This week, higher ed felt like it installed a new operating system. AI moved from novelty to utility as Microsoft pushed Copilot and learning tools across academic licenses. Agentic AI also began handling real workflows. At the same time, policy headwinds stiffened. PSLF eligibility tightened, major associations pushed back on a federal compact, and colleges sought relief from a new H‑1B fee. The throughline is speed: technology is accelerating faster than governance, budgets, and student services can adapt. Institutions that align mission, ethics, and execution will keep pace. Those that do not will feel the drag.
Several pieces argue the academic center must shift from short-term credentials to durable wisdom skills and AI collaboration. Leaders are told to anchor AI adoption in human psychology, reduce threat, start small, and scale what works, while cutting through hype with disciplined evaluation. Data is getting sharper as UPCEA’s benchmarking partnership gives COLOs and deans clearer sightlines on enrollment, completion, and ROI. Employers continue to reward verified digital credentials, revealing a visibility gap schools can close by issuing, verifying, and showcasing. The message is coherent: pair human judgment with real data and responsible AI to build relevance that lasts.
On the enrollment front, the winning playbook is shifting from bulk leads to mission-first systems and authentic inbound marketing. Case studies and guides show targeted, full‑funnel ads can fill programs fast. Resilience now depends on diversifying beyond SEO and paid search as AI answer engines siphon clicks. Modern SEO RFPs must reflect how students discover programs across AI, social, and forums. Families still choose belonging through warm visits, guided virtual tours, and bilingual communication. Even seasonal moments like Halloween can drive on-brand engagement and gentle nudges to apply or give. With that landscape in mind, here are the ideas you can act on right now.
Key Takeaways
- AI is moving from pilots to platform: Microsoft’s rollout and embedded agents in enterprise tools signal mainstream adoption. Start with scoped pilots and clear guardrails.
- Curricula must pivot to wisdom skills like critical thinking, ethics, and leadership. Teach students to collaborate with agentic AI across all programs, not just electives.
- Enrollment strategy is mission-first and inbound. Elevate faculty voices, optimize post‑RFI experiences, and build always-on content. Diversify beyond SEO and paid.
- Treat AI visibility as a KPI. Update content for conversational queries, audit answer engines, and modernize SEO RFPs to reflect discovery across AI, social, and forums.
- Employers value verified digital credentials, but few applicants showcase them. Issue, verify, and integrate credentials into recruiting and student portfolios to close the gap.
- Policy turbulence demands proactive advocacy and planning, from PSLF eligibility changes to H‑1B fees and federal funding proposals, paired with clear borrower and campus communications.
Controversial Ideas
It is time to sunset microcredentials and double down on wisdom skills, even if it costs short-term enrollment, because agents will absorb routine tasks.
AI agents should own large swaths of administrative workflows within two years. Staff should be redeployed to high-touch advising rather than protected from automation.
Lead marketplaces and bulk RFI buys are a trap. First‑party, faculty-led content and community relationships are the only sustainable growth engine.
Tightening PSLF eligibility risks politicizing student aid. Some institutions may reconsider certain services or partnerships to protect borrowers’ forgiveness pathways.
PSLF eligibility tightened
The Education Department finalized regulations narrowing which employers qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, implementing a March executive order by President Trump. Beginning July 2026, organizations judged to have a “substantial illegal purpose”, including aiding illegal immigration or discrimination, supporting terrorism, providing gender-affirming care to minors as defined in the rule, trafficking children across state lines, or repeatedly violating state laws, will no longer qualify. The education secretary can make determinations on a preponderance of evidence, such as court rulings or admitted settlements. Employers can respond, appeal, or enter corrective action plans. If removed, they may reapply after 10 years. Payments made before a disqualification takes effect will still count for borrowers. Advocacy groups plan to sue, arguing the policy politicizes PSLF, while the administration says it protects taxpayers. Eligibility, evidence, and timelines are the core issues.
