Academic Technology and Support Services (ATSS) provides faculty and staff support for teaching, learning, technology and digital systems across Wake Tech. Our team partners with employees to support course delivery, instructional tools, technical services and campus technology needs. We provide consultations, training, troubleshooting, course support and technology guidance designed to meet a range of instructional and workplace needs.
ATSS brings together several key support areas that serve Wake Tech faculty and staff:
- E-learning – support for Blackboard and teaching technology
- LMS administration – administration and support for Blackboard and related systems
- Instructional design – course design, teaching strategies and faculty development
- IT Service Desk – technical support and help services
- Technology solutions – support for institutional technology tools and equipment
Not sure where to go? Email [email protected] or submit a form requesting assistance, and an Academic Technology and Support Services staff member will respond.
AI Innovation Week
The Wake Tech community comes together for a week of exploration, conversation and hands-on learning around artificial intelligence. Hear from industry and education leaders, discover how Wake Tech faculty and staff are experimenting with AI, learn from student experiences and explore practical tools and ideas you can put to use. Whether you are already experimenting with AI or simply curious about where to begin, you are invited to join the conversation.
Join us for one session, several sessions, or the entire week – choose the topics that interest you. Sessions may be attended in person at the Southern Wake Campus Conference Center or virtually unless otherwise noted. Virtual access details will be provided with event registration and confirmation information.
NOTE: Schedule and session details are subject to change.
Schedule
Day/Time
Presenter
Session
Audience
Monday
9-9:30 a.m.
9-9:30 a.m.
AI Innovation Week Welcome
General
Monday
9:30-10 a.m.
9:30-10 a.m.
Erin Doughney
Associate Professor
Biology
Associate Professor
Biology
How I Updated My Course with AI Guidelines
(Virtual only)
Explore strategies for creating clear AI usage guidelines and helping students use AI to enhance studying rather than as a shortcut. Session includes the results from a survey examining how students use AI and how they want instructors to approach conversations when AI may be replacing too much of their own thinking.
(Virtual only)
Explore strategies for creating clear AI usage guidelines and helping students use AI to enhance studying rather than as a shortcut. Session includes the results from a survey examining how students use AI and how they want instructors to approach conversations when AI may be replacing too much of their own thinking.
Faculty and staff
Monday
10:15-10:45 a.m.
10:15-10:45 a.m.
Corinne Bigler
Associate Dean
Student Transitions
Associate Dean
Student Transitions
Using Copilot to Build Interview Questions and Evaluation Rubrics
(Virtual only)
Discover how Copilot can help hiring committees develop thoughtful interview questions and evaluation rubrics for staff and faculty searches. This practical, hands-on session demonstrates effective prompting techniques using real Wake Tech job descriptions. Attendees can bring a job description for an open position on their team or follow along using the examples provided.
(Virtual only)
Discover how Copilot can help hiring committees develop thoughtful interview questions and evaluation rubrics for staff and faculty searches. This practical, hands-on session demonstrates effective prompting techniques using real Wake Tech job descriptions. Attendees can bring a job description for an open position on their team or follow along using the examples provided.
Faculty and staff
Monday
11-11:30 a.m.
11-11:30 a.m.
Christine Cade
Assistant Professor
Chemistry
Assistant Professor
Chemistry
AI Interview with a Historical Figure
Explore a creative classroom use of AI through an activity that invites students to interact with a historical figure. Session shares an example of using generative AI to create an engaging learning experience while encouraging students to think critically about the information AI provides.
Explore a creative classroom use of AI through an activity that invites students to interact with a historical figure. Session shares an example of using generative AI to create an engaging learning experience while encouraging students to think critically about the information AI provides.
Faculty and staff
Monday
11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Karriem Kanston
Business Counselor
Business Counselor
How to Use AI to Research, Find & Apply for Business Grants
(Virtual only)
Explore practical ways AI can support the process of researching and identifying business grant opportunities. Session introduces ways entrepreneurs and small-business owners can use AI as a tool while navigating the grant research and application process.
