Programs and Training

Jan. 26, 2026

AI in Higher Ed Distinguished Lecture Series

Ethics, Efficiency, & Evolution

Summary

Associate Provost for Artificial Intelligence, Academic Technology, and Professional Development at Coastal Carolina University, Wes Fondren, will be visiting Michigan State University the week of February 16 to deliver a lecture series about artificial intelligence and its impacts on higher education.

As artificial intelligence rapidly expands across higher education, it’s more critical than ever to understand its benefits and vulnerabilities.

Join us the week of February 16 to explore these themes in our AI in Higher Ed Lecture Series, featuring Wes Fondren, Ph.D.

Wes Fondren is the associate provost for artificial intelligence, academic technology, and professional development and an associate professor of communication at Coastal Carolina University. He sees technologies such as artificial intelligence as powerful tools to empower both faculty and students in the learning process and to prepare graduates for successful careers.

Throughout the week, Dr. Fondren will provide his insight into topics like ethical AI use, evolving capabilities, and more.

Lectures

Monday, February 16

  • Date: Monday, February 16 from 9 – 10 a.m.

  • Location: The CAS WKAR Studio A

  • Hosts: Bree Holtz and Heidi Hennink-Kaminski

This lecture will focus on the urgency of using artificial intelligence responsibly in research and creative activities, including current ethical dilemmas, guidelines, and practical applications.

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  • Date: Monday, February 16 from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

  • Location: Multicultural Center 1015 & 1020

  • Hosts: Pero Dagbovie and Eric Torng

This lecture will focus on how artificial intelligence is impacting graduate education, including policies, practical strategies, changing expectations, and the impact on time to degree. Links to custom tools will be provided.

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  • Date: Monday, February 16 from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.

  • Location: Chittenden Hall, Room 110

  • Host: Willy Chen

Dr. Fondren will have a conversation focused on AI in Graduate Education on Monday, February 16, from 5:15-6:15 p.m. with COGS leadership and other graduate students. Pizza will be provided. Please RSVP so that we can account for food for the appropriate number of guests.

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Tuesday, February 17

  • Date: Tuesday, February 17 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

  • Location: Main Library, Room W-207

  • Host: CTLI

A candid talk about how undergraduate education will survive the next five years. Particular attention will be given to already shifted expectations, faculty wellness, and the AI-assisted move from pedagogy to andragogy.

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  • Date: Tuesday, February 17 from 1:30 p.m.

  • Location: Main Library, Room W-207  

  • Host: CTLI.

This hybrid workshop for faculty will help participants with course design and assessment in the era of artificial intelligence.

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  • Date: Tuesday, February 17 from 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
  • Location: Main Library, Room W-207

In this hybrid lecture from Wes Fondren, he shares firsthand accounts of IT mistakes that he made, what keeps him awake at night, what he has heard at other universities that should keep them awake at night, and maybe most surprisingly, hope.

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Sponsors: 

  • Anchor Sponsors:
    • Provost’s Office
    • The MSU Graduate School
  • Other Sponsors:
    • Ethics Institute
    • Office of Research and Innovation
    • MSU IT
    • Career Services
    • College of Social Science
    • College of Natural Science
    • College of Communication Arts and Sciences 
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