Every innovation, from mobile web to social media and digital advertising, goes through the Technology Adoption Lifecycle. Recruitment marketing leaders are no strangers to this concept, as it shapes the tools and strategies we use to connect with prospective students. At INNOVATE 2024, Capture Higher Ed’s virtual conference for recruitment marketing leaders and professionals, Gil Rogers, EdTech advocate and self-proclaimed higher education evangelist, posed the following questions to attendees:
Where are you on the adoption curve with the use of AI? What are your thoughts on direct admissions?
These aren’t just theoretical musings. According to Rogers, higher education is at a crossroads, grappling with two monumental shifts: AI, transforming how institutions operate and interact with students; and direct admissions, rethinking traditional application and processes to improve accessibility and support for students.
During his keynote, Falling Forward is Better than Falling Behind: Lessons from 20 Years in EdTech, Rogers reflects on the challenges of innovation in higher education and shares lessons learned from failed experiments, urging leaders to reconsider their approach to risk.
“Enrollment leaders aren’t necessarily avoiding failure by avoiding risk,” he says, “but rather are willingly heading straight toward the edge of the cliff.”
This is particularly relevant in the context of AI and direct admissions, which Rogers sees as only the latest, pivotal innovations poised to redefine the industry.
Rogers challenges conventional wisdom, blending humor, candor, and data-driven insights to spark fresh thinking. Whether you’re already experimenting with AI tools or exploring new application models, his keynote offers practical advice for navigating the adoption curve with confidence. Watch the session here.
About Gil Rogers
A recognized leader in high ed enrollment management and marketing, Rogers has spent years driving innovation in the education startup space. From breaking recruitment records at the University of New Haven to pioneering data-informed enrollment strategies at NRCCUA and Encoura, his career spans every side of the enrollment desk.
Rogers’ expertise is sought nationwide, and he continues to shape the future of recruitment through his research and thought leadership.
