New Year, New Who?

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About the Episode:

In the latest episode of The Higher Ed Pulse, co-hosts Seth and Mallory dive into their 2025 aspirations, blending professional ambitions with personal growth goals. They explore how AI is transforming workflows, the importance of intentional leadership, and strategies for balancing high performance with well-being. This lively discussion offers inspiration for education professionals looking to make meaningful changes in the year ahead.

Key Takeaways

• AI Integration is Key: 2025 is the year to integrate AI tools into workflows for better efficiency, cost savings, and scalability.
• Leadership Through Empowerment: Success is a team sport—empowering others leads to greater collective wins.
• Focus on Intentional Growth: Balancing work and personal well-being requires thoughtful planning, proactive systems, and regular reflection.
• Prioritize Self-Care: Rest and preventative self-care are vital for maintaining energy and focus in high-performance environments.
• Get Comfortable with Experimentation: The time for AI experimentation is over; now is the time for implementation and measurable results.

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Episode Summary

Professional Growth: Building an AI-First Organization

Seth shares his ambitious vision for 2025: building an AI agency that ensures his team stays ahead of the curve in an evolving digital landscape. He highlights three pillars guiding this transformation:

1. Education: Providing team-wide access to the latest AI tools and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
2. Augmentation: Leveraging AI to enhance existing workflows, increasing efficiency and impact.
3. Segmentation: Preparing for future innovations that AI will unlock in entirely new business areas.

This strategic approach ensures long-term growth while keeping teams motivated and empowered to innovate.

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Leadership Reflections: Empowering Teams

Mallory reflects on her guiding philosophies as a leader, emphasizing trust, empowerment, and collective wins. She explains how Enrollify is positioned to thrive at the intersection of AI, technology, marketing, and higher education. Her focus for 2025 is on fostering a collaborative environment where team members can shine, all while steering the network toward greater impact and relevance.

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Personal Development: Reimagining Work-Life Balance

Both hosts emphasize the importance of intentional self-care in high-performance environments. Seth shares how he’s structuring his life with healthy constraints, such as prioritizing family time, hiring a personal coach, and exploring authentic relating practices. Mallory, meanwhile, resolves to embrace rest, go off the grid more often, and carve out time for rejuvenating activities like fitness.

• Key Insight: Preventative self-care and mindful systems, such as hiring support staff or simplifying workflows, can create space for personal growth without sacrificing professional responsibilities.

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AI in Higher Ed: Actionable Next Steps

Mallory highlights the upcoming AI Engage Summit as a pivotal resource for higher ed professionals looking to implement AI into their operations. Co-hosted by Enrollify and Element 451, this free, virtual event offers actionable insights for using AI to improve student recruitment, streamline communications, and enhance the student journey. As AI shifts from experimentation to results-driven integration, 2025 is the year to embrace these tools for transformative impact.

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Final Thoughts

2025 presents an exciting opportunity for personal and professional evolution. Whether you’re focused on leveraging AI, empowering your team, or creating more balance in your life, the new year is the perfect time to take stock and set intentional goals.

Ready to make 2025 your year of transformation? Register for the AI Engage Summit to learn how to harness AI for real results in higher education. Don’t wait—start your journey today!

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Connect With Our Hosts:

Mallory Willsea
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

Seth Odell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethodell/
https://twitter.com/sethodell

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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 produced 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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Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

👉🏻 Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st.