Day 1 

Keynote – Dr. Denise Turley

Embracing the Uncharted: Navigating the Future of Education with Courage, Curiosity and Care

Executive Leadership Track

Change Management and the Challenge of Change

Dr. Denise Turley
Dr. Wendy Smith

Opening Session for AI Makerspace, Operational Excellence & Administrative Strategies, Academic Research & Pedagogy Tracks

Elevation: Measured in People

Rachel Lapp, University of Delaware

Elevation: Measured in You was a hands-on, collaborative session that kicked off the AiM Higher Conference by tackling a real-world AI challenge in higher ed. Participants first connected with peers in similar roles—faculty, IT, leadership, or student support—to explore how their teams would respond. They then remixed into cross-functional groups to uncover blind spots and share perspectives. Designed around the idea of moving just +1 level higher on the scale of working together, the session offered practical tools and better questions to bring back to campus—because real progress with AI isn’t about tools or policies. It’s about people. And it started with you.

AI Makerspace Track

Laying the Foundation & Scouting the Terrain

Jevonia Harris, University of Delaware
Joe Naccarato, University of Delaware

This full-day session welcomed participants to the AiM Higher Conference with an interactive introduction to AI—clarifying what it is (and isn’t), exploring its potential applications, and preparing digital tools for the journey ahead. In the afternoon, attendees examined the unique challenges facing higher education, identified meaningful opportunities for AI integration, and formed project teams to begin charting their AI solutions.

Operational Excellence & Administrative Strategies Academic Research & Pedagogy Tracks

Operational Excellence & Administrative Strategies

Efficiency Meets Empathy: AI in Student Services
This panel explored how student service offices are using AI to streamline operations, enhance the student experience, and identify at-risk students—while addressing ethical considerations and preserving the human connection essential to student support.
Moderator: Dr. Yosmeriz Roman, University of Delaware
Panelists: Michael Fernbacher, Ed.D, Joy Allison, Rhina El-Amin M.S., Director, Undergraduate Education and Innovation, SNF Paideia Program, University of Pennsylvania, Carol Tonge Mack, University of Cincinnati/CEO & Founder of Tonge Mack Enterprises, LLC

Harnessing AI for Operational Excellence and Administrative Strategy in Academic Affairs
This session explored how AI is reshaping the academic workplace, with a focus on improving operations without raising costs. Panelists shared real-world examples, ethical considerations, and practical strategies for implementing AI in teaching, research, and administrative processes across academic affairs.
Moderator: Matt Kinservik, University of Delaware
Panelists: Jennifer Graber, University of Delaware, Randy Oswald, University of Delaware, Maria Barefoot, University of Delaware, Meghan Killeen, Temple University, Mark Clodfelter, University of Delaware

Academic Research & Pedagogy

AI for Every Learner: Multilingual Support and Student-Centered Toolkits
This collaborative case study showcased how Kyron Learning enhanced multilingual learner engagement in AI-integrated environments.
Facilitator: Meghan Killeen, Curriculum & Assessment Specialist,Temple University

AI Use Case: Students Build an AI Toolkit for Inclusive and Effective Learning
This session highlighted how student interns with Every Learner Everywhere helped bridge the AI knowledge gap in higher education by developing a practical, accessible AI toolkit for faculty and students. The student-led project combined tool curation with real-world research on AI use in classrooms, offering insights into faculty challenges, student strategies, and ethical considerations for future-ready learning.
Facilitator: Emilie Cook, Every Learner Everywhere

Managing Group Work with AI: A Professional Writing Case Study
This session showcased how a redesigned professional writing course used AI-assisted processes to support student group projects. It highlighted practical strategies for integrating AI to manage tasks, roles, timelines, and communication—while addressing the human challenges of collaboration.
Facilitator: Dalyn Luedtke ,PhD, Norwich University

