How Can AI Improve Enrollment Funnels in Higher Ed

Changing Higher Ed

Gil Rogers, founder and CEO of GR7 Marketing, joins Dr. Drumm McNaughton to discuss the current challenges faced by universities in improving their enrollment funnels, particularly in the context of emerging AI technologies. They share insights on the broken traditional funnel model, demographic shifts, affordability concerns, and reputation issues, addressing how AI can be leveraged to transform enrollment strategies.

Key Discussion Points

Enrollment Funnel Challenges and AI Solutions:

• The limitations of the traditional enrollment funnel model in capturing modern student behavior.
• Inefficient use of human resources in current admissions processes.
• Potential of AI to automate repetitive tasks and personalize communication at scale.

Demographic Shifts and Competition:

• Impact of the impending enrollment cliff on recruitment strategies.
• Increased competition among institutions for a shrinking pool of traditional students.
• Use of AI-powered predictive analytics for targeted recruitment.

Addressing Affordability and Financial Aid:

• Challenges in balancing institutional financial needs with student accessibility.
• Complexity of financial aid processes as a barrier to enrollment.
• AI applications in optimizing financial aid strategies and improving yield management.

Reputation and Value Proposition:

• Growing public skepticism about the value of higher education.
• Need for clear articulation of institutional value propositions.
• Leveraging AI to enhance yield management and re-engage stop-outs and non-completers.

Key Takeaways for Higher Education Leaders and Boards

1. Request an AI strategy from the enrollment management team.
2. Review current admissions staff time utilization.
3. Examine financial aid approaches for sustainability and effectiveness.
4. Develop a plan for staff upskilling in AI technologies.
5. Establish metrics for measuring AI impact on enrollment outcomes.

Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with a call for strategic integration of AI technologies in enrollment management. The experts emphasize the importance of ethical implementation and ongoing refinement of AI systems to address the complex challenges facing higher education enrollment.

Read the transcript on our website: https://changinghighered.com/how-can-ai-improve-enrollment-funnels-in-higher-ed/

#EnrollmentManagement #HigherEdEnrollment #HigherEducation

About Our Podcast Guest

Gil Rogers is a strategic innovator in education technology marketing, serving as a fractional CMO for EdTech companies. With a background in higher education enrollment management and marketing, he has led institutions through record-breaking recruitment cycles. Gil's career highlights include marketing roles at Zinch.com (acquired by Chegg) and the National Research Center for College and University Admissions (NRCCUA), where he advanced digital marketing and data-informed enrollment strategies. As founder of GR7 Marketing, he helps entrepreneurs effectively communicate their services to educational institutions. Known for his energy and enthusiasm, Gil frequently speaks at national conferences on marketing strategy for EdTech startups, leadership, and customer understanding. As a podcast guest, he offers valuable insights into effective marketing strategies and leadership in EdTech, making him an ideal speaker for audiences seeking innovation in this dynamic industry.

About Our Host

Dr. Drumm McNaughton is a higher education consultant who works with college and university leadership, management, and boards of directors to ensure they succeed in their mission.

He is an innovator, strategic management pioneer, accreditation specialist, transformational and turnaround expert, and governance professional with P&L experience in multiple industries, having stimulated transformation that propelled double-digit growth for colleges and universities, startups, and Fortune 500 companies.