Skip to content

About the Episode

The what's what...

This fast-paced show drops listeners into a compelling conversation about higher education. In Your Element asks innovative leaders about the challenges, wins, and future of everything from meeting enrollment numbers to equity in education.

Nik Higgins, Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer at The Ambassador Platform (TAP), sits down with host Eric Stoller to chat about the biggest challenges and innovations happening in higher ed. Together they discuss:

  • What is an Experience Communication Management (XCM) platform?
  • How harnessing the authenticity of a current student experience can be a solution to higher ed’s biggest issues
  • Why peer-to-peer experience-based tools provide equity for students from underrepresented communities
  • How the pandemic has upped the pace of adoption in digital transformation
  • How universities and colleges can benefit from technologies used in other sectors

About the Podcast

Daniella Nordin

Host

Daniella Nordin

Daniella Nordin is a marketing and communications leader with over 15 years of experience specializing in higher education marketing and engagement. In her role as Director of Customer Success and Engagement at Element451, she leads a team dedicated to ensuring exceptional customer experiences. With a focus on collaboration and communication, Daniella builds bridges between customers and internal teams, ensuring alignment and driving outcomes that exceed expectations. Her leadership has been instrumental in implementing marketing strategies that drive growth and increase visibility and influence. Daniella holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from The Ohio State University and a Master’s, also in Communications, from the University at Albany, SUNY. She is committed to staying at the forefront of industry trends and best practices in higher education marketing and engagement. She thrives on the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and is driven by her passion for helping colleges and universities achieve their goals.

Brendan Henkel

Host

Brendan Henkel

Brendan Henkel is a dynamic force in the tech and education sectors, leading as the Manager of Solutions Engineering at Element451 with a unique flair for merging technology with learning. Not only is he a seasoned expert with 13 years in higher education, but Brendan is also the undisputed Disney nerd in his circles, bringing joy and insights with a touch of magic. In his illustrious career, particularly his 10 years on the institution side, Brendan has mastered the nuances of enrollment management and financial aid, shaping futures with his strategic acumen. His philosophy is simple yet profound: create welcoming spaces and prioritize understanding others. This approach has been the bedrock of his ability to foster lasting, fruitful partnerships. Brendan's superpower lies in his dedication to building personal connections, believing them to be the key to success in any endeavor. Adding another layer to his multifaceted persona is his enthusiasm for AI, positioning him as both an enthusiast and an evangelist in this rapidly evolving field. With a master's degree in New Media Journalism, Brendan seamlessly blends his educational background with his passion for tech, Disney, and AI, offering a captivating narrative that's both informative and entertaining.

Nik Higgins

Interviewee

Nik Higgins

Nik Higgins is business founder and executive with a background education and technology. He is a regular public speaker and commentator. Nik is currently Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer at The Ambassador Platform, a technology company which helps education providers more effectively communicate the unique experience they offer to prospective students.

Keep Growing With Us

Join 5,500 other marketers and enrollment managers in wrestling with ideas that will reshape higher education.