The College’s AI Academy is a faculty development program I co-lead with Kyle Jensen (Assistant Dean of AI & Emerging Digital Technologies) at ASU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The program is designed to improve AI literacy among faculty, administrators, and staff while fostering sustainable, department-led AI initiatives.

Program Goals

  • Improve generative AI literacy in faculty, administrators, and staff
  • Establish professional learning communities that address AI-related problems through interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Train leaders to create sustainable AI initiatives that improve research, teaching, and operations
  • Form interdisciplinary research programs that yield external grant support

Structure

The Academy convenes monthly from September through April, with each session built around four core practices:

  1. Expert Presentations — Short (<10 minute) presentations introducing participants to key features of generative AI development, maximizing time for collaboration
  2. Professional Learning Communities — Educators committed to improving instructional delivery through continuous improvement, collaborative problem-solving, and response to student performance data
  3. Action Plan Development — Department and school-led projects designed to expand AI implementation in research, teaching, and operations, with regular peer presentations and feedback
  4. Leadership Training & Support — Guidance on identifying, defining, and executing AI-centered initiatives within the ASU ecosystem and in collaboration with enterprise partners

Faculty Projects

Academy participants develop action plans that address real challenges in their disciplines. Examples from the first cohort include:

  • Clinical simulation chatbots (Psychology) — AI-powered role-play tools giving MS Clinical Psychology students practice with therapeutic techniques like Motivational Interviewing, with structured feedback on their performance
  • Scientific writing support (Psychology) — An AI bot helping students with scientific writing in research methods courses
  • Brainstorming and decision-making tools (Human Communication) — Making implicit brainstorming processes explicit for introductory communication students
  • Synthetic philosophy (Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies) — Custom GPT tutors, debate partners, and study guides integrating AI with human research

Impact

The AI Academy was featured by ASU News in March 2026. A second cohort is planned for the following academic year to expand initiatives and adapt to AI’s evolving landscape.