The Application with Allison Turcio

Allison Turcio
  • 5.0 (13)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Application is your playbook for the ever-evolving world of higher education enrollment marketing. This podcast zeroes in on the niche, often-unexplored areas of the field, delivering a potent mix of actionable insights, practical strategies, and cutting-edge perspectives. Host Allison Turcio, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing at Siena College, tackles the topics others aren't – from empowering student influencers to harnessing AI. The Application is where uncharted territories in marketing get mapped out, designed to arm higher education enrollment marketers with tools to stay ahead of the curve. This podcast isn’t just about keeping pace with the market – it's about leading the charge. We're here to provoke thought, encourage innovation, and foster a community of forward-thinkers. Whether you're crafting your next campaign or redefining your institution’s marketing strategy, The Application is your essential resource for fresh, innovative approaches in higher education marketing. Get ready to be inspired, educated, and transformed with each episode. The Application is hosted by Allison Turcio and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.

  1. 4D AGO

    Ep. 89: Student Personas: The Journey Mapping Playbook Colleges Need

    In this episode, Allison talks with Day Kibilds, VP of Strategy at Ologie, and Bridget Campolettano, Executive Director of Communications - Arts and Sciences at Dartmouth College, about the bold journey mapping project that transformed how Amherst College thinks about access, communication, and enrollment strategy. Day and Bridget break down how they uncovered four personas that reveal the emotional and informational barriers students face, and how those insights reshaped real conversations and real materials. They also share the early impact, including record numbers of first generation and rural admits, and offer practical advice for any institution ready to rethink its approach from the student perspective. Join us as we discuss:  [2:00] How journey mapping uncovered what traditional research missed[11:52] The pain points that most students want schools to solve[19:14] How admissions counselors use the personas in real conversationsTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “The Application with Allison Turcio” in your favorite podcast player. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Allison Turciohttps://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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    28 min

  2. JAN 27

    Ep. 88: Student Fans: Using Taylor Swift's Playbook for Higher Ed Success

    Allison is joined by Jenny Petty, VP of Industry Relations and Advisory Services at SimpsonScarborough, and Kerri Shook, Owner of ks strategy studio, to discuss rethinking student recruitment and retention by building a fan base. Inspired by Taylor Swift's “Eras” model, UM saw retention climb by 9% since 2018 by focusing on emotional storytelling and experiential branding. They explain how cross-campus collaboration led to new traditions, like the “Freshman Float,” that combat the perception of a lack of campus vibrancy. Learn how to use data to justify this emotional approach, listen to students to co-create experiences, and foster a true sense of belonging. Join us as we discuss:  [2:23] Rethinking student engagement through the lens of Taylor Swift fandom[9:30] How a lazy river float became an orientation capstone for the UM experience[18:34] Co-creating brand with your students and adapting to your audienceTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “The Application with Allison Turcio” in your favorite podcast player. Guest Name:  Guest Social:  Guest Bio:  - - - -Connect With Our Host:Allison Turciohttps://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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    27 min

  3. JAN 13

    Ep. 87: Higher Ed Site Search: Your Enrollment Pulse

    In this episode, Allison is joined by Jeff Dillon, Founder and CEO of EdTech Connect, to discuss a major research report on higher ed site search. Jeff reveals shocking data, including that 92% of schools ignore "no result" searches, a treasure trove of first-party data. He explains why your current site search is a high-risk area for enrollment and how the rise of AI is changing user expectations from a list of links to instant, conversational answers. Learn how schools like TCU are achieving huge gains by focusing on search relevance, how to pitch a site search upgrade to IT, and how to use search data as invaluable market intelligence for campaign planning. Join us as we discuss:  [1:58] The most surprising findings in the report and the biggest barriers to fixing them[11:42] How AI tools can help improve site search and content discovery[19:40] How TCU and Grand Valley State optimized their site searchCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: The State of Site Search in Higher EducationSearch StaxEdTech Connect PodcastTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “The Application with Allison Turcio” in your favorite podcast player. Guest Name: Jeff Dillon, Founder and CEO of EdTech Connect Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edtechconnect/ Guest Bio: Jeff Dillon has more than 20 years of leadership experience in higher education technology, with expertise in search, AI, digital governance, and communication tools. He is the founder and CEO of EdTech Connect, a crowd-sourced platform that helps universities discover and evaluate technology solutions. Jeff partners with best-of-breed software providers to guide colleges toward smarter digital strategies and stronger student experiences. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Allison Turciohttps://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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    28 min

