Sherri Braxton Castanzo
Deputy CIO for Digital Innovation,
Bowdoin College
Context Matters: Designing AI Strategy for Mission-Driven Institutions
Thursday, October 01, 2026 | 1:00PM–1:45PM MT
Session Type:
Breakout Session
Delivery Format:
Panel Session
As higher education institutions accelerate adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), many are developing strategies to guide implementation, governance, and integration into teaching and learning. However, effective AI strategy is not one-size-fits-all. Institutional mission, culture, governance structures, and student populations significantly shape how AI is approached and sustained. This session presents a comparative analysis of AI strategy development across three distinct contexts: a private liberal arts college; a large, multicampus Indigenous-serving university system; and a comprehensive R1 university recognized for community engagement, contributing to economic prosperity and student success. Panelists will discuss how each institution is developing governance frameworks, aligning AI with institutional learning outcomes, and addressing ethical considerations, including privacy, bias, and environmental impact. Participants will engage with practical frameworks for designing AI strategies that are mission-aligned, culturally responsive, and scalable. By exploring how institutional identity influences decision-making, attendees will gain actionable insights to guide responsible and contextually grounded AI adoption at their own institutions.
