Welcome to AiM Higher: East Coast AI Conference at UD, a dynamic, solutions-driven conference crafted for higher education leaders eager to transform the future of academia through AI innovation.

AiM Higher 2025 was a dynamic, solutions-driven conference for higher education leaders working to transform the future of academia through AI innovation.

Hosted by the University of Delaware in June 2025, the conference served as a powerful call to action for East Coast institutions to come together, strategize, and build a shared vision for AI in higher education.

AiM Higher was more than a conference — it was a hands-on, collaborative experience designed for executives, administrators, faculty, and staff. Over three days, participants engaged in strategic dialogue, built practical tools, and advanced policy conversations that will shape the future of AI in academia.

This was not a sit-and-listen conference. Attendees developed actionable strategies, built real-world solutions, and left with a renewed commitment to responsible, creative AI implementation across their institutions.

What We Accomplished

At AiM Higher, attendees:

✅ Participated in cross-institutional collaboration for AI strategy and resource development

✅ Developed real-world AI solutions to enhance student outcomes and operational effectiveness

✅ Explored implementation strategies for AI in teaching, learning, research, and administration

We moved beyond AI’s potential — and into action.

The Story behind AiM Higher

AiM Higher: East Coast AI Conference at UD was born from a simple yet powerful idea: higher ed professionals need more than inspiration — they need hands-on experiences and actionable strategies for integrating AI into their institutions. Jevonia Harris, Educational Software Engineer, saw the gap firsthand at AI conferences that sparked curiosity but left attendees unsure how to apply what they’d learned. She planted the seed — an event where educators and staff wouldn’t just discuss AI, but would build, test, and implement real solutions.

With this vision in mind, she shared her idea with Erin Sicuranza, Director of Academic Technology Services, and Molly Thomas over lunch, igniting a conversation that quickly evolved into something bigger. Erin, initially hesitant about the logistics, challenged the team to prove it could be done.

That challenge turned into a movement.

ATS formed a core team that grew over time, including a finance specialist from UDIT and a strategic partnership with the Lerner College of Business. This dynamic and dedicated group from the University of Delaware came together, each bringing their expertise to shape an event unlike any other. Partnerships formed, a strategic framework emerged, and AiM Higher became a reality — a conference designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

AiM Higher is set to redefine how institutions approach AI.

If you’re ready to move beyond the AI hype and into real-world application, this is the event you’ve been waiting for.

The University of Delaware & AI Innovation

The University of Delaware is at the forefront of AI innovation in higher education, not only by hosting the AiM Higher Conference but through ongoing initiatives that shape AI’s role in teaching, research, and student success. From the AI for Teaching and Learning Working Group to the AI Center of Excellence, UD is building a framework for responsible and impactful AI adoption. Explore UD’s AI efforts to see how the university is driving meaningful AI integration:

🔹 UD Study AiDE

🔹 AI Center of Excellence 

🔹 AI for Teaching and Learning Working Group