About the Episode
About The Episode:
In this special bonus episode of Higher Ed Pulse, recorded live at the Engage Summit, host Carrie sits down with Carrie Pitts-Densmore. Together, the two Carries unpack how to lead through rapid transformation, especially when it comes to adopting AI in enrollment operations. With themes of adaptive curiosity, culture change, and practical tech solutions, this episode offers a refreshing and actionable take on what it means to lead with purpose in a time of disruption.
Key Takeaways
- Adaptive curiosity is a must-have leadership trait in fast-moving, tech-driven environments.
- AI can help institutions manage increasing enrollment without requiring proportional staffing increases.
- Culture change is harder than learning new tech—and it must be championed from the top down.
- Empowering teams to “try and see” creates a safe environment for innovation and experimentation.
- AI tools like automated transcript readers are already saving admissions teams hours of manual work.
- The future of AI in education isn't human vs. machine—it’s about connection and complementing one another.
Carrie Pitts-Densmore believes that effective leadership in the age of AI starts with fostering a culture of adaptive curiosity. This means giving teams the space—and safety—to explore, experiment, and even fail without fear. As she puts it, “It’s all changing so quickly… so I just want them to feel like they can innovate and do that without judgment.”Rather than trying to slow things down or resist innovation, Carrie encourages her team to ride the wave. She frames AI not as a threat but as a way to reclaim time. That mindset has allowed her team to stay energized, resilient, and focused on meaningful work despite the fast pace of technological change.
With a 40% enrollment increase over two years—and no equivalent growth in staffing—Carrie’s team faced a clear challenge: how to serve more students without burning out. AI became part of the answer. Through tools like Element, they’ve automated responses to common student inquiries (think: “What are your office hours?”), freeing up human staff to focus on higher-value conversations.
More recently, a new AI-powered transcript reader was introduced—saving the admissions team 3–5 minutes per application. That small change adds up fast and illustrates a larger point Carrie makes: AI isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about giving teams back time and headspace to focus on what matters most—students.What role does culture play in successful AI adoption?“
Culture is harder to change than technology,” says Carrie—and she’s right. Adopting AI isn’t just a tech upgrade; it requires a mindset shift. Her approach centers on a single guiding question: Does this make our students’ lives better? If the answer is yes, it’s worth exploring. If not, it’s okay to walk away.This philosophy empowers her team to make thoughtful decisions without getting caught in hype cycles. Carrie also reinforces that it's okay to pivot when new information comes to light. Change management, in her view, isn’t a checklist—it’s an ongoing commitment to growth, experimentation, and staying anchored in mission.
Carrie Pitts-Densmore’s candid reflections from the Engage Summit offer a powerful reminder: adopting AI isn’t just about implementing the latest tools. It’s about leading people through change, creating space for curiosity, and constantly refocusing on student success.
Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea
About 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!
Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.
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.
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