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The Graduate School
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  • Background & History
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MSU's plan to keep Spartans safe

Learn More

< Admissions

  • Overview
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  • International Applicants

An MSU graduate education provides the motivation and inspiration for you to move your career forward.

View a list of graduate programs.

< Academics

  • Overview
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  • Theses & Dissertations
  • Policies & Procedures
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  • GradPlan

At MSU, there are many ways to combine areas of study into one or two degrees.

Learn about interdisciplinary study

< Funding

  • Overview
  • Emergency Fellowship Funding
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  • Research Enhancement Award
  • Travel Funding
  • Assistantship Resources
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Find the financial support you need to pursue your graduate studies.

View Funding Opportunities

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The Graduate School provides and curates programs to help students grow as educators.

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View upcoming workshops for graduate students.

Learn More

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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.

View a collection of AI resources from Wes Fondren, curated by Dr. Eric Torng.

Lectures

Monday, February 16

Ethics Week Kickoff Lecture: The Now of AI Ethics: Frightening, Exciting

  • 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.

View Slides
Graduate Education Keynote address: Partnering with AI in Graduate Education

  • 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.

AI in Graduate Education: A Conversation with Grad Students

  • 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.

Tuesday, February 17

A Million Dollar Suitcase: The Dilemma of AI in Undergraduate Education

  • 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.

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 
Programs and TrainingFaculty and Staff
View Slides
View Slides
Course Design & Assessment Workshop

  • 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.

AI and IT: Is IT a Security House of Cards?
  • 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.