As generative AI tools continue to reshape possibilities across higher education, institutions must explore a spectrum of thoughtful, practical strategies that meet both their culture and operational goals. This panel brings together leaders from Wesleyan and Colgate to share three complementary case studies of how AI is being deployed to enhance administrative operations, campus support, and technical infrastructure. From empowering staff to experiment with AI tools, to introducing automated support in a high-touch environment, to building custom in-house solutions, this session offers a multi-dimensional look at how AI adoption can align with institutional values while paving the way for innovation. Rachel Schnepper will share how Wesleyan University launched an AI Staff Ambassador Program that trains administrative staff to explore efficiencies using generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. Karen Warren will follow with Wesleyan’s experience rolling out a ServiceNow chatbot to support the Workday transition, balancing automation with the personal touch their campus expects. Ahmad Khazaee and Tolga Dincer from Colgate University will conclude by showcasing their journey in developing and deploying custom, private AI tools on campus, including applications in research support, creative technologies, and systems automation. Together, these presentations demonstrate how institutions can creatively and responsibly adopt AI in ways that match their missions and needs. Attendees will walk away with models for staff empowerment, strategies for scalable support, and inspiration for building in-house solutions that respect data privacy while enabling cutting-edge exploration. Whether you're just beginning to explore AI or already deploying tools, this session offers grounded insights to spark your next move.
Leadership in IT increasingly means voicing ethical principles to our institutions as the custodians of technology. This talk addresses that responsibility.
A panel of four small to mid-size institutions at different stages of their ERP journey share lessons learned, surprises faced, and challenges along the course to student-centered transformation. We'll share what’s working, what we wish we had known before starting, key steps any institution can take now to set themselves up for success, and unexpected wins. There will be discussions on the various implementation methodologies, the partner ecosystem, and what life has been like post go-live. Bring all of your hard-hitting questions and hear from panelists that are known for their open and honest feedback.
Having grown up in Germany and Austria, I moved to the US at age 18 and attended Western Michigan University. I earned my PhD in Sociology at Boston College. My areas of focus were critical and feminist social theory, and the sociology of gender. At BC in the 1980s and 90s I also... Read More →
MHC and Colgate University share successes of project-based learning for student staff. We’ll cover topics from high-level frameworks guiding growth, to niche skills of digital fabrication and design.
How our LMS Evaluation made the Sr. Assoc. Provost say “This was a model for how to initiate broad systems-level change in a collaborative, inclusive manner. I’ve learned a lot through this process.”
Director of Academic Technology, Dickinson College
I am the Director of Academic Technology at Dickinson College. Prior to joining Dickinson, I spent 7 years at Wilson College in a similar role. As a former classroom teacher who has an invisible disability, I am very interested in how technology can have positive impacts on student... Read More →
