Tracks at AiM Higher 2025
During the conference, participating institutions sent teams representing various roles across four unique tracks. These cross-functional teams collaborated with peers from other colleges and universities to explore strategies, build AI solutions, and shape the future of higher ed.
GA Track 1: AI Makerspace
Where Innovation Met Action
AI is reshaping higher education, but many institutions rely on costly, pre-packaged solutions that don’t always meet their specific needs. The AI Makerspace track offered an alternative: a hands-on, collaborative environment where participants built tailored tools to solve real academic and operational challenges.
This track focused on:
- Developing AI solutions with structured datasets, models, and real-world use cases
- Creating practical prototypes for student success, curriculum design, and operations
- Working alongside developers, data scientists, and AI strategists
Who Participated:
Developers, data analysts, technologists, faculty innovators, and institutional effectiveness teams who came ready to build.
GA Track 2: Operational Excellence & Administrative Strategy
AI for a Smarter, More Efficient Institution
From student services to academic affairs, this track explored how AI is transforming higher ed operations. Participants dove deep into implementation strategies and explored tools that enhanced everything from enrollment management to backend processes.
This track covered:
- AI applications in student support, advising, and finance
- Automation strategies for process optimization
- Practical case studies of AI integration across departments
Who Participated:
Administrators, directors of operations, student affairs leaders, IT and HR professionals.
GA Track 3: Academic Research & Teaching Pedagogy
AI in the Classroom & Beyond
As AI transforms learning and discovery, this track invited faculty and academic staff to explore how AI can enhance—not replace—human expertise. The sessions were collaborative, forward-looking, and filled with practical takeaways for applying AI in instruction and research.
This track addressed:
- AI-enhanced assessment and personalized learning
- Ethical frameworks for AI in research
- Collaborative exploration of emerging AI teaching tools
Who Participated:
Faculty, instructional designers, librarians, researchers, and graduate education leaders.
Track 4: Executive Leadership
Highe
Leading Higher Ed in the Age of AI
This invitation-only track was reserved for senior executives guiding institutional strategy. Leaders engaged in peer discussions about AI governance, long-term planning, and ethical leadership. The emphasis was on developing strategic frameworks and driving institutional transformation through AI.
This track focused on:
- AI governance models and leadership alignment
- Institutional policy and infrastructure readiness
- Executive-level planning for AI investments and partnerships
Who Participated:
Presidents, provosts, CIOs, VPs, deans, and other top-level decision-makers.
Ed in the Age of AI
Cross-Track Collaboration
While attendees selected a primary track to help organize room capacities and guide their
experience, all were free to attend sessions across the General Admission tracks throughout
the day. This flexibility allowed for richer cross-disciplinary learning and broader
institutional collaboration.