Leading AI Adoption: Strategies for Evolving Practice, Models, and Institutional Alignment— February 2026

February 2, 4, 9, and 11, 2026
Online

Event Description

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in higher education, institutions must proactively assess their readiness, develop responsible governance models, and align AI adoption and practice with their mission and values. Join us as we explore best practices for guiding ethical and effective AI integration across teaching, learning, research, and operations. Participants will examine practical frameworks for evaluating institutional gaps, designing scalable and adaptive governance models, and implementing professional development and infrastructure plans that support long-term success.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Evaluate collaborative structures that enable transparency and trust via cross-functional decision-making, transparency, and accountability in AI implementation.
  • Explore professional development approaches and operational strategies that build AI literacy, institutional capacity, and sustainable infrastructure for long-term adoption.
  • Use AI lifecycle frameworks to guide implementation phases — from pilots to scale — including readiness assessments, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement loops aligned with institutional goals and values.
    • Assess existing institutional frameworks and readiness for AI integration, identifying gaps and opportunities for growth across governance, infrastructure, and practice.

Learning alongside a cohort of higher education professionals and leaders, participants will synthesize insights, exchange strategies, and build lasting connections while exploring how transparency, cross-functional collaboration, and iterative feedback can enable responsible, resilient, and institutionally grounded AI integration.

Presenters

  • Justin Barkhuff

    Director of Enterprise Applications, California Lutheran University

  • Christina Baum

    Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Utah Valley University

  • Molly Chehak

    Director of Digital Learning, Georgetown University

  • Jonathan Fozard

    Associate VP & Chief Information Officer, Florida State University

  • Scott Genung

    AVC for IT and CIO, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

  • Shane Green

    Principal Enterprise Architect, Utah Valley University

  • Moriah Kent

    Instructional Designer & AI Implementation Specialist, Auburn University

  • Jordan Lott

    Senior Manager - Technology & Learning and IT Training, Pepperdine University

  • Nathan Pritts

    Faculty Fellow for AI Strategy | Chair, First-Year Writing, The University of Arizona

  • Susan Purrington

    Harold F. Wiley Generative AI Teaching and Learning Fellow, Connecticut College

  • Rachel Schnepper

    Senior Director of Academic and Emerging Technologies, Wesleyan University

  • Rick Upchurch

    Associate Vice President for ELearning and Educational Innovation, Belhaven University