Building a Future with AI for Everyone
At Grand Valley State University, we believe technology is for everyone. Join a community of innovators dedicated to creating ethical, impactful AI that serves all of society.
Exploring the Future of AI, Together
At Grand Valley State University (GVSU), we are actively exploring the nearly endless possibilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI). From the classroom to our administrative offices, we integrate AI with a liberal arts foundation, ensuring our students are not just skilled technicians, but also critical thinkers, ethical leaders, and creative problem solvers. We are committed to ensuring all Lakers are equipped to thrive in this evolving landscape. We strive to be a hub for the entire community, students, faculty, staff, and industry partners, to collaborate and build the future of AI in West Michigan and beyond.
This page is a starting point for that journey, a place to connect with our campus champions, discover available tools, and join the conversation. We invite you to get involved and help us shape the future of AI at GVSU!
A recent survey from BestColleges shows that three out of four college students are already using generative AI tools like ChatGPT for their schoolwork, demonstrating its impact and relevance in today's academic environment.
According to Stanford's 2024 AI Index Report, the number of job postings in the US mentioning AI or generative AI has increased by 42% over the last two years, highlighting the critical demand for graduates with AI skills.
According to a recent Work Trend Index Annual Report by Microsoft/LinkedIn, 79% of leaders say AI is a competitive necessity and 66% say they would not hire someone without AI skills signaling to students and faculty that AI literacy is essential for long-term career impact.
AI Spotlight: Meet Our AI Navigators
The Administrative Professional (AP) Committee and the Alliance of Professional Support Staff (APSS) collaborated to assemble a group of AI Navigators, a cross-campus team of staff who are using AI in their daily work to tell their stories.
Faculty & Staff Navigators
Raymond Higbea on Using Blackboard's AI
Associate Professor of Health Administration
Karen Niemchick on Google's NotebookLM
Associate Professor of Public Health
Genna Brong on Using ChatGPT for Data Analysis
Associate Professor of Public Health
This summer, faculty members Raymond Higbea and Julia Vandermolen explored new possibilities in teaching and learning through our Blackboard AI Design Assistant pilot. These short videos share how they used the tool to refresh and enhance their curriculum and the ideas they're eager to incorporate into their courses. Visit our Blackboard AI Design Assistant website to learn more about the available tools, browse frequently asked questions, and view a sample syllabus statement we recommend including to promote transparency with students.
In this video, listen to Karen Niemchick (Associate Professor of Public Health) as she shares how she used NotebookLM to turn her written syllabus into a short, engaging podcast for students. In this video, she shares how this AI-powered tool helps her summarize key course details, personalize the message, and make the syllabus more relatable. NotebookLM is currently available as part of our GV Google license. If you don't have a GVSU Google account, you can submit a request in our Service Portal. For more information about getting started, visit Google's NotebookLM page now.
In this video, listen to Genna Brong (Administrative Assistant OMBUDS Office) as she shares how she used ChatGPT to manage an exponential increase in data analysis requests and reporting requirements. She shares how this AI-powered tool helps her office communicate more effectively with university stakeholders, streamline complex workflows through specific prompting, and maintain high standards for data privacy.
AI Events
AI Town Hall Discussion- City Campus
Monday, March 16, 2026
1:00
p.m.
- 2:30
p.m.
Join us at an AI Town Hall discussion at the L. William Seidman Center (SCB 1008B), which is located at 50 Front Grand Rapids, MI. We will share results from our recent AI survey and take your input on the continued evolution of GVSU's AI strategy.
AI Town Hall Discussion- Valley Campus
Thursday, March 19, 2026
9:00
a.m.
- 10:30
a.m.
Join us at an upcoming AI Town Hall discussion at the Kirkhof Center as we share results from our recent AI survey and take your input on the continued evolution of GVSU's AI strategy.
Current AI Tools & Resources
GVSU provides access to a variety of enterprise applications and eLearning-supported technologies that leverage AI to enhance teaching, learning, and productivity. Explore the tools available to you below.
Using Blackboard's AI features is entirely optional and at the discretion of each instructor. Instructors are prompted to review all content generated by the AI Design Assistant. AI Tools include: AI Discussion Prompts, AI Generated Test Banks, AI Journal Prompts, AI Conversations, AI Role Playing, AI Rubric Generator, AI Assignment Prompts, AI Documents for formatting suggestions, AI Learning Module Generator for formatting suggestions. More information can be found on our AI Design Assistant website. Knowledge base “how-to” articles can be found in our service portal.
Blackboard Ally assists faculty by scanning course content for accessibility issues, offering guidance on how to fix them, and improving the overall inclusivity and usability of Blackboard courses. To learn more about Ally, visit Blackboard's Ally page now.
Includes live transcription & closed captions, virtual backgrounds and touch-ups, and Zoom AI Chat. For more information, visit Zoom's AI page.
This video editing tool features automatic speech-to-text captioning (users should edit for accuracy), AI-driven noise removal, and automatic zoom/pan effects. Note: This is a pay-for subscription and not an enterprise license. For more information, visit Camtasia's AI page.
Available under our Education license. NotebookLM allows you to upload documents to create summarized notebooks with cited responses. Gemini is a powerful chat assistant integrated into Docs, Sheets, and Slides to help draft text, generate images, and create formulas. See Google's NotebookLM help resource or Gemini's help resource for more information respectively. If you need a GVSU Google account, please visit this GVSU knowledge base article to learn how to request a GVSU Google account.