Top Takeaways
- The final rule narrows PSLF employer eligibility by excluding organizations deemed to have a “substantial illegal purpose”, including aiding illegal immigration or discrimination, supporting terrorism, providing gender-affirming care to minors as defined in the rule, trafficking children across state lines, or repeatedly violating state laws.
- Eligibility decisions rest with the education secretary using a preponderance of evidence. Employers can respond, appeal, pursue corrective action plans, and if removed must wait 10 years to reapply, with the rule taking effect in July 2026.
- Borrowers’ payments will count until an employer’s disqualification becomes effective, but not afterward. Multiple advocacy groups plan legal challenges alleging politicization and constitutional overreach.
PSLF eligibility narrows in July 2026 as employers with a substantial illegal purpose excluded. Past payments count. #PSLF #StudentLoans
UPCEA Opposes Federal Compact
UPCEA joined more than 30 higher education associations to oppose the federal Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, warning it would impose federal control over curricula and undermine academic freedom and institutional autonomy. The update urges stakeholders to contact Congress to reject eliminating the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and cutting Federal Work-Study by nearly 40 percent, citing harm to low-income students. It also promotes the 2026 DC Student Summit to equip students to engage federal policymakers. Additional updates include upcoming Department of Education negotiated rulemaking sessions, a VA request for comments on distance education definitions, efforts to exempt colleges from a proposed $100K H-1B fee, and guidance related to the ongoing federal shutdown.
Top Takeaways
- UPCEA is part of a national coalition opposing the proposed federal compact, citing threats to academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
- Contact Congress to oppose eliminating FSEOG and deep cuts to FWS to protect access and success for low-income students.
- Invite students to the 2026 DC Student Summit to develop advocacy skills and share their stories directly with federal policymakers.
UPCEA and 30 plus groups oppose a federal compact risking academic freedom. Save FSEOG and stop 40 percent FWS cuts. #HigherEd #EdPolicy
Targeted Ads Fill Vet Tech Seats
Southern Union State Community College partnered with Advance Education to drive Fall 2025 Veterinary Technology Program registrations by increasing new users, key site events, program page visibility, and sign-ups. A multi-channel plan combined YouTube awareness, display ads, search, and social. YouTube delivered 226+ hours watched. Display drove 2,400+ clicks. Search produced a 19.75 percent regional impression share at $1.35 CPC and 250+ clicks. Social reached 20,000+ users at 4.8 frequency with 1,193 clicks. Results exceeded goals. Program page views rose 476%. Event counts tied to the page jumped 489.5%. Key events climbed 50%. Demand outpaced capacity, prompting an early pause after classes filled, underscoring the power of targeted, full-funnel education marketing.
Top Takeaways
- Layer awareness, engagement, and conversion channels to guide prospects through the funnel and generate measurable lift across visits, events, and registrations.
- Precision targeting can deliver outsized gains even within strict geographic limits, evidenced by a 476% page-view increase and 489.5% event growth.
- Plan pacing and start earlier to manage capacity and preserve flexibility when demand spikes and seats fill quickly.
Full funnel ads filled Vet Tech seats early with page views up 476% and events up 489.5%. Precision wins. #HigherEdMarketing #VetTech
AI for every Microsoft 365 classroom
Microsoft Education is rolling out a broad set of AI-powered teaching and learning capabilities to all academic Microsoft 365 SKUs at no additional cost, with availability starting today and continuing through early next year. The updates span tools for educators and learners, including Copilot Chat, LTI LMS integration, Learning Accelerators, the Learning Zone on Copilot+ PCs (public preview), and Minecraft updates for EU users. In addition, an academic Microsoft 365 Copilot add-on will be offered at $18 USD per user per month for educators, staff, and students aged 13+ beginning December 2025.
Top Takeaways
- All academic Microsoft 365 education SKUs gain new AI features for educators and learners at no extra cost, rolling out now through early next year.
- Key updates include Copilot Chat, LTI-based LMS integration, Learning Accelerators, the Learning Zone on Copilot+ PCs (public preview), and Minecraft updates for the EU.
