Shows
Higher Ed PulseInnovation Starts With UnderstandingIn this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea sits down with Devin Purgason, AVP of Student Experience Marketing and Outreach at Forsyth Technical Community College, to dive into the behind-the-scenes of deploying AI on campus. From building better knowledge bases to turning karaoke into community-building, Devin shares key lessons from the 2024 Engage Summit, his takeaways as an AMA Symposium planning committee member, and his vision for a more human-centered, tech-enabled future in higher ed.If you're an enrollment marketer exploring AI in higher education or seeking practical student success strategies, this episode is packed with...2025-07-2131 min
The Higher Ed Geek PodcastLive at Engage Summit 2025: Why Starting with the Student Still Wins in the Age of AILive from the Engage 2025 Summit, Dustin sits down with Devin Purgason, Associate VP of Student Experience, Marketing, and Outreach at Forsyth Technical Community College. In this insightful and energizing conversation, Devin shares how Forsyth Tech became an early adopter of AI, how they’re integrating it across departments, and why staying grounded in student needs is the key to meaningful tech adoption. From building AI literacy to faculty development and platform implementation, Devin gets real about what works—and what still needs work.Guest Name: Devin Purgason, Associate Vice President for Student Experience, Marketing & Outreach, Forsyth Technical Comm...2025-06-2516 min
AI for UEp. 13: Putting Students First with Devin PurgasonBrian Piper sits down with Devin Purgason from Forsyth Tech to explore how the community college is strategically integrating AI to enhance student engagement, boost enrollment, and deliver better outcomes. Devin shares the innovative ways Forsyth Tech is leveraging tools like AI chatbots, automated workflows, and Microsoft Co-Pilot to create efficiencies while maintaining the human connection that drives student success. This conversation also tackles concerns like AI hallucinations, resource allocation, and how to balance automation with personal interaction to make a meaningful impact in higher education.Episode prompt: Using Claude.ai: Create an app for m...2025-01-3033 min
Admit It, An AACRAO PodcastUse of AI ChatbotsToday, we're diving into a hot topic that's reshaping how we connect with prospective and current students: the use of AI chatbots in higher education.I’m excited to be joined by two outstanding professionals who have firsthand experience implementing and using chatbots to enhance the student experience.In this conversation, we’ll walk through the journey of AI chatbot implementation:Why these institutions decided to explore AI tools and how they selected their chatbots.The process of implementation, from vendor selection to overcoming challenges.The current successes and insights their institutions have gained.And...2025-01-1742 min
Higher VoltageCommunity College — America’s Best-Kept PromiseWhat makes community colleges America’s best-kept secret? Kevin Tyler and Devin Purgason explore the future of higher education, from AI’s role in student engagement to the growing impact of micro-credentials. Institutions such as Forsyth Tech are shaping the future of learning through innovation and personalization.2025-01-1633 minHigher VoltageCommunity College — America’s Best-Kept PromiseWhat makes community colleges America’s best-kept secret? Kevin Tyler and Devin Purgason explore the future of higher education, from AI’s role in student engagement to the growing impact of micro-credentials. Institutions such as Forsyth Tech are shaping the future of learning through innovation and personalization.2025-01-1633 minHigher Ed Pulse2024 Hall of Fame: Devin PurgasonToday's inductee into the 2024 Enrollify Hall of Fame is Devin Purgason, who has explored the future of higher education marketing, equity-focused student support, and transformative approaches to enrollment management across our network this year. Whether you're a higher-ed marketer or an admissions professional, this episode is packed with actionable insights.Check out the full episodes Devin appeared on: Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager - Episode 28 Breaking Silos - Episode 2 The Hidden Gem - Episode 2Key TakeawaysEquity-Driven Marketing and Support:Shift from traditional recruitment models to equity-based, student-centric ser...2024-12-1708 min
Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media ManagerEp. 28: Forsyth Tech's Social Media Secret? Making Students Feel SeenHost Jenny sits down with Devin Purgason, a prominent voice in higher ed social media and engagement strategies, and recent winner of the AMA Higher Ed Marketer of the Year Award, to explore the nuances of managing social media for community colleges. Purgason shares invaluable insights on how to foster authentic connections with students across generational divides, leveraging leadership visibility, and finding unique ways to make a community college’s social media presence thrive. From creative campaign ideas to authentic engagement strategies, this conversation is packed with tips for anyone looking to elevate their institution’s social media game.2024-11-2830 min
Breaking SilosEp. 2: FLOTUS Visits Forsyth Tech Community CollegeIn January, the First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS), Dr. Jill Biden, visited Forsyth Tech Community College’s Campus to celebrate the National Science Foundation’s groundbreaking investment of $30 million in a biotechnology initiative to revolutionize STEM education and workforce readiness. Shane Baglini sat down with Dr. Janet Spriggs, President, and Devin Purgason, Executive Director of Marketing and Student Care, to talk about the ins and outs of planning for a dignitary to visit campus. Dr. Spriggs and Devin outline how their culture of collaboration prepared them for this event, how quickly the event came together, the moving part...2024-03-2741 min
Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO — with Jaime HuntEp. 47: Beyond Marketing: Blending Student Care into Your Marketing StrategiesIn this edition of "Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO," Jaime talks with Devin Purgason, the Executive Director of Marketing and Student Care at Forsyth Technical Community College. The conversation is centered around the unique opportunities that smaller educational institutions present as incubators of marketing creativity, offering a breadth of freedom to explore and innovate in marketing strategies. Takeaways from this episode include:Tips for building a case to expand the oversight of a marketing department to include areas not traditionally within the marketing foldIdeas for explore the unique integration of student care and marketingWays to u...2024-03-0156 min
The Hidden GemEp. 2: Reimagining Student Experience: Integrating Marketing and Student CareIn this episode, we sit down with Devin Purgason from Forsyth Technical College to explore how they've successfully reimagined the student discovery and inquiry stages of the student lifecycle. Devin, the Executive Director of Marketing and Student Care, shares the importance of a holistic approach to the student experience and resource optimization. He discusses how breaking down silos and taking ownership of the student experience can enhance enrollment, satisfaction, and provide valuable customer insights. This episode is a must-listen for college leaders looking to enhance student care and success through intentional, integrated efforts across the institution. Get inspired to...2024-02-2642 minHigher Ed PulseLive from AMA: How ChatGPT Helps You Work Smarter, Not HarderIn this episode of The Enrollify Podcast, Zach Busekrus is joined by Devin Purgason, Executive Director of Marketing at Forsyth Technical Community College, for a discussion on leveraging Generative AI tools to work smarter and not harder. This episode was live recorded at the 2023 AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education.About the Enrollify Podcast Network The Enrollify Podcast is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a p...2023-12-0715 min
The EdUp Experience646: LIVE From Element451's 2023 ENGAGE Summit - with Devin Purgason, Executive Director of Marketing & Student Care at Forsyth Technical Community CollegeIt’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, recorded LIVE from Element451's 2023 ENGAGE Summit in Raleigh, North Carolina
YOUR guest is Devin Purgason, Executive Director of Marketing & Student Care at Forsyth Technical Community College
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
Listen in to #EdUp!
Thank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!
Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio
● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!
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2023-06-2819 min