The University of Iowa has been selected to participate in the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum, a yearlong program designed to help institutions reimagine teaching, learning, and curriculum in the era of artificial intelligence.
The institute brings together more than 175 colleges and universities to explore how AI is reshaping higher education and how campuses can respond thoughtfully, responsibly, and strategically. It launched with a national kickoff Sept. 11–12 and will continue through the 2025–26 academic year with monthly sessions, mentoring, and collaborative workshops.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Iowa to build on the work already underway to foster excellence in teaching and learning in a rapidly evolving technological landscape,” says Tanya Uden-Holman, associate provost for undergraduate education and dean of University College. “Participating in the AAC&U Institute will allow us to collaborate with national experts and peer institutions to develop evidence-based approaches that keep our university at the forefront of educational innovation.”
University of Iowa AAC&U AI Team
A team of faculty and staff from across the university is participating in the institute, working together to develop an actionable plan for integrating AI into coursework, enhancing teaching practices, and preparing students for a rapidly evolving workforce. The team consists of:
- Stephanie Preschel, team lead, assistant dean, University College
- Allie Brandriet, assistant director, Center for Teaching
- Justin Cosner, associate professor of instruction, Department of English
- Elizabeth Crawford, visiting assistant professor, Rhetoric Department
- Deirdre Egan, associate director, University of Iowa Writing Center
- Victoria Maloy, associate director of instructional services academic technologies, Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology
Building on work already underway in the Department of Rhetoric, the team will focus on developing a framework that instructors across disciplines can use to integrate AI into their departmental curriculum in ways that support student learning while still emphasizing the foundational skills needed for success in their fields.
“Our goal is to create a practical framework that departments across campus can use to integrate AI into their curricula,” says Stephanie Preschel, assistant dean of University College. “We hope to pilot new strategies in rhetoric courses this spring, assess their impact, and then provide a model for broader implementation next fall.”
The university’s participation in the AAC&U institute reflects a larger institutional strategy to explore the broader impact and implications of generative AI across teaching, learning, and scholarship. Guided by its AI Strategy and Guiding Principles, Iowa approaches artificial intelligence as a tool to amplify human potential, enhance collaboration, and expand educational opportunity, while prioritizing ethics, transparency, inclusivity, and academic integrity.
By connecting campus experts with national leaders, Iowa is shaping how AI is used to strengthen teaching, advance learning, and prepare students for the future of work.