Behind the Agenda: What’s Hot at Engage 2025

About The Episode:

This episode of Higher Ed Pulse on the Enrollify Podcast Network is your exclusive backstage pass to the upcoming Engage Summit—Element451’s flagship event happening June 24–25 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Host Erin Fields is joined by Element451 team members Erin Newton, Danielle Bradley, and Savanna Mcdede to break down why Engage is more than just another higher ed conference. From AI-first strategy deep dives to real talk on cross-functional collaboration, this episode gives listeners everything they need to decide if this is the room they want to be in this summer.

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Key Takeaways

• Engage Summit 2025 is designed for doers — marketing pros, admissions counselors, CRM ops leaders — anyone shaping student experiences in higher ed.
• The event centers on AI-first strategy, real-world applications of tech, and breaking down silos between departments.
• Sessions to watch include:
  
  • Keynotes from ASU and UC Irvine on digital engagement and AI innovation.
  • Partner-led success stories from schools like the College of Western Idaho.
  • Crisis comms in the age of AI and hands-on showcases of AI agents in action.
• This is not a product pitch. It’s a space for learning, sharing, and experimenting together with others navigating AI in higher ed.
• A special registration discount code is available for listeners in the episode.

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Episode Summary

What is the Engage Summit and who is it for?

Engage Summit is Element451’s premier two-day event tailored specifically for higher ed professionals. Taking place this year in Charlotte, NC, it’s built for real-time collaboration and AI-driven innovation. The sessions are designed for marketers, admissions teams, CRM administrators, and student success leaders—essentially, anyone involved in building better digital student experiences. This is the space for professionals who are rolling up their sleeves and doing the real work in higher ed.

What makes Engage stand out is its focus on practicality over fluff. With working sessions, mainstage talks, networking events, and live demonstrations of AI tools, the event is intentionally curated for folks looking to walk away with actionable strategies. Whether you're an AI novice or a GPT power user, Engage meets you where you are.

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What are some of the can't-miss sessions?

There’s no shortage of standout sessions this year. Savanna Mcdede highlights a mini-keynote from Tom Andriola, Chief Digital Officer at UC Irvine, whose institution is leading AI innovation in public education. Expect insights on building a digital campus culture and leveraging AI for scalable, student-centered service.

Danielle Bradley points to sessions led by partner institutions, like College of Western Idaho, that are using Element451 to transform student engagement. These stories go beyond buzzwords to show what digital transformation really looks like in practice.

Erin Newton, who helped shape the summit programming, emphasizes sessions that you won’t see anywhere else — especially a session on AI in crisis communications by Michelle Ehrhardt from University of Memphis and a demo-focused session on working with AI agents. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to manage a digital co-worker, you’ll find this fascinating.

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Why should someone attend, especially if they’re on the fence?

For those worried about budget or unsure about their level of AI fluency, the team had clear messages: this event is for you. Whether you're still copy-pasting email responses or actively deploying AI across departments, Engage is a judgment-free learning zone.

Danielle reassures first-timers and "ChatGPT 101" users that Engage is for all levels of comfort with technology. Erin Newton notes that in a landscape moving this quickly, conversations and community come before case studies. And Savanna adds that this is the space to experiment, learn, and level up.

Ready to Experience the Future of Higher Ed?

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Join the movement at the Engage Summit 2025. With two days of vibrant sessions, hands-on workshops, and a community of fellow bold thinkers, Engage is your chance to discover what’s next in higher education marketing, admissions, and student engagement.

🎟️ Don’t forget to use the code dropped in the episode to get a special rate off your registration at enrollify.org/engage.

Enrollify is produced by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.