- A paid Microsoft 365 Copilot academic add-on will be available at $18 USD per user per month for ages 13+ starting December 2025.
Copilot Chat and LMS integration now in all Microsoft 365 Education no extra cost. Add on for Copilot is $18 from Dec 2025 13+. #EdTech #AI
AI centric software frontier
The software industry is entering an AI-centric era, with generative and agentic AI redefining what software is, who builds and uses it, and how companies operate. McKinsey estimates gen AI could unlock $4.4 trillion in annual value, with software firms positioned to capture 10 to 15 percent, and agentic AI likely to speed realization. But value capture is not guaranteed. Competition will intensify, and incumbents face complex new challenges requiring decisive adaptation.
Top Takeaways
- Generative and agentic AI mark a foundational shift that will redefine products, roles, and how software companies are organized and operate.
- Gen AI could unlock about $4.4 trillion in annual value, with software firms capturing 10 to 15 percent, and agentic AI may accelerate the timeline.
- Capturing this value is not guaranteed. Incumbents must move quickly and confront heightened competition and complex new challenges to keep up.
Gen and agentic AI are reshaping software. Worth $4.4T with 10 to 15 percent for software. Move fast or fall behind #AI #GenAI
Waters Transformation Playbook
In 2020, Waters Corporation was losing ground in life sciences instrumentation. New CEO Udit Batra mobilized employees, the board, and other stakeholders to reignite the company’s “indomitable spirit” and execute a transformation grounded in business fundamentals. Drawing on his experience leading major change at Novartis, Merck, and MilliporeSigma, Batra assessed the company’s viability through brand strength, gross margins, and a healthy market with successful players. Five years on, Waters has outperformed larger peers, posting a five-year total shareholder return of 102 percent versus roughly 60 percent for its peer group.
Top Takeaways
- Before committing to a transformation, confirm there is a path to success by validating brand strength, gross margins, and the presence of successful competitors in the market.
- Engage employees, the board, and key stakeholders around a unifying purpose to unlock execution energy and sustain change.
- Focused, fundamentals-driven execution can outpace bigger rivals, as shown by Waters’ five-year TSR of 102% versus about 60% for peers.
Fundamentals win at Waters with 5yr TSR 102% vs about 60% for peers by uniting teams and validating brand strength. #Leadership #Strategy
Boost Enrolment with Inbound School Marketing
Competition for students is fierce, and the most effective schools win by using authentic, inbound marketing. This guide outlines 10 strategies to grow private school and higher education enrolment. Build a fast, mobile-first, SEO-optimized website. Publish helpful blog resources. Tell real stories on social media. Run segmented email nurturing. Create authentic video. Optimize Google Business Profile and reviews. Host hybrid open houses. Invest in targeted ads with retargeting. Offer downloadable guides as lead magnets. Amplify testimonials and word-of-mouth. Focus on localization, clear calls-to-action, consistent voice, and data-driven testing to turn curiosity into tours, applications, and enrolments.
Top Takeaways
- Make your website and content the hub: mobile-first SEO, valuable blogs, and authentic video and social storytelling with clear CTAs.
- Nurture prospects with segmentation, CRM-driven email drip campaigns, lead magnets, and behavior-based retargeting while tracking performance to optimize.
- Build trust locally with an optimized Google Business Profile, active review management, and hybrid events that convert interest into visits and applications.
Grow enrollment with 10 inbound tactics mobile first SEO, video, segmented email, local reviews, events, retargeting #EdMarketing #HigherEd
Mission First Enrollment
The article argues that higher education should abandon bulk lead generation and instead build mission-aligned enrollment systems that create sustainable growth. Competing with national, high-volume players is a losing strategy for most institutions. Differentiation comes from being authentic, local, and niche-focused. Leaders should optimize the entire student journey, especially providing immediate, self-serve value after an RFI, so prospects arrive informed and engaged. Faculty must play central roles as credible voices and content creators. Governance should follow a cybernetic model with real authority, feedback loops, cross-functional accountability, and data-informed iteration. Budgets should shift from lead volume to faculty-driven content, SEO/GEO, community relationships, and course scheduling that supports student success.
