Why Your AI Strategy Matters More Than Ever – Dan Garcia @ UNM on Staying Ahead in Enrollment

In this episode, Emily Smith sits down with Dan Garcia, VP of Enrollment Management at the University of New Mexico, to unpack the realities and anxieties around adopting AI in enrollment and retention strategies.

Dan gets candid about shifting from if to how to use AI, the outdated tactics to abandon, and the core enrollment fundamentals he’ll never give up. He shares practical strategies for addressing your team’s fears about new tech, increasing cross-campus buy-in, and why human connection remains irreplaceable in admissions.

Key Highlights:

• Which enrollment processes AI truly transforms (and which ones it doesn’t).
• How Dan increased housing applications by 72% with one simple tweak.
• Tackling hidden anxieties within your team about AI adoption.
• Why curiosity and questioning are essential leadership tools at any career stage.

If you’re navigating innovation fatigue or wrestling with how to effectively roll out AI at your institution, this episode offers clarity, actionable advice, and reassurance that you’re not alone.

Watch now to transform how you think about AI, retention, and leading change in higher ed.

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