WE CAUGHT YOU!!

CAUGHT IN THE ACT TEACHING (CITA)

"Caught in the Act Teaching" recognizes WSSU faculty who are "caught" by CITI team members teaching in new, fun, innovative, and transformative ways. CITI then acknowledges these faculty in three ways:

• In our CITI Beat newsletter, as seen here
• Various recognitions at CITI events
• With a small gift

This month, CITI is proud to recognize two colleagues who went above and beyond their classroom instruction: Dr. Jude J. Ewunkem, Biological Sciences, and Dr. Felicia Simpson, Math.

Dr. Jude is teaching his students to research ways to overcome antibiotic resistance, a serious threat to human health. In his own words: "My research students . . . are investigating natural products to find potential new therapies."

In recognition of her outstanding achievements as a faculty scholar and academic leader, Dr. Simpson has been selected as one of WSSU's endowed professors and appointed as the Vivian Chambers Distinguished Professor in Mathematics. As a testament to her impact and accomplishments, Dr. Simpson's entire class of math majors graduated last year.

CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING "CAUGHT," DRS. JUDE AND SIMPSON!!

FOCUS ON AI

Congratulations to Dr. Debzani Deb, RJ Reynolds Endowed Professor of Computer Science, for being a featured webinar speaker hosted by the Association of Deans and Directors of University Colleges and Undergraduate Studies (AD&D) on Wednesday, November 19. Dr. Deb's focus was on student outcomes in an AI-saturated world.

Join us as we continue with our Generative AI series with our next event. This Lunch and Learn features a panel that represents the UNC System, our Executive Cabinet, Faculty AI Champions, and our student body. The location is in DJR 100 A and B on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 12 noon-1:30 pm. Lunch will be provided, but you will need to register to attend. You can also use the QR code below to register:

WSSU AI Faculty Development Workshop Series 2025-2026

This series has been created to engage faculty with topics in generative AI relevant to ethics and safety, curriculum integration, teaching practices using generative AI tools, and many other topics over the course of the acdemic year. The AI series is funded by the Adobe Foundation, and CITI is excited to have many national experts serve as guest facilitators for the sessions who will share innovative ways to explore and apply generative AI in teaching and learning.

The sessions are one time per month; days vary, but each is always from 12:00 pm-1:00 pm. These professional development sessions will be shown in your Outlook Calendars for your convenience, along with the other CITI Workshop opportunities this year.

Join us on this AI journey of innovation and transformation as a learning partner. If you have any questions, please reach out to CITI. Meanwhile, check out the videos below from our AI Faculty Development Workshop Series:

Code Meets Culture: Teaching Responsible AI in the Humanities (Dr. Sheneese Thompson, Associate Professor of English/Afro-American Studies, Howard University)

From Panic to Power: why GenAI Belongs in Every College Syllabus (Dr. Justin Hodgson, Strategic Director, GenAI Faculty Initiatives, IU)

Ethical AI; Responsible AI. What Does it Mean? (Dr. Darryl Scriven, Executive Director of the FAMU Cyber Policy Institute)

RESOURCES

Are you looking for innovative ways to use AI in your course? Check out how our sister institutions are leveraging AI in their pedagogy:

• Analog Inspiration Sheet
• AI Exemplars from UNC-Asheville

CITI BLOG

AI ISN'T GOING AWAY

The CITI Blog is a collaborative space to explore innovative instructional techniques, course design, and instructional technology. This month, Dr. Jeremiah Shipp, Faculty Development Specialist in CITI, shares how to approach concerns about AI's proliferation in his blog. "Guess What? AI Isn't Going Away."

Read more about how to A.I.M. at AI below:

Guess What? AI Isn’t Going Away Jeremiah E. Shipp, Ed.D. Senior Faculty Development Specialist We all recall songs from our adolescence that became instant hits, songs that stirred emotion, conveyed meaning, and combined rhythm with lyrical brilliance to capture our attention. Yet, despite their success, many artists never released another memorable track. These “one-hit wonders” leave us wondering: how could something so impactful fail to spark lasting momentum? Like the music industry, the world is now experiencing its own “hit” in artificial intelligence. AI has dominated conversations for months, remaining at the top of the charts, so to speak. It is not confined to a single genre; rather, it bridges generations, cultures, and industries. Like the wind, AI is not always visible, but its effects are undeniable. News outlets highlight its potential to disrupt jobs, while others emphasize its promise to spark innovation and renewal. At this stage of the AI boom, many are still grappling with how to move forward amid ethical questions, data privacy concerns, and implications for higher education and the workforce. AI is neither the first nor the last innovation to capture global attention, but it is clear, it is not going away. For many, the rapid pace of change has sparked a kind of grief: uncertainty about where we fit in and what lies ahead. This reflection invites us into a space of imaginative engagement. A place where we can critically assess our present and envision the future. I call this space A.I.M. ACCEPT Acceptance does not mean blind agreement. We do not have to embrace every new technology without question. Healthy skepticism and critical reflection are essential. But acceptance also means creating room for transformation. By loosening our resistance, we open opportunities to reimagine learning and teaching. INVESTIGATE Explore how AI can serve as a partner in teaching, research, and even external funding efforts. Use it for grammar checks, resource gathering, and idea refinement. Let AI help sharpen your expertise while clarifying your philosophical stance and professional voice. Investigation is about curiosity, considering what is possible both personally and professionally. MUSTER Have the courage to take small, intentional steps. Start by integrating AI into one assignment with clear rubrics and expectations. Practice transparency by explicitly discussing AI use with students. Muster the courage to adapt evidence-based teaching practices, rather than resist them, and connect with employers to understand how AI is reshaping careers. Such conversations can bridge coursework with workforce relevance. The value of AI is immense, but so are the concerns. Still, AIM (Accept, Investigate, and Muster) provides a way forward. AI will not extinguish your contributions to the academic ecosystem; it can amplify them when used intentionally. Even if your first aim feels off-target, remember: AI is here to stay. “Artificial intelligence will not replace people...people who know how to use artificial intelligence will.” — Jensen Huang, CEO, Nvidia

DON'T FEAR...WE'RE HERE!

The Center for Innovative and Transformative Instruction (CITI) is an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative common area for faculty, staff and administrators to pursue innovation and transformation in higher education teaching and learning, including the scholarship of teaching & learning (SoTL).​ CITI will keep you updated on the latest innovative and transformative instructional methods and technologies.​ CITI Team personnel are all experienced college faculty with a strong background in teaching and learning, course design, instructional technology, and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). ​