Top Takeaways
- Replace bulk lead chasing with a mission-centric strategy that differentiates your institution, improves fit, and stabilizes enrollment over time.
- Engineer the full student journey, particularly instant post-RFI experiences, and elevate faculty as your most credible marketers to boost conversion and retention.
- Adopt cybernetic governance and reallocate budgets toward authentic content, SEO/GEO, community relationships, and scheduling that enables student progress.
Stop bulk leads. Build mission fit enrollment with instant RFI value plus faculty content and SEO for steady growth #HigherEd #SEO #Growth
UPCEA and IDEBP advance data driven online learning
UPCEA announced an exclusive partnership with the International Distance Education Benchmark Project to give member institutions confidential benchmarking, interactive dashboards, and peer comparisons that drive data-informed online learning strategy. By combining public IPEDS data with de-identified, institution-submitted metrics, IDEBP enables leaders to track trends, assess ROI, and support accreditation and continuous improvement. The collaboration targets COLOs, deans, and online strategy teams seeking actionable insights on enrollment, retention, completion, and program performance. UPCEA members receive complimentary access to IDEBP’s national dashboards and discounted membership, reinforcing UPCEA’s role as a hub for research and strategic intelligence in online and professional education.
Top Takeaways
- Exclusive UPCEA-IDEBP partnership delivers confidential peer benchmarking, interactive dashboards, and longitudinal analytics to guide strategy, accreditation, and continuous improvement in online education.
- IDEBP blends public IPEDS data with de-identified institutional metrics for context-rich comparisons. UPCEA members get complimentary access to national dashboards and a 20% discount on IDEBP membership fees for 2025-2028.
- The collaboration equips COLOs, deans, and online leaders with actionable benchmarks and ROI insights to make data-driven decisions on programs, enrollment, and student success.
UPCEA and IDEBP deliver private benchmarking and ROI insights Members get free dashboards and 20% off 2025 to 2028 #OnlineEd #HigherEd
Wisdom Skills for the AI Era
AI is reshaping every role in higher education and speeding change beyond traditional academic timelines, driven by employer demands and institutional competition. This shift affects both content and pedagogy, moving emphasis away from narrow, career-specific certificates toward broad, enduring wisdom skills aligned with Global Skills Development Council priorities. Universities must cultivate leadership, vision, and insight by developing students’ critical and creative thinking, ethical reasoning, and adaptive collaboration with both humans and agentic AI. Preparing graduates for 2030 and beyond means prioritizing deep, transferable capabilities over short-term vocational training.
Top Takeaways
- AI is accelerating transformation across universities, requiring rapid updates to curricula and teaching methods institution-wide.
- Institutions should pivot from narrow vocational microcredentials to durable wisdom skills such as critical and creative thinking, ethical reasoning, leadership, and vision.
- Students must learn adaptive collaboration with humans and agentic AI, with ethics and responsible decision-making embedded across programs.
AI is reshaping universities. Build AI ready grads by 2030 with wisdom skills critical thinking ethics and teamwork with AI. #HigherEd #AI
Leading with AI not fear
Michael Platt argues that we are trying to manage godlike technologies with a Stone Age brain, so leaders must align AI adoption with how people actually think and feel. He urges leaders to frame AI as augmentation, not replacement. Reduce uncertainty through clear, transparent communication, and create psychological safety for experimentation. Upskilling, redesigning workflows to pair human strengths with machine capabilities, and setting ethical guardrails are essential. By running small pilots, measuring outcomes, and iterating with feedback, leaders build trust and competence while avoiding threat responses that derail change.
Top Takeaways
- Position AI as a co-pilot that augments human judgment, empathy, and creativity, with clear use cases and boundaries.
- Manage the brain’s threat response by communicating early, offering choice and training, and rewarding learning to make change feel safe.