  4. 12/30/2025

    Ep. 86: The Battle for the Movable Middle: Why Smarter AI Creates Smarter Yield Systems

    Are you still trying to out-volume your enrollment problems? More apps, more emails, more FAFSAs? What if the real solution isn’t more noise, but sharper signals? In this episode, Geoff Baird, Founder and CEO of Enroll ML, joins Allison to pull back the curtain on higher ed’s “Category 5 collision” and explains why the old playbook of chasing volume is broken. You’ll hear how application surges can actually hide intent, why the movable middle is where enrollment is won or lost, and how AI is changing the game by revealing hidden behavioral patterns. Join us as we discuss:  [2:38] The  category five storm of forces that’s reshaping higher ed[8:06] How to analyze patterns of behavior to understand student intent[16:13] Unpacking the student decision process and smart AI vs. vanity AICheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: The Signal SolutionTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “The Application with Allison Turcio” in your favorite podcast player. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Allison Turciohttps://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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    29 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    Ep. 85: From “Apply Now” to “I Belong Here”: Personalization That Wins Students

    What if your university’s marketing felt as irresistible as a Spotify playlist? That’s exactly what Lauran Hundshamer, VP of Enrollment and Marketing at St. Catherine University, is building. Instead of relying on tired “apply now” email blasts, her team is delivering personalized portals, layered communications, and behavior-driven outreach that moves students to act. The payoff is clear: campus visits are soaring, engagement is climbing, and enrollment is growing across every program. Tune in to discover the playbook for making personalization a reality on your campus. Join us as we discuss: [4:23] Portals and what an individualized student experience looks like[11:00] Steps to move from spray-and-pray to individualized outreach[21:20] AI tools and surveys that deepen personalizationCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: LoperTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “The Application with Allison Turcio” in your favorite podcast player. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Allison Turciohttps://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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    26 min

  6. 12/05/2025 · BONUS

    AMA 2025 Recap: Part 3 — Reputation, Revenue, and Staying Sane

    In this final installment of The Application AMA miniseries, Allison Turcio confronts three unavoidable realities shaping the future of higher ed marketing. But rather than offering recycled takes, this episode delivers three powerful reframes that challenge conventional thinking and offer clarity amidst the chaos. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Allison Turciohttps://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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    8 min

  7. 12/04/2025 · BONUS

    AMA 2025 Recap: Part 2 — AI and the College Search

    In part 2 of her AMA Mini Series, Allison Turcio dives into the transformative role that AI and social media are playing in the college search process. The conversation centers on a big shift: AI tools and platforms like TikTok and YouTube have become the first stop for many students researching colleges—not your homepage. This episode breaks down what that means for your enrollment marketing strategy and offers tactical advice for evolving your content to meet students where they are. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Allison Turciohttps://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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    8 min

  8. 12/03/2025 · BONUS

    AMA 2025 Recap: Part 1 — Retention as a Marketer’s Job

    In this special bonus episode from the AMA Mini-Series, hosted by Allison Turcio, she dives into one of the most pressing—and often overlooked—topics in higher education: retention. As Allison shares, we can’t out-recruit poor retention. This episode unpacks why student persistence isn't just a student services issue—it’s a marketing, messaging, and promise-keeping priority. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies and fresh perspectives on how enrollment marketers can become key players in student success. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Allison Turciohttps://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! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    8 min
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The Application is your playbook for the ever-evolving world of higher education enrollment marketing. This podcast zeroes in on the niche, often-unexplored areas of the field, delivering a potent mix of actionable insights, practical strategies, and cutting-edge perspectives. Host Allison Turcio, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing at Siena College, tackles the topics others aren't – from empowering student influencers to harnessing AI. The Application is where uncharted territories in marketing get mapped out, designed to arm higher education enrollment marketers with tools to stay ahead of the curve. This podcast isn’t just about keeping pace with the market – it's about leading the charge. We're here to provoke thought, encourage innovation, and foster a community of forward-thinkers. Whether you're crafting your next campaign or redefining your institution’s marketing strategy, The Application is your essential resource for fresh, innovative approaches in higher education marketing. Get ready to be inspired, educated, and transformed with each episode. The Application is hosted by Allison Turcio and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.

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