Faculty Are Allowing Generative AI in Their Courses! Now What?
This session introduced a Generative AI Quick-Reference Guide designed to support faculty and students in courses where AI use is permitted. The presenter shared the guide’s development, key features, and how it helps clarify expectations, citation practices, and tool basics. Attendees received a downloadable version to adapt for their own institutions.
Facilitator: Valerie Bloom, International Institute for Restorative Practices Graduate School

Closing the Response Gap: How Fordham’s AI Think Tank Transforms Off-Hours Student Engagement 
This session showcased a practical AI prototype developed at Fordham University to address gaps in student engagement and responsiveness. Originating from an internal AI Think Tank, the project used off-the-shelf tools to create a solution for answering student inquiries more effectively—especially those not covered by standard FAQs—helping institutions stay competitive in a challenging admissions landscape.
Facilitator: Kevin Muller, Fordham University

Better Feedback, Together: Co-Building a Post-AI Classroom with BoodleBox
This session demonstrated how collaborative AI tools, including a feedback bot built with BoodleBox, were used to support formative feedback and enhance teaching practices. Presenters shared real use cases from multiple institutions and highlighted how one university expanded its adoption. Attendees gained practical insights on integrating AI thoughtfully into their teaching.
Facilitators: Zach Kinzler, Head of Academic Sales Strategies, BoodleBox, Sarah Gibson, MFA, Director and Professor, School of Communication and Faculty Fellow of AI, Lipscomb University

AI Ethics: Beyond the Screen (AI & Environmental Impact) 
This session examined the rise of generative AI in higher education, highlighting both its potential benefits and the ethical considerations it raises. Participants explored how Large Language Models rely on environmental resources and human labor, and discussed strategies to promote critical thinking and responsible use of GenAI among students.
Facilitator: Lauren Wallis, University of Delaware

Day 2

AI Makerspace Track
Ascending Peaks: Building & Refining Our AI Solutions

The Ascent Begins: Data & Model Foundations
This session focused on hands-on work with data, setting up initial AI models, and troubleshooting common coding challenges. Participants engaged in a check-in, a brief lecture, and a structured building sprint to apply their learning.

Navigating the Heights: Advanced Concepts & Use Case Validation
This session explored deeper AI concepts and ethical considerations while participants iterated on their projects. They stress-tested use cases with feedback from diverse higher education perspectives, validating and refining their work before refocusing their projects.

Jevonia Harris, University of Delaware
Joe Naccarato, University of Delaware

Operational Excellence & Administrative Strategies Academic Research & Pedagogy Tracks

Operational Excellence & Administrative Strategies

Responsible AI Innovation: Balancing Collaboration, Compliance, and Cyber Risk
This expert panel brought together leaders from academia and industry to discuss the challenges of data sharing, privacy, and cybersecurity as generative AI became more integrated into education, research, and enterprise operations, highlighting the balance between innovation and security.
Moderator: Mike Evans, University of Delaware
Panelists: John D’Arcy, University of Delaware, Ryan Harrington, University of Delaware, Chris Cawthorne, University of Delaware

How AI Can Support Career Planning & Student Preparation for the Workforce
This dynamic conversation featured best practices, resources, and case studies on how AI was transforming student career planning and development.
Moderator: Rachel Coppola, PhD, University of Delaware
Panelists: Shalini Gopalkrishnan, San Francisco Bay University, Krissy Hovick, University of Delaware, Jill Pante, University of Delaware, Emilie Cooke, Every Learner Everywhere

From Disruption to Dialogue: Ethical and Practical Perspectives About AI in Education
This panel brought together experts from multiple fields to examine the ethical challenges of AI implementation in higher education. Panelists discussed proactive approaches to responsible AI use, addressing impacts on student cognitive development, faculty-student trust, and research integrity, while exploring frameworks for ethical decision-making in teaching, learning, and research.
Moderator: Thomas M. Powers, PhD University of Delaware
Panelists: Joshua Wilson, PhD. University of Delaware, Matt Kinservik, PhD, University of Delaware, Rahmat Beheshti, PhD, University of Delaware, Nazim Karaca, Esq., University of Delaware, Erica Quinones, University of Delaware, Tiffany L. Wright, PhD, Adjunct Faculty, Pepperdine University

