About the Episode
Got a story to tell? An innovative idea to share? Fill out our guest nomination form and let's chat!
About the Episode:
Allison distills the must-know takeaways from Kosmas Karadimitriou’s keynote on the evolving role of AI in higher education. From redefining AI as a teammate to using it to enhance yield, student support, and team collaboration, this episode is packed with actionable insights for enrollment leaders and marketers looking to stay ahead of the AI curve.Key Takeaways
- AI is no longer just a tool—it's becoming a trusted teammate capable of anticipating needs and collaborating dynamically.
- Generalists will thrive in the AI era by asking better questions and applying insights across traditional functional silos.
- Yield and melt can be tackled with AI-driven microsegmentation, nudges, and predictive modeling.
- Students are already using AI tools in academics; admissions and financial aid need to match that pace in support and communication.
- Don’t wait for perfect—start implementing AI with clear guardrails, review cycles, and human oversight.
How is AI evolving from assistant to teammate in higher ed?
According to Kosmas Karadimitriou, AI is moving from passive chatbot to active collaborator. This means that soon, AI won’t just wait for instructions—it will anticipate needs, adapt to individual workflows, and collaborate like a digital teammate. But to harness that potential, institutions first need to ask: What do we want AI to help us with?
Allison offers a useful jumping-off point with three simple questions to pose in your next team meeting:
- What tasks feel repetitive or time-consuming every week?
- What work gets delayed because it’s tedious?
- Where are we spending more time organizing than thinking?
These insights can help enrollment and marketing teams begin small—with AI tools that lighten the load before scaling across departments.Why are generalists poised to thrive in an AI-powered world?Allison underscores that the most successful professionals in the age of AI won’t be specialists—they’ll be connectors. People who can synthesize information, communicate across functions, and ask smarter questions will lead the charge. She advocates for a mindset of cross-functional curiosity. AI can help democratize institutional knowledge. For example, a financial aid expert doesn’t need to run a crash course for admissions staff when AI can summarize internal docs into easy-to-digest cheat sheets. This builds empathy and understanding across departments—critical for collaboration and student success.
How can AI drive yield and reduce melt?
Kosmas Karadimitriou highlighted some powerful use cases that institutions are already leveraging:
- Chatbots to reduce summer melt (Georgia State saw a 22% reduction).
- Predictive modeling to identify students most likely to accept.
- Microsegmentation to trigger personalized nudges based on behaviors and deadlines.
Allison points out that this doesn’t require creating new content—just delivering existing content at smarter times. The right message, to the right student, at the right moment.
How can AI reshape student support and learning?
80% of students are already using AI for schoolwork, and for many, it has replaced Google. From AI tutors to adaptive learning tools, the support ecosystem is evolving—and fast. Admissions and financial aid offices need to catch up, not just with tech, but with the expectations students now carry. To better align, Allison suggests conducting quick polls or student panels: How are they using AI? What kind of support would they have loved during their college search? That feedback can help tailor more effective communications and support tools.Where should institutions start with AI adoption?Perfect implementation isn't required—progress is. Kosmas Karadimitriou reminds us that while AI lacks a moral compass and depends on clean data, that’s no reason to delay. The key is to start small, build intentional guardrails, and review AI use regularly. Allison emphasizes the importance of ethical use, human oversight, and making room for creative tension in conversations about AI strategy.The bottom line? AI won’t replace you. But someone using it might. That’s your call to lead, not lag.
Connect With Our Host:
Allison Turcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonturcio/
https://twitter.com/allisonturcio
About The Enrollify Podcast Network: The Application with Allison Turcio 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 Mission Admissions.
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.
.svg)
.svg)
