In Your Element

Daniella Nordin and Brendan Henkel
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
In Your Element

In Your Element is where leadership meets real talk. It's the go-to podcast for everyday users and practitioners in the dynamic world of higher education. Each episode is packed with practical tips, best practices, and real-world use cases from Element451 users. We bring in leading voices from the field – from savvy higher ed IT leaders to visionary college presidents – to share their experiences and insights. Our discussions are candid, sometimes diving into the challenges and other times celebrating the triumphs of working in higher ed. Expect to hear about the latest trends, innovative strategies, and the impact of technology—especially AI—in personalizing student experiences throughout the entire student journey. We're not just talking theory here; it's about actionable insights that you can apply directly to your work. Tune in, get inspired. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out in admissions, marketing, or student success, this podcast is your space to thrive in your element.

  1. DEC 12

    Why Every Institution Needs AI Assistants: Lessons From SEMO

    In this AI-focused episode, hosts Daniella and Brendan sit down with Claire Skelton, Assistant Director of Content Marketing at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), to unpack the transformative role AI plays in streamlining student engagement and application processes. Claire shares SEMO’s journey from launching “Sadie,” an AI-powered bot, to creating custom AI teams tailored to unique student populations. The conversation covers everything from optimizing AI responses to designing AI-driven email campaigns, revealing how SEMO is setting a high bar for integrating AI in higher education admissions.

    31 min

  2. NOV 28

    How Penn Highlands went from Spreadsheets to 32% Enrollment Gains

    In this episode, Brendan and Daniella welcome Matt Bodenschatz, Director of Recruiting and Admissions at Penn Highlands Community College. Matt discusses the impactful journey of implementing Element451 and how its powerful CRM tools have streamlined the college’s admissions process, enabled quicker student responses, and significantly boosted enrollment rates. By leveraging features like task automation, milestones, and insights, Matt’s team has moved away from manual, spreadsheet-heavy workflows to an efficient, data-driven system that fosters deeper student connections.

    27 min

  3. NOV 20 · BONUS

    Live at AMA: Outcomes Over Enrollments: A New Approach to Student Retention and Success

    In this episode of In Your Element, recorded live at AMA in Las Vegas, Brendan reconnects with Michael Bettersworth, CMO at Texas State Technical College (TSTC), to delve into critical trends and challenges impacting higher education. They discuss the concerning decline in student enrollment, the importance of aligning educational offerings with workforce demands, and how institutions can adopt a more student-centered approach. Michael also shares how TSTC’s partnership with Element 451 has transformed the student application experience and highlights the need for seamless collaboration across departments to ensure long-term viability in higher ed.

    19 min

  4. NOV 15 · BONUS

    Live at AMA: Aligning Missions to Empower Student Success

    In this episode of In Your Element, recorded live at AMA in Las Vegas, Brendan sits down with Mike Margolies, CEO of NextGrad, and Ryan Barbauld, VP of College Partnerships at NextGrad, to explore the innovative ways they’re transforming out-of-home advertising in higher education. They discuss the value of partnerships in higher ed, how NextGrad leverages billboards in high schools to enhance student engagement, and the impact of collaborative efforts among education-focused companies. Listen in to hear how strategic partnerships and community-oriented approaches are reshaping student recruitment.‍

    20 min

  5. NOV 14

    Smarter Student Support: How USI’s AI-Powered ArchieBot Fills the Gaps

    In this episode of In Your Element, hosts Daniella and Brendan are joined by Brandi Hess, Director of University Web and Digital Content at the University of Southern Indiana (USI). Brandi shares USI’s journey as the first-ever "Bolt-only" partner with Element451, implementing the AI-powered chatbot Archie. She discusses how this tool transformed the student experience by answering key questions, addressing gaps in knowledge, and reducing workload for staff. Tune in for insights into how AI chatbots can solve real student problems while revealing opportunities for improvement in university processes.

    29 min

  6. OCT 31

    Breaking Records: Villa Maria’s Enrollment Boom

    In this episode, Brian Emerson, Executive VP of Enrollment Management at Villa Maria College, shares how the small, Buffalo-based college achieved record-breaking enrollment growth (15% in 2023 and 14% in 2024). From struggling with disappearing students in 2020 to hosting over 1,500 campus visits and increasing applications by over 300 in 2023, Brian breaks down the hands-on tactics and tech-driven strategies that made it all possible. His team’s focus on creating personalized campus experiences and leveraging tools like Element led to remarkable success. Listen in for practical insights on revitalizing recruitment in today’s challenging higher ed landscape.

    35 min

  7. OCT 24 · BONUS

    Live at NCCCS Conference: How Wayne Community College Boosted Enrollment by 11% with Smart Integration

    In Your Element

    17 min

  8. OCT 17

    From Idea to Impact: How Direct Admissions is Shaping Student Success at Southeast Missouri State

    In this episode of In Your Element, co-hosts Daniella Nordin and Brendan Henkel sit down with Lenell Hahn, Director of Admissions at Southeast Missouri State University, to explore the transformative power of direct admissions. Lenell shares the journey from the initial concept to implementation, revealing the challenges, successes, and lessons learned along the way. The conversation delves into how direct admissions is simplifying the college application process, increasing accessibility, and driving enrollment success. With practical insights into leveraging technology and data, Lenell offers a masterclass in change management, showing how institutions can innovate and adapt to better serve students. Whether you’re in admissions, marketing, or student success, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories that will resonate with all higher education professionals.

    26 min
See All (41)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

In Your Element is where leadership meets real talk. It's the go-to podcast for everyday users and practitioners in the dynamic world of higher education. Each episode is packed with practical tips, best practices, and real-world use cases from Element451 users. We bring in leading voices from the field – from savvy higher ed IT leaders to visionary college presidents – to share their experiences and insights. Our discussions are candid, sometimes diving into the challenges and other times celebrating the triumphs of working in higher ed. Expect to hear about the latest trends, innovative strategies, and the impact of technology—especially AI—in personalizing student experiences throughout the entire student journey. We're not just talking theory here; it's about actionable insights that you can apply directly to your work. Tune in, get inspired. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out in admissions, marketing, or student success, this podcast is your space to thrive in your element.

Information

  • Creator
    Daniella Nordin and Brendan Henkel
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Enrollify
  • Show Website
    In Your Element

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada