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AACRAO workshops offer focused, practical learning opportunities that allow attendees to deepen their knowledge, build skills, and apply new strategies. You can add a workshop when you first register for the conference, or you can include one later at any time before the workshop takes place. To update your selections, simply return to the conference registration page, log in to your existing registration, and add the workshop(s) you’d like to attend.

AI for Institutional Transformation: From Hesitation to Strategic Adoption

This hands-on pre-conference session equips higher education professionals with practical AI skills and strategic frameworks for institutional decision-making. Grounded in findings from our Gates Foundation-funded national study on AI adoption at public institutions, community colleges, and HBCUs, participants will move beyond the fear and shame that often surrounds AI use toward confident, intentional engagement.

Presenter: 
Audrey Ellis,
DM, T3 Advisory

Learning Objectives

Articulate the current landscape of AI adoption in higher education, including key findings on how non-elite institutions are navigating implementation

Apply a structured approach to prompt engineering that emphasizes critical thinking and intentionality over trial-and-error

Evaluate outputs across multiple AI platforms (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) to make informed decisions about tool selection

Facilitate AI-related conversations at their own institutions using freely available scenario cards and prompting resources

Identify ethical considerations and security implications when evaluating AI tools for institutional use

Session Format
(3 Hours)

This session blends research presentation with extended hands-on activities, including small group exercises, live collaborative prompting, and facilitated discussion. The format draws on tested methodologies from our work at Complete College America and other national convenings, it’s designed to meet participants where they are, whether AI-curious or AI-cautious.

Materials Provided

All attendees will receive access to:

  • AI Prompt Challenge Cards (printable, reusable at their institutions)
  • AI Scenario Cards for institutional discussions
  • Comprehensive Prompting Guide
  • Survey templates for assessing campus AI readiness