- Start with small pilots, measure impact, and scale what works while establishing strong data, ethics, and governance controls.
Treat AI as a copilot, not a replacement. Start small, measure results, train people, set ethics and governance. #AI #Leadership
Universities Pivot to Wisdom Skills
Universities are moving beyond building knowledge toward cultivating wisdom skills as AI and the web externalize memory and routine expertise. Employer demand and competition are accelerating this shift from fact recall and narrow certificates to higher-order capabilities. Agentic AI will handle many frontline tasks, raising the premium on human strengths: critical and creative thinking, ethical judgment, and adaptive collaboration with both people and AI systems. Higher education must integrate these competencies across degrees and certificates, not just in isolated graduate case studies. Doing so protects human leadership, ensures responsible AI use, and keeps institutions relevant. The call to action is clear: redesign curricula and learning experiences so graduates can guide, question, and co-create with AI, embracing lifelong learning to thrive in AI-augmented workplaces.
Top Takeaways
- Shift curricula from information recall and narrow upskilling to wisdom skills that emphasize leadership, ethics, critical and creative thinking, and collaboration with agentic AI.
- Embed these competencies across all programs and credentials, creating authentic experiences where students work shoulder-to-shoulder with AI agents, not just in graduate case studies.
- Move quickly as employer expectations and competition intensify. Launch institution-wide dialogues and continuous learning strategies to ensure responsible AI integration and sustained human relevance.
Agentic AI will take routine tasks. Universities must build wisdom skills across all programs to keep humans leading #AI #HigherEd #Skills
Agentic AI transforms higher education
Agentic AI, systems that can reason, decide, and act with limited human prompting, is moving from hype to practical use in higher education. It extends generative AI with teams of agents, memory, and tool use to execute multi-step goals. Early campus shifts include Michigan’s agentic virtual TA that coaches learners, Ithaca’s Aurora to proactively guide students through administrative tasks, and Stanford’s Virtual Lab that simulates interdisciplinary research teams. Adoption will accelerate via enterprise platforms as Microsoft, Workday, Box, Amazon, and Navigate360 embed agents, enabling automation of structured workflows, for example IT ops and HR onboarding, with less setup than past RPA. Students will soon leverage research agents that traverse browsers and files, heightening the need for AI-first assignment design. The result is less rote work and more focus on higher-order decisions and support.
Top Takeaways
- Agentic AI advances GenAI from chat to action. Multi-agent systems with memory and tool use autonomously pursue goals across academics, administration, and research.
- Adoption will arrive through embedded agents in enterprise tools such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, Workday, Box, Amazon Q, and Navigate360, automating well-defined workflows with lower implementation burden than prior automation.
- Students will use agentic research tools that browse, analyze, and produce end-to-end outputs, increasing urgency for AI-first assignments and assessment redesign.
Agentic AI moves from hype to real use with multi agent tools. Microsoft Workday and Amazon Q embed agents. #HigherEd #AI #EdTech
Digital Credentials Drive Hiring
The 2025 State of Credentialing report shows strong employer demand for verified digital credentials and a gap in their presence on applications. Ninety-one percent of employers look for digital credentials, 86% are more likely to interview candidates who have them, and 63% have hired at least in part because of them. Yet only 46% regularly see digital credentials in applications. The findings signal an urgent opportunity for job seekers to earn and showcase credentials, and for education providers and employers to issue, verify, and integrate them across recruiting workflows.
Top Takeaways
- Employers actively value digital credentials. 91% look for them and 86% are more likely to interview candidates who have them.
- Digital credentials influence outcomes. 63% of employers have hired a candidate at least in part because of a credential.
- There is a visibility gap. Only 46% of applications include digital credentials, creating urgency for candidates to showcase them and for organizations to issue and verify them.
