Goals and Objectives

To support specific college-wide initiatives.

Activities

These initiatives are specifically derived from the Strategic Plan and impact the entire College.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation Challenge

Showcase your creativity and commitment to student success by entering Durham Tech’s AI Innovation Contest! We’re inviting faculty and staff to design, use, or integrate an AI tool into their teaching in an innovative and positive way that enhances learning or engagement. The most impactful project will earn a **cash prize** and campus recognition—so bring your best ideas for harnessing AI to support our students!

We are excited to announce a wonderful way to showcase your AI Innovations - with some friendly competition. As part of our college-wide explorations of AI, we announce the Faculty or Staff AI Innovation Challenge for Spring 2026! Please plan to attend our launch of this friendly competition on February 5, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. via Teams to hear more about the competition.

Want more information? See this Information Sheet or reach out to Dr. Barbara Clarke via email clarkeb@durhamtech.edu.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Strategic Priority

Our Objective 

Realize the potential of AI across Durham Tech.

The call was made at convocation. 

"To succeed, we need everyone on board. Our goal is to empower our college community with a strong understanding of AI—from operations to classrooms. By boosting AI readiness, we’re embracing the future of work. Let’s shape tomorrow—together."
This signaled the beginning of the work related to adopting AI here at Durham Tech. This initial step will support the strategic success outcome for the year 2025/2026 to “Implement College-wide AI literacy initiative and identify top priorities for improving and innovating services.”

Big Picture Issues 

We have identified the big picture opportunities related to AI. These include: 

  1. AI Literacy
  2. Productivity
  3. Use of AI in the Classroom
  4. Workforce readiness
     

The next steps will be critical in moving us toward a comprehensive strategy for AI implementation.

Our Approach

Recognizing that Gen AI is an ever-changing entity we approach this adoption with a collaborative and change mindset. Our approach begins with seeking information from our stakeholders utilizing this information seeking stage as an opportunity to facilitate conversations around AI. Phase 1 and two are essential for laying the ground work and building basic AI literacy around campus. This will provide the data needed to set priorities and begin the work of production and execution.

Phases for AI Adoption: Phase 1, Information Seeking; Phase 2, Information Sharing; Phase 3, Production and Execution; Phase 4 Launch and Review

 

Activities at a Glance

AI Community of Practice Wednesdays

Please join us in our Community of Practice Wednesdays for Fall 2025: Focus on AI. The Community of Practice is an opportunity for both Staff and Faculty to engage in conversations surrounding pertinent topics related to the use and understanding of AI at Durham Tech - beginners welcomed and encouraged! Course dates and discussion topics include:  

  • January 22, 2026, from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. – You're Worried About AI? So am I... Let's Talk About It (over lunch), led by Adrian Knight via Teams

  • February 18, 2026, at 11:00 - 12:00 p.m. – AI in the Creative Arts and Digital Design, led by Andrew Alekseeve via Teams

  • March 18, 2026 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. – AI Awareness and Course Policies, led by Anita Ghajar-Selim, via Teams

  • April 16, 2026, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. – AI in Canvas, led by the Instructional Technologies Team of Marisa Sullivan, Amy Netzel, and Maureen Walters via Teams
     

Recommended for all faculty and staff

Open Lab Workshops

Join our campus AI pioneers as they lead open labs to try out some of your AI skills. Presenters will highlight AI skills, and you will be able to try them out with guidance and support. Excellent opportunity for beginners! Bring your laptop or use one of the machines in the computer lab. There is no online component for these lab sessions. 

When: Friday, February 27, 2026, at 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. in OCC Computer Lab, Room 103
Presented by: Dr. Cathy James-Springer, Director, ODL; Dr. Barbara Clarke, Coordinator, ODL

Looking for hands-on, low-stakes practice with AI Technology? Gain comfort and confidence with using AI and join us in this cooperative, librarian-led exploratory workshop! Participants will be provided with a diverse set of example documents to use to become familiar with summarizing and transforming documents with AI in a safe and responsible manner. This practice session will include several of the most popular AI chatbots to give participants an idea of the different results and outcomes from the various AI platforms. Learn both the limitations and the possibilities of these tools in a library setting, powered by human-authored ideas and cooperative learning.