College of Graduate Studies
Grad-AI
Mission: Prepare graduate students across all disciplines with applied, ethical, and discipline-relevant AI capabilities that support career readiness and long-term professional adaptability.
What Grad-AI is (and is NOT)?
- It is applied: Grad-AI emphasizes real-world use of AI within specific fields, whether analyzing historical archives, modeling environmental systems, improving instructional design for teachers, or optimizing business processes.
- It is interdisciplinary: Grad-AI is designed for all graduate disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, education, sciences, and professional programs. It is not limited to tech fields.
- It is structured and intentional: AI integration is guided by clearly defined standards. Courses earning the AI Signature Label meet committee approved criteria that ensure academic rigor, learning value, and coherence.
- It is ethical and responsible: Responsible AI use is foundational. Grad-AI foregrounds transparency, accountability, and critical evaluation of AI tools and impacts.
Grad-AI Signature Label
The Grad-AI Signature Label is a formal course designation for graduate courses that incorporate AI in meaningful and discipline-specific ways. The label appears in the catalog and schedule, making AI-integrated learning visible to students and employers.
Pathways to Adoption
We offer three distinct tracks for faculty to adopt the label, depending on the level of curriculum change required:
- Pathway 1: Enhance ($1000 Stipend) – Integrate AI tools or assignments into an existing course. This is designed for a shorter timeline and moderate syllabus updates.
- Pathway 2: Create ($2000 Stipend) – Develop a new, stand-alone course explicitly focused on discipline-specific AI applications.
- Pathway 3: Certify ($3000 Stipend) – Develop an Applied-AI Certificate.
How to Apply?
Faculty may apply for the Grad-AI designation through the Dynamic Application Form.
The application captures how AI is integrated into graduate instruction, including alignment with learning outcomes, student engagement, faculty preparation, and ethical and responsible use.
👉 Apply here: Grad-AI Application
For full details on pathways, criteria, and review, see the framework:
👉 Download the Grad-AI Framework
Applications are reviewed during scheduled cycles, as outlined in the document.
Faculty Support: Grad-AI Events & Programming
We don’t expect faculty to do this alone. Grad-AI offers a series of events and programming designed to support faculty in integrating AI into their courses, with a focus on practical, discipline-specific application.
- Best-Practice Panels: Hear from peers sharing effective strategies and lessons learned.
- Expert Seminars: Hands-on training sessions on tools and pedagogical approaches.
- Success Stories: Real examples of AI implementation in MTSU courses.
Past and Upcoming Events
Upcoming & Ongoing:
- February 2026 to Present, Title: Faculty Learning community – AI in STEM Curriculum
Participants: Anto Charles, Manuel Giannoni-Guzman, Paul Griswold, Gaia Rancati, Ron Henderson, Sarah Harris, Vajira Manathunga, Scott Seipel, Xin Yang
Moderators: Racha El Kadiri, Joshua Phillips, and Todd Moore
(See Flyer)
Past:
- Thursday, April 30, Grad-AI Official Launch Event (See Agenda), SCCM Room 105
https://mtsunews.com/grad-ai-initiative-launch-event/ - Wednesday, April 22, Title: Ignite Your Canvas Course with AI!, Mark Abolins (in Collaboration with The Provost Office and CTM)
Click here for recording - Monday, April 13, 11:30- 12:30 pm, Title: An AI Conversation for MTSU History Faculty, Sam Zaza (in Collaboration with The Provost Office and CTM)
- Wednesday, April 8, 2:30-3:30 pm, Title: From Hype to Habit: Practical AI Workflows for Professionals, Rajah Smart (in Collaboration with The Provost Office and CTM)
Click here for recording - Wednesday, April 2, 2:30-3:30 pm, Title: Beyond the Obvious, Scott Seipel (in Collaboration with The Provost Office and CTM)
Click here for recording - Wednesday, March 25, 1:30-2:30 pm, Title: Tips and Tricks for Using AI to Increase your Productivity, John Wallin (in Collaboration with The Provost Office and CTM)
Click here for recording - Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 11:00 am –12:00pm, AI Prompts and Frameworks for Curriculum Development, Todd O’Neill (in Collaboration with The Provost Office and CTM)
Click here for recording - Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 1:00-2:00 pm, Teaching Information Literacy in a World of Chatbots, Eric Detweiler (in Collaboration with The Provost Office and CTM)
Click here for recording - Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 2:30-3:30 pm, Running Open-Source AI on Your Device, Keith Gamble (in Collaboration with The Provost Office and CTM)
Click here for recording - Thursday, October 16, 2025, 1:30-2:30 pm, A Primer on Artificial Intelligence, Keith Gamble (in Collaboration with The Provost Office and CTM)
Click here for recording - Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, AI Chatbots in the Classroom, Carlos Coronel (in Collaboration with The Provost Office and CTM)
Click here for recording
Initiative Leadership
Dr. Racha El Kadiri – Associate Dean, College of Graduate Studies | Grad-AI Initiative Chair
Provides the strategic vision and overall leadership for Grad-AI, guiding its development, implementation, and long-term growth. Builds campus partnerships, coordinates curricular and faculty development efforts, and oversees funding priorities and assessment. Chairs the Steering Committee to support faculty and graduate programs in advancing meaningful and responsible AI integration that reflects their disciplinary needs and goals and strengthens student career readiness.
Dr. Sam Zaza – Faculty Fellow for Innovation (2026–2027)
Leads the development and coordination of the Grad-AI workshop series in collaboration with campus partners. Works with faculty and invited speakers to identify relevant topics, create practical learning opportunities, and connect programming to disciplinary needs. Encourages faculty participation in Grad-AI and coordinates workshop materials that extend learning beyond each event. Dr. Zaza also led the workshop series during the initiative’s planning year (2025–2026).
Dr. Joshua Phillips – Faculty Fellow for Innovation (2026–2027)
Leads the development and curation of the Grad-AI Faculty Resource Library, bringing together practical tools, teaching examples, tutorials, and guidance for responsible AI integration. Collaborates with workshop facilitators and faculty contributors to make materials useful across disciplines. Promotes effective instructional practices and helps faculty adapt Grad-AI resources into course activities and assignments.
Steering Committee
Role: This committee provides oversight, sets the criteria for the AI-Signature Label, and ensures ethical and academic alignment across the university.
Members:
- Racha El Kadiri: Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Initiative Chair
- Carter Smith: College of Behavioral and Health Sciences Champion
- Sara West: College of Liberal Arts Champion
- Kim Sokoya: Jones College of Business Champion
- Henrique Momm: College of Basic and Applied Science Champion
- Paul Griswold: College of Media and Entertainment Champion
- Keri Carter: University College Champion
- Christy Groves: Walker Library Champion
- Jim Farnsworth: College of Behavioral and Health Sciences Champion
- Keith Gamble: AI Initiative Champion
- Sam Zaza: AI Initiative Champion and Provost Fellow
Contact
Get Involved.
- For Faculty: Questions about the Signature Label or Stipends?
- For Students: Looking for AI courses?
- Contact: The Office of the Associate Dean, College of Graduate Studies.
Coming Soon (Academic year 2026-2027):
Grad-AI Faculty Resources:
A curated collection of publications, reports, and practical examples to support AI integration in graduate courses.
Grad-AI Certified Courses:
A dynamic list of approved Grad-AI courses across disciplines, supporting both internal and external visibility.