What is this Initiative?
Under the direction of the Office of the Provost, the initiative to advance generative AI teaching integration into course instruction and provide professional development funds for faculty and staff, a grant was received by the Adobe Foundation to support these efforts. There is a faculty led committee who will lead the projects relevant to faculty development in collaboration with the Center for Innovative and Transformative Instruction (CITI).
- Dr. Wanda White-Walker, Director of CITI
- Dr. Keisha Rogers, Faculty Senate President and Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling
- Dr. Nancy Smith, Professor of Physical Therapy
- Dr. Mesia Steed, Chair, Biology and Associate Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology
- AI Microgrant Opportunities for AI Course Integration and ReDesign
- AI Communities of Practice aka Faculty Learning Communities( During Fall 2025 and Spring 2026, CITI will facilitate a Faculty Learning Community that will allow faculty to engage in topics relevant to generative AI)
- AI Workshops and institutes- (AI Faculty Development Committee to Collaborate with CITI to schedule- Fall 2025 and Spring 2026)
- AI HBCU Summit ( Save the Date- March 25, 2025 hosted by WSSU and led by another Faculty Committee)
- State of the Art AI Lab at WSSU (Coming Soon and led by another Faculty Committee)
ALL SPACES FOR THE AI FLCS 2025-2026 have been filled. Are you interested in participating in an AI Community of Practice in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026? If so, please complete this interest form or scan the QR code below. CITI will contact you when we begin enrolling faculty for the learning communities.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Micro-Grant Opportunity Faculty Development Project
The Center for Innovative and Transformative Instruction (CITI) will be offering opportunities for faculty to apply for a Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Micro-Grant during and Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Fall 2026.
Course Design/Re-design with integrating generative AI
This micro grant will provide faculty with a monetary stipend to redesign a course that integrates generative AI learning opportunities, activities, assignments, or assessment into the course.
Funds for Professional Development Conferences, Symposium, or Institutes
Funds are also available for faculty to apply for Professional Development opportunities at conferences, institutes, symposiums, webinars, etc. to learn more about generative AI and teaching and learning.
- Teaching using Generative AI (Course Design, Re-Design, Curriculum Design, Program Design, Certificate programs, etc. The all require prior authorization and approvals from your College or School Dean and/or Department Chair)
- Professional Development (Conference presentations and/or attendance, symposium or institute hosting, high impact workshops with hands on experience, corporate preceptorships for faculty to visit AI in the workplace, etc.)
This micro-grant aims to equip WSSU faculty with foundational knowledge and practical skills in ways to incorporate Generative AI to enhance teaching, research, and student engagement. Faculty participants will learn how Generative AI can support curriculum innovation, improve accessibility, facilitate administrative tasks, and engage students in new ways.
Project Objectives:
Increase Faculty AI Literacy: Educate faculty on core concepts of Generative AI, including machine learning fundamentals, natural language processing, and image generation models.
Promote Applied Skills: Enable hands-on experience with Generative AI tools, focusing on practical applications for teaching and research.
Encourage Innovation: Inspire new ideas on integrating AI technologies into academic courses and research projects.
Build Community: Foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among faculty interested in Generative AI.
Measurement and Assessment of Grants: What is expected of grantees once funded?
Recipients will be measured and assessed using both quantitative and qualitative tools.
Recipients will receive surveys and share progress reports/ updates each semester.
Professional Development Funds Deliverable
Faculty receiving professional development funding are required to complete an Adobe Express communication sharing what information they learned from the opportunity and how they plan to apply the new knowledge. These presentations should be completed and available as a resource that the faculty could present it to one of the following CITI events: Faculty Festival, CITI Workshop, or other CITI event. *If you are receiving PDC fund support, please indicate this on the application.
For Course Integration/Redesign projects, faculty will have two checkpoints:
- Checkpoint #1 -Syllabus Checkpoint with outcomes about generative AI,
- Checkpoint #2- Course Modules Development (minimum of 4) that includes generative AI integration,
- The final checkpoint is creating an Adobe Express communication on the process of redesign and a completed course. Once projects are complete, recipients will complete an Adobe Express Presentation about the grant's use and how it further implements using AI tools, research, or teaching. This presentation will be housed in CITI and shared with the WSSU community and our Adobe Foundation Partners.
Funding for the CITI AI Micro-Grants are based on levels, relevant to the type of project. The maximum funding for a micro-grant is $3,000 for course design/redesign. Recipients can only be funded once. The maximum amount for professional development is the cost of the conference plus travel not to exceed $3,000.
Please complete this application to apply for a micro-grant for AI faculty development at WSSU. The application must be complete in specific detail for consideration and approval of a micro-grant.
Applying does not guarantee funding of a micro-grant. Grants will be funded that align with the WSSU Strategic Plan as well as the AI initiatives at WSSU.
Application Review Process
- The review process will take up to 30 days.
- Recipients who are funded will be notified by email.
- The Review committee is a, AI Faculty Development committee selected by the Office of the Provost, CITI, and CITi advisory board.
- Members of the Review Committee who wish to apply for an AI Micro-Grant will have their application reviewed by members of the CITI Advisory Board.
- If you are applying with a Co-PI or group, all names must be on the application.
- Application must be completed in entirety, or it will not be considered.
Credits:
Created with images by faithie - "AI text with magnifying glass analysing the I for intelligence, concept of machine learning" • Karen Roach - "The 5 Ws question on six sticky notes on textured desk wood" • TungCheung - "Close up of old English dictionary page with word committee" • PX Media - "Options A, B, C - wooden signpost" • magele-picture - "Communities of practice" • Tierney - "Education grant theme with pink piggy bank on top of books with chalkboard in the background" • magele-picture - "Learning objectives" • airdone - "Time To Learn, Motivational Words Quotes Concept" • sosiukin - "assessment word written on wood block. assessment text on table, concept" • 78art - "チェックするポイントを教える" • magele-picture - "Helpful Resources " • Антон Сальников - "She holds a sign with the inscription word help who is sitting at the desk at her desk at the office with a pile of papers and folders." • wor_woot - "How To guide book and instruction manual book " • Dzmitry - "Planning budget 2025 new year symbol. Concept words Budget 2025 on beautiful wooden blocks. Dollar bills. Beautiful background from dollar bills. Business budget 2025 new year concept. Copy space." • Jason - "Document stamped with under review sign. Business approval process" • christianchan - "We can help"