About the Episode
About The Episode:
In this special bonus episode of The Pulse from the Engage Summit, host Erin sits down with Kylee Beasley, a content strategist at Southeast Missouri State University, to unpack her very first conference experience at Engage. As a newcomer to both higher ed and conferences, Kylee offers a refreshing, real-time perspective on the energy, insights, and takeaways that make Engage a standout event. From AI in higher education to breaking silos in communication teams, this conversation is packed with inspiration for anyone looking to say "yes" to bold professional growth.
Key Takeaways
- Engage isn’t your typical higher ed conference — it's dynamic, electric, and designed for true connection and collaboration.
- AI isn’t replacing communication—it’s enhancing it. Tools like ChatGPT aren’t threats; they expose inefficiencies and inspire innovation.
- Students AND parents matter. Targeting both audiences in content strategy drives higher engagement and supports enrollment goals.
- Breaking down silos builds stronger teams. Shared experiences and conversations at Engage help align marketing and communication strategies.
- Just say yes. Embracing opportunities outside your comfort zone opens doors to growth, new ideas, and meaningful connections.
What makes Engage different from other higher education conferences?
Kylee Beasley didn’t just attend Engage—she dove in headfirst. New to both higher education and conferences in general, Kylee entered the event not knowing what to expect. What she found was a room buzzing with energy, filled with collaborative thinkers eager to break silos and challenge the status quo. The conversations weren’t dry or redundant—instead, they were fresh, bold, and directly applicable to her role as a content strategist.She highlighted that unlike traditional higher ed gatherings, Engage felt personal and high-impact. From session one, discussions tackled real pain points like team silos and outdated communication norms. The energy wasn’t just exciting—it was contagious. That emotional resonance, combined with tangible learning moments, is what transformed Engage from a “maybe” into a “must-go” for future years.
How is AI being discussed differently at Engage?
AI in higher education was a hot topic throughout the summit, but the narrative was refreshingly optimistic. One standout moment for Kylee was a quote from Dr. Kara Demetrios, who said: “Telephones didn’t stop human communication; they aided it.” This comparison helped shift the conversation away from fear and toward opportunity.Rather than replacing marketers, AI exposes existing inefficiencies. It pushes teams to be more intentional about their strategy and more creative with their content. Kylee emphasized how generative tools like ChatGPT still need a human touch—and that her Gen Z audience definitely isn’t resonating with default templates or robotic language. Bottom line: AI isn’t the enemy. It’s a partner in innovation.
Why is parent communication so important in student recruitment?
Kylee’s day-to-day at Southeast Missouri State involves crafting emails and landing pages for both prospective students and their parents. And for her, parent engagement isn’t just a bonus—it’s a must-have. Data backs it up: parents consistently rank among the highest in open and click-through rates.Ignoring parents in your enrollment marketing strategy means leaving influence—and potential applications—on the table. In the podcast, Kylee shares how her team treats parents as a primary audience, not an afterthought. From content tone to messaging strategy, it’s all designed to resonate with the real decision-makers in a student's journey.
What mindsets should higher ed marketers take back from Engage?
There wasn’t one single idea that defined Kylee’s Engage experience, but several mindset shifts stood out. One of her favorites? The notion that AI hasn’t ruined higher ed—it’s simply highlighted the cracks we’ve been avoiding. That idea alone sparked a series of lightbulb moments for her, particularly around institutional inertia and the dangers of “we’ve always done it this way” thinking.She also mentioned how Engage gave her a chance to connect with other first-timers and reunite with colleagues she rarely works with directly. These relationships, she says, are crucial for dismantling the silos that often hinder collaboration in higher ed marketing teams. The more connected your team, the better your strategy.
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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