About This Session
As generative AI technologies increasingly influence higher education, institutions must support staff in developing practical AI literacy while encouraging thoughtful and responsible adoption. At Harvey Mudd College, the Computer & Information Services department developed two professional development initiatives to provide structured, low-barrier opportunities for staff collaborative learning and experimentation.
This session introduces the design rationale, facilitation strategies, participation patterns, and lessons learned from both initiatives — along with adaptable approaches for attendees to bring back to their own campuses.
The Two Initiatives
Summer of Curiosity: AI
Weekly 90-minute sessions over a summer, designed around peer experience-sharing and focused presentations. Topics ranged from Microsoft Copilot to effective prompting. Participants also interacted through a Google Chat workspace and Classroom, forming a continuing learning community of 22 staff members from academic support, administrative offices, and IT roles.
AI Dip Series
A lighter-weight but recurring format: bi-weekly sessions beginning with a brief lightning presentation on a targeted AI topic, followed by open discussion and optional hands-on exercises. Typically draws 10+ staff per session, demonstrating sustained campus interest well beyond the intensive summer cohort.
What You'll Take Away
- Adaptable approaches for fostering AI literacy among staff — not just faculty
- Strategies for sustaining engagement over time beyond an initial cohort or workshop
- Community-building approaches that encourage ongoing AI experimentation and dialogue
- Practical insights on what participation patterns look like and how to design for them
Learning Outcomes
- Recognize effective structures for sustained AI professional development initiatives at small liberal arts institutions.
- Recognize the factors that influence staff comfort, curiosity, and resistance when engaging with AI tools.
- Apply community-building strategies that encourage ongoing AI experimentation and dialogue at your institution.
Session Description
This session will introduce the design rationale, facilitation strategies, participation patterns, and lessons learned from both the Summer of Curiosity: AI cohort and the ongoing AI Dip series. Attendees will gain adaptable approaches for fostering AI literacy among staff, sustaining engagement over time, and building communities of practice that support collaborative exploration of emerging technologies.