Bridging Minds and Machines: AI, Mental Health, and Human Support in Higher Ed
This panel explored the intersection of AI, mental health, and human support in higher education. Panelists examined the psychological impact of rapid technological change, discussed ethical considerations, and highlighted strategies to support campus communities during this transformation.
Moderator: Rebecca Wilson, MSW, LCSW, University of Delaware
Panelists: Jess Pieper, University of Delaware, Shalini Gopalkrishnan DBA, San Francisco Bay University, Ohiro Oni-Eseleh, Ph.D, University of Delaware, Kayla Hayes, University of Delaware Student

Academic Research & Pedagogy

Access as a Foundational Principle in Teaching and Learning with AI
This session invited participants to broaden their understanding of “access” in the context of Generative AI and Large Language Models in higher education. Using disability studies and a novel theoretical framework, it explored the specific challenges disabled students face in rapidly evolving learning environments.
Facilitator: Andrew B. Jenks, PhD, University of Delaware

AI as Partner, Not Crutch: Teaching the Balance
This session explored experimental approaches to teaching students how to engage with course content without misusing AI tools. Like learning to do math without a calculator, students were encouraged to develop their own understanding while using AI for supportive tasks such as paraphrasing, suggesting practice assignments, and offering hints—fostering student buy-in to avoid relying on AI to do their homework.
Facilitator: Nazim Karaca, Esq., University of Delaware

Frictionless Ideation and the Invisible Framework
In this session, Michael shared how he used generative AI to support early development of worlds, characters, and narratives in his 2D Concept Art for Games course. He demonstrated “frictionless ideation,” using AI to pressure-test and explore ideas before finalizing them, enabling a more agile, adaptive teaching process that remains grounded in human creativity while accelerated by AI.
Facilitator: Michael Curtin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

AI Hidden Fears: Navigating Bias & Hallucinations
This session explored the hidden biases and potential pitfalls of AI in education. Participants learned about sources of bias in AI systems, their impact on fairness and equity, and practical strategies to identify and mitigate bias—equipping educators to use AI responsibly and ethically in the classroom.
Facilitator: Lauren Kelley, PhD, University of Delaware
Facilitator: Jevonia Harris, University of Delaware

The Evolution of Accessibility in Math-Intense Courses 
This session addressed the challenges faced by underrepresented and disabled individuals in STEM fields, emphasizing the importance of inclusive learning environments and accessible technical content—especially mathematics. Presenters Sara Shunkwiler and Jeffrey Kuan shared their experiences advocating for accessibility and discussed how AI can both aid and complicate efforts to create accurate, accessible STEM education.
Facilitator: Jeff Kuan, The Ohio State University
Facilitator: Sara Shunkwiler, Johns Hopkins University

Day 3 

Keynote 

Part 1: Virtual Keynote: AI, Education, and Assessment: Where Do We Go From Here?

Part 2: International Panel: Navigating AI in Academia: Cross-Cultural Responses to Assessment and Integrity

Keynote Session

AI Makerspace Track

Summit & Share: Finalizing & Showcasing Our Innovations

This session focused on finalizing AI prototypes, preparing presentations, and showcasing innovative solutions developed for higher education. Participants engaged in Q&A, last-minute support, debugging, project reflections, and discussions on next steps.

Jevonia Harris, University of Delaware
Joe Naccarato, University of Delaware

Operational Excellence & Administrative Strategies Academic Research & Pedagogy Tracks

Academic Research & Pedagogy

Using Generative AI Tools for Optimizing Writing & Research
This hands-on session demonstrated how generative AI tools like Perplexity, Elicit, Consensus, Gemini, and Copilot were used to optimize writing and research. Faculty and researchers learned to leverage AI for more efficient literature reviews, enhanced writing, and improved research processes. Participants used smart devices to explore the tools during the session.
Facilitator: Lauren Kelley, University of Delaware
Facilitator: Maria Barefoot, University of Delaware