91% of employers seek digital credentials and 86% will interview 63% hired because of them yet only 46% see them on resumes #Hiring #EdTech
Colleges seek H1B 100K fee exemption
Nearly three dozen higher education groups led by the American Council on Education asked DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to exempt colleges from the new $100,000 H-1B petition fee, arguing these workers are essential to teaching, research, patient care, and campus operations. After initial confusion, USCIS said the fee will not apply to in-country status changes or extensions. ACE seeks confirmation this includes F-1 and J-1 holders moving to H-1B, plus assurances on refunds for denials and timely processing. The letter cites DHS authority to grant national-interest exemptions and notes higher ed’s existing exemption from the H-1B cap. ACE also urged USCIS to withdraw a wage-priority lottery proposal, warning it would reduce international student retention and undermine the talent pipeline that sustains U.S. economic and academic competitiveness.
Top Takeaways
- ACE and nearly three dozen higher ed groups want DHS to exempt colleges from the $100,000 H-1B petition fee, citing national interest and higher ed’s critical workforce roles.
- USCIS guidance excludes in-country status changes and extensions from the fee. ACE seeks clarity that F-1 and J-1 conversions qualify, along with refund and processing assurances.
- ACE opposes a wage-priority H-1B lottery rule, warning it would curb international student retention and weaken teaching, research, and patient care capacity.
ACE urges DHS to exempt colleges from the $100000 H1B fee and drop wage based lottery to protect the talent pipeline. #HigherEd #H1B
Cutting Through Agentic AI Hype
Agentic AI, systems built on generative models that can act and execute multistep tasks, has sparked wildly divergent predictions, from a productivity utopia to mass displacement. Amid the hype, the article argues executives must strip emotion from the debate and apply disciplined, critical thinking. While uncertainty is high, the technology’s rapid improvement and substantial economic potential are clear. Agentic AI is poised to transform knowledge work and reshape competitive dynamics, making sober evaluation and preparation essential for leaders.
Top Takeaways
- Cut through hype with disciplined evaluation. Prioritize evidence over promises and make decisions grounded in critical thinking.
- Agentic AI is improving fast and likely to transform knowledge work and competition, so leaders should begin assessing where it could create real value.
- Prepare for uncertainty by building flexible plans and revisiting assumptions as the technology evolves.
Agentic AI is improving fast and will reshape knowledge work. Cut hype use evidence build flexible plans now. #AI #Leadership #Strategy
Families Choose Belonging
This article synthesizes research and new data showing that families are decisive partners in college choice and that trust and belonging are built through human, high-touch experiences. On-campus visits and direct interactions with admissions, faculty, and coaches are the most persuasive influences, especially for first-generation and lower-income families. Well-designed virtual visits extend access when they feel guided and personal. Counselors and college fairs remain trusted interpreters. Fewer families trust AI tools alone. Technology works best alongside empathetic guidance. Above all, clear, affirming, and bilingual communication about programs and processes drives confidence. Institutions that design equitable mixes of in-person and virtual touchpoints create welcoming climates where families can picture their student thriving.
Top Takeaways
- Prioritize warm, well-organized campus visits and face-to-face time with admissions, faculty, and coaches. These are the strongest drivers of family support, especially for first-generation and lower-income families.
- Use virtual visits as equity tools by delivering live, guided, personable experiences for those constrained by cost or travel. Pair them with multilingual materials and human follow-up.
- Communicate with care and clarity, providing timely, bilingual information and leveraging counselors and fairs as trusted guides. Use AI as a co-pilot alongside empathetic human support.
Families drive college choice. Warm visits and guided virtual tours build trust for first gen and low income families. #HigherEd #Access
Modern SEO RFPs for Higher Education
Most higher-ed SEO RFPs still chase Google rankings while students now discover programs across AI engines, social platforms, and forums. This guide shows institutions how to write RFPs that align with modern student behavior and enrollment goals, not vanity metrics. It outlines essential sections, including context, target audiences, current landscape, goals, and a scope that spans technical SEO, content, AI visibility, Reddit SEO, local and global search, analytics, collaboration, and training. It advises sharing a budget range and setting transparent evaluation criteria supported by a scorecard. Common pitfalls to avoid include over-weighting cost, treating SEO as a one-off project, and neglecting cross‑department alignment.
