Why Investing in Generative AI Training Is Critical for Higher Ed Marketing Teams

The era of artificial intelligence is here, and the need for generative AI training has never been greater for higher ed marketing teams. 

Attracting and recruiting prospective students in today’s higher education landscape is no small feat. 

With declining enrollment numbers, shifting student expectations, and intense competition from both traditional and non-traditional institutions, marketing teams are under immense pressure to deliver results. 

Add to this the realities of tight budgets, skeletal staffing, and the constant demand for fresh, engaging content, refusing to adopt AI technology is not really a long-term option. 

Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and MidJourney have revolutionized the way marketers operate, offering innovative solutions to streamline workflows, reduce costs, and save valuable time. 

By automating routine tasks, jumpstarting creative processes, and providing actionable insights, AI empowers budget-strapped teams to amplify their impact without adding extra strain, especially if marketers have invested in generative AI training for their team.

In this episode of The Higher Ed Marketer podcast, Zach Coffin and I delve into the urgent need for generative AI training, sharing how institutions can empower their teams to embrace this powerful tool effectively.

Generative AI Training: The Key to Unlocking New Possibilities

Zach Coffin serves as the director of operations for The Higher Ed Marketer podcast.

Alongside the rest of us at Caylor Solutions, Zach has been on the frontlines of generative AI adoption in higher education. 

Nowhere is this truer than his participation with me in our generative AI training masterclass that I designed to help institutions integrate AI tools into their workflows. 

Zach has been helping me optimize the training content to enable higher ed institutions to better adopt AI technology and not get left behind. 

“Generative AI isn’t going anywhere,” Zach emphasizes. “If you’re a leader in higher education, now is the time to start investing in your team’s understanding of these tools. This is about more than keeping up; it’s about staying ahead.”

Overcoming Hesitation to Use AI Technology 

We understand that many higher ed professionals approach generative AI with skepticism. 

Concerns about accuracy, ethical implications, and job displacement are common. 

However, through the six-hour masterclass we have created for higher ed marketers and admin staff, we’ve witnessed that initial apprehension turn into enthusiasm.

It happens almost every time. 

At the start of a session, 70–80% of attendees have their arms folded. But about two hours in, you see the light bulbs go off. 

By the end, they’re thanking us and asking for more generative AI training.

This aha moment happens because the training sessions help demystify AI, showing participants how to use it as a collaborator rather than see it as a competitor or replacement in the workplace. 

“[AI technology] is not here to take jobs away,” Zach says. “We’re here to enhance what you do, helping you work smarter and more creatively.”

The Structure of Our Generative AI Training Masterclass

Our masterclass is divided into two parts:

1. Introduction to Generative AI:
   • Understanding what generative AI is (and isn’t).
   • Exploring mindset shifts needed to adopt AI effectively.
   • Learning the fundamentals of prompt design to maximize results.
2. Customized Hands-On Training:
   • Addressing real-world use cases specific to the team.
   • Solving problems in real-time using AI tools.
   • Building confidence through practical application.

This combination of foundational knowledge and practical application equips teams to embrace AI with optimism and purpose.

Why Training Matters: Bridging the Gap Between Tools and Talent

Having access to generative AI tools is only half the battle. 

Without proper generative AI training, these tools often go underutilized or misused.

Imagine giving someone a professional camera without teaching them how to compose a shot

The results won’t live up to the tool’s potential. Training is what unlocks that potential.

Benefits of Generative AI Training for Higher Ed Teams

Generative AI training offers several tangible benefits for institutions:

• Enhanced Efficiency: Teams can achieve 10–15 additional hours of productivity each week.
• Creative Empowerment: AI removes the “blank page” problem, allowing professionals to focus on refining and enhancing ideas rather than starting from scratch.
• Scalable Impact: Smaller institutions can compete with larger universities by leveraging AI tools to produce high-quality content quickly.

I’m happy to say that we’ve worked with schools ranging from flagship universities to institutions with enrollments of just 150.

AI levels the playing field, giving every school the chance to achieve extraordinary results.

Building a Culture of Continuous Learning

One key takeaway from my podcast conversation with Zach is the importance of fostering a growth mindset within teams. 

Zach explains how leaders play a critical role in this transformation.

Embracing a growth mindset means realizing that part of our responsibility as senior leaders isn’t just the work that we’re doing, but it is also developing the team around us. 

One of the best things that you can do to retain talent is have a growth mindset within your team. 

People want to be around people who grow. People want to be around people who are energized by the work that they’re doing. 

If you’re a senior leader, and you’re thinking that you have to learn another piece of technology, I just want to encourage you. 

You don’t have to be a master at it, but you do have to be able to encourage your team to become masters.

The most effective AI adoption happens when leaders model curiosity and innovation. 

When a president or VP shows they’re willing to learn, it sets the tone for the entire team.

AI technology is evolving rapidly. 

Institutions need to prioritize generative AI training, whether through internal training sessions, workshops, or partnerships with firms like Caylor Solutions.

The Best Time to Begin Is Now

If you’re ready to invest in generative AI training, start small. 

I recommend opening ChatGPT today and experimenting with prompts. 

Treat it like a smart intern. The more you interact with it, the better results you’ll get.

Generative AI isn’t just another technology trend—it’s a revolution. 

Equip your team now, and you’ll be prepared for whatever comes next!

To hear my full discussion with Zach on these topics and more, listen to the podcast episode on The Higher Ed Marketer.

Want to learn more about our Generative AI Masterclass?

Ready to begin saving time, crafting more content, and enhancing your enrollment results—all without increasing your staff size?

Then check out the Generative AI Training Masterclass Zach and I have been talking about!

Our 6-hour masterclass is typically broken into two days, with three hours of training each day for you and your team. 

Day 1 is focused on AI best practices, basic/advanced prompt design, the best AI tools, and lots of time for Q&A. 

Then, on day 2, we spend quality time with your team workshopping “real-life” use cases..

Get ahead of the curve! There’s never been a better time to get the training you need to get the early-adopter advantage. 

Contact us today and let’s talk about getting an AI masterclass on the calendar for you and your team!

---

Market More. Spend Less.

Set yourself free from your shrinking marketing budget with my popular ebook Marketing on a Shoestring Budget! This ebook is jammed with practical ways to produce high-quality marketing on the cheap.

Inside, I’ll show you proven marketing tactics like…

• How to leverage low-cost technologies to reach your target market,
• How to craft a content marketing strategy on a bare-bones budget,
• The number one thing your website needs to do,
• The key to getting free, organic traffic to your website, and more.

No hype. No pie in the sky. Just real solutions for getting the job done with the budget you’ve got.

Download your copy today!

Featured image by Kateryna via Adobe Stock