Offers AI-powered grammar, spelling, clarity, style, and rewrite suggestions in Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Note: Advanced Copilot features are not licensed at GVSU.
Features automatic AI Captions (ASR) in 20+ languages (users should edit for accuracy), Smart Search with keyword indexing across speech and screen text, and Smart Chapters to auto-generate video navigation. See Panopto's FAQ help resource for more information about captioning.
Generate an entire Padlet board with a prompt using the 'I can’t draw' feature to create AI images from text. Also includes auto-transcription and captioning of uploaded video/audio comments. See Padlet's help resource for more information about their AI capabilities.
Generate custom images and design templates from text prompts. Use Generative Fill to describe visual edits and apply them. Apply creative AI-generated styles to text. See Adobe's help resource on the various tools and their AI capabilities.
Need help integrating these tools into your course or workflow?
Responsible AI: Policies & Guidelines
As we embrace the potential of AI, we are committed to its ethical and responsible use. The following resources provide guidance for the GVSU community.
AI in Teaching
There is no question that the ever-growing landscape of generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, CoPilot, DALL-E) continue to impact higher education. Since we started gathering and sharing resources on the subject, more and more products and platforms that we
Acceptable Use Policy for Public AI Solutions
This policy applies to all members of the GVSU community, including students, faculty, staff, and any external partners engaged in activities involving AI in relation to university projects.
The futurEDlab is a collaborative platform uniting people, ideas, and technology to spark innovation and shape the future of education at GVSU.
As a central hub and collaboratory within the Blue Dot Lab ecosystem, the futurEDlab provides a unified platform for students, faculty, and staff to discover, explore, and experiment with emerging technologies. Our mission is to proactively shape the learning experience by fostering a culture of innovation and turning bold ideas into transformative solutions.
Navigating the Future: Meet JoeBot, GVSU’s Policy Expert Avatar Concept
Innovation in Action: The JoeBot AI Experiment Meet JoeBot, GVSU’s pilot AI avatar designed to turn complex university policies into instant, conversational answers. Explore how this IT I&R proof-of-concept is shaping the future of student support and dig
Published February 6, 2026 by Joseph Van Harken
ProfAI: Create Videos with AI Avatars
Empowering GVSU Professors to create video learning modules via their AI Digital Twins
Published December 1, 2025 by Joseph Van Harken
Have an idea for a pilot?
AI in Action: Impacting Our Community
GVSU Researchers Harness Drones and AI to Combat Invasive Tree Diseases in Michigan
GVSU's Dr. Rahat Ibn Rafiq aDr. Rahat Ibn Rafiq and his research team, including graduate assistant Muttaki Bismoy leads a project using drones and AI to protect Michigan forests from invasive diseases, partnering with the DNR, Grand Haven, and Kalamazoo.
Published May 12, 2025 by Dr. Rahat Ibn Rafiq
Faculty-Led Innovation (Herd Social)
Dr. Zach DeBruine, an College of Computing faculty mentor and researcher in GVSU's Applied Computing Institute launches a startup Herd Social that fosters community and learning around rare diseases.
Published September 23, 2024
Blue Nucleus Consultancy
We connect industry partners with faculty and student expertise to solve real-world computing challenges, driving economic growth and innovation in the region.
Published May 6, 2024
Artificial Intelligence is transforming every industry and at the College of Computing, we believe everyone should have access to the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven world.
Whether you are a community learner, working professional, undergraduate, or graduate student, our AI ecosystem offers flexible, high-quality learning pathways, from free online courses to advanced degrees, grounded in ethics, real-world impact, and workforce relevance.
Why AI at the College of Computing?
- Human-centered and ethical by design
- Strong industry and workforce alignment
- Multiple entry points for learners at every stage
- Free community education to advanced research and leadership
Visit the College of Computing AI Resources page to learn more.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Undergraduate Major
Allendale • Face to face • 120 Credits
Build a strong foundation in core AI principles, machine learning, and data science with our B.S. in Artificial Intelligence. Learn more about B.S. in Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI)Minor (M)
Undergraduate Minor
Allendale • Face to face • Hybrid • Online • 21 Credits
Technical and interdisciplinary curriculum grounded in computer science, cybersecurity, and software engineering, the program provides substantial practical learning opportunities through lab work and collaborative projects. Learn about the Undergraduate AI Minor
Artificial Intelligence (AI)Master of Science (M.S.)
Graduate Major
Grand Rapids • Face to face • Hybrid • Online • 33 Credits
Advance your expertise with our M.S. in Artificial Intelligence. Lead complex AI projects through specialized coursework and research. Learn more about the M.S. in Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Foundations
Undergraduate Certificate
Allendale • Face to face • Hybrid • Online • 12 Credits
Upskill and specialize in high-growth areas of AI. Designed for working professionals seeking to adapt and excel. Learn more about the AI Foundations Undergraduate Certificate
Join Our AI Community
Ready to be part of a diverse and innovative community? Connect with us to learn more about our programs, research, and industry partnerships.
Get Involved
- Join The AI Collective
- Join an AI Working Group
- Attend the next AI Town Hall
- Contribute your story or innovation idea
Contact Us
Email: [email protected]