Top Takeaways
- Design your SEO RFP around how students actually search across Google, AI engines, social feeds, and forums, and measure success by enrollment impact rather than rankings.
- Define a modern scope of work that covers discovery, strategy, technical SEO, content, AI visibility and Reddit SEO, local and global SEO, analytics, communication, and training. Include a budget range to elicit relevant proposals.
- Use clear evaluation criteria and a shared scorecard, avoid over-weighting cost, treat SEO as an ongoing function, and align marketing, IT, admissions, and academics early for smooth implementation.
Higher ed SEO RFPs should mirror student search on Google AI social and Reddit. Track enrollment impact not rankings. #HigherEd #SEO #RFP
AI Disrupts Graduate Lead Generation
AI chatbots and Google AI Overviews are now the first stop for many prospective graduate and adult learners, siphoning clicks from traditional SEO and paid search. With CTRs falling and CPCs rising, old acquisition playbooks deliver fewer leads at higher cost. This article explains the shifts and how to respond. Measure and improve visibility in AI answer engines, and diversify so no single channel supplies more than 50 to 60 percent of leads. Pair enduring SEO with pre-validated sources and platforms like Appily Advance to protect the top of the funnel. Update content for AI-era search by targeting long-tail, conversational, intent-rich queries, maintaining quality and mobile readability, and refreshing pages regularly. The goal is a resilient pipeline that connects the right students at the right time.
Top Takeaways
- Treat AI visibility as a core KPI. Run an AI visibility audit for ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews, then optimize so your programs surface in answer engines.
- Diversify lead sources to reduce risk. Ensure no single channel supplies more than 50 to 60 percent of leads. Balance SEO and paid with pre-validated sources, known audiences, and platforms like Appily Advance.
- Optimize content for AI search. Target long-tail, conversational, intent-driven queries, meet Google quality standards, keep pages mobile friendly and updated, and pair SEO with reliable lead sources.
AI answers are stealing clicks as CTRs fall and CPCs rise. Audit AI visibility and keep any channel under 50 to 60% #HigherEd #LeadGen
Halloween social media wins for universities
Halloween offers universities a low-cost chance to boost social engagement, show personality, and build warmth. The strongest posts are rooted in place and heritage, translate research and history into bite-size stories, and trust simple, atmospheric visuals. Student-led Reels of costumes and campus moments create authentic UGC that resonates with prospects. Institutions also use the moment to nudge outcomes, applications, visits, and giving, without a hard sell. Trend riding works when it matches brand tone, with friendly ghost motifs and campus-first scenes. Keep efforts accessible and inclusive, set clear guidelines for student submissions, and align visuals and hashtags to institutional identity. Done well, Halloween becomes a repeatable, on-brand engagement engine.
Top Takeaways
- Anchor posts in your own place and traditions and turn research and history into bite-size stories with simple, atmospheric visuals. Specificity makes content unmistakably yours and increases shareability.
- Center student voices with UGC such as costume walk-throughs and campus reels. A repeatable format with new faces each year keeps it authentic and low lift.
- Nudge goals like applications or giving with light CTAs, and ride trends only when they fit your brand. Prioritize accessibility and clear moderation guidelines to protect inclusion and trust.
Make Halloween an on brand engagement win. Share campus UGC and bite size history to nudge applications and giving. #HigherEd #SocialMedia
Conclusion
Across technology, policy, and enrollment, the pattern is unmistakable. Build human-centered systems that harness AI, measure what matters, and advocate for the conditions your community needs. This week’s stories point to practical moves, pilot agents with guardrails, redesign curricula for wisdom skills, modernize your SEO RFPs, issue verifiable credentials, and invest in belonging-rich experiences for families. Do not wait for certainty. Pick one pilot and one people-first improvement to launch before month’s end. Keep iterating, keep listening, and we will meet back here next week to compare notes.
