advances in AI-driven student engagement solutions. Previously, as Global Chief Analytics Officer at VaynerX, he led measurement and advanced analytics practices worldwide. His experience includes senior management at DataKind, overseeing 200+ data science projects, and leadership roles at NYU, where he currently teaches Applied Data Science as faculty. Dr. Bonilla holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems, and both Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Electrical Engineering from New York University.

Session Description
Explore how the combined power of content, AI, and data can transform student engagement in higher education. This session will dive into the art of crafting content that truly resonates with today’s students, driving deeper and more meaningful connections. You’ll gain insights into building data-driven, GPT-powered student personas that enable personalized and effective communication. Additionally, the session will reveal AI-driven strategies for monitoring and supporting student performance, ensuring timely interventions that boost retention and overall student success. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of how these tools can work together to enhance your institution’s engagement efforts.

Presenter: Brian Piper
Director of Content Strategy and Assessment, University of Rochester
Host of AI for U

Brian Piper is an author, international keynote speaker, and consultant. Brian has been optimizing digital content since 1996. He has created online training programs for hundreds of companies including Xerox, L3Harris, IBM, and Volvo, and has spoken at hundreds of conferences and events. Brian has spent the last eight years focusing on data analytics, digital marketing, and content strategy. Since 2021, he has been diving into AI, web3, community building, and the metaverse. Brian wrote Epic Content Marketing for Higher Education and co-authored the second edition of Epic Content Marketing with Joe Pulizzi. He is a contributing author and co-editor of The Most Amazing Marketing Book Ever with Mark Schaefer and a co-author of The Content Entrepreneur with Joe Pulizzi. Brian was named one of the top 10 higher education marketers to follow in 2023. When he’s not creating data visualizations, he teaches wingsuit skydiving and spends time with his wife and six children.