(Virtual only)
Explore practical ways AI can support the process of researching and identifying business grant opportunities. Session introduces ways entrepreneurs and small-business owners can use AI as a tool while navigating the grant research and application process.
General
Monday
12-1 p.m.
12-1 p.m.
AI Exploration Hall
Informal conversations, hands-on activities, tool exploration and opportunities to connect with colleagues who are experimenting with AI across Wake Tech
Informal conversations, hands-on activities, tool exploration and opportunities to connect with colleagues who are experimenting with AI across Wake Tech
General
Monday
1-1:30 p.m.
1-1:30 p.m.
Kimberlee Blocker
Instructor
Human Resources
Instructor
Human Resources
Your Presentation Doesn't End When You Stop Talking
Discover how Lovable can turn everyday ideas into practical, interactive tools – no technical background required. See examples of AI-powered assessments, websites, lead-generation tools and custom apps, and leave with ideas for using AI to bring your own ideas to life.
Discover how Lovable can turn everyday ideas into practical, interactive tools – no technical background required. See examples of AI-powered assessments, websites, lead-generation tools and custom apps, and leave with ideas for using AI to bring your own ideas to life.
Faculty and staff
Monday
1:45-2:15 p.m.
1:45-2:15 p.m.
Jeffrey Banham
Assistant Professor
Cloud Infrastructure
Assistant Professor
Cloud Infrastructure
Getting Started with Copilot Agents: A Real-World Grading Workflow
See how a Copilot agent is providing significant time savings in a real-world assignment grading workflow. Lessons learned are shared, along with practical advice and strategies for getting started with AI agents. Designed for novice, beginner and intermediate Copilot users.
See how a Copilot agent is providing significant time savings in a real-world assignment grading workflow. Lessons learned are shared, along with practical advice and strategies for getting started with AI agents. Designed for novice, beginner and intermediate Copilot users.
Faculty and staff
Monday
2:30-3:30 p.m.
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Coralee Schmitz
Chief Operating Officer
GoMo Health
Jim Delaney
Principal Consultant and Instructor
Talent Experience Group
Chief Operating Officer
GoMo Health
Jim Delaney
Principal Consultant and Instructor
Talent Experience Group
Wellness in the Age of AI: Finding Your Balance
(Virtual only)
Explore how AI is changing the future of work – and how to stay mentally strong and confident as that change unfolds. Grounded in behavioral science and brain health principles, this interactive session offers practical strategies for reducing stress, navigating uncertainty, building resilience and maintaining balance in an AI-driven world.
(Virtual only)
Explore how AI is changing the future of work – and how to stay mentally strong and confident as that change unfolds. Grounded in behavioral science and brain health principles, this interactive session offers practical strategies for reducing stress, navigating uncertainty, building resilience and maintaining balance in an AI-driven world.
General
Tuesday
9-9:30 a.m.
9-9:30 a.m.
Dr. Kalpana Kanwar
Instructor
Math & Physics
Instructor
Math & Physics
From Error to Insight: Using AI to Support Student Thinking
See how AI can be used as a tool to intentionally create realistic student mistakes and turn them into meaningful error-analysis activities. Using examples from MAT-171, the session explores how students can identify, explain and correct errors while strengthening critical-thinking skills.
See how AI can be used as a tool to intentionally create realistic student mistakes and turn them into meaningful error-analysis activities. Using examples from MAT-171, the session explores how students can identify, explain and correct errors while strengthening critical-thinking skills.
Faculty and staff
Tuesday
9:30-10:15 a.m.
9:30-10:15 a.m.
Richie Larison
AI Engineer
AI Engineer
Humanizing AI: How to Think About AI as a Tool, Not a Crutch
AI can transform how we work and learn, but are people becoming more capable or simply more dependent on the technology? Explore what it means to use AI in ways that enhance human agency rather than replace human judgment. Look at risks of overreliance on AI and get a practical framework for thinking about accountability, expertise, productivity and keeping humans at the center of AI-enabled work.
AI can transform how we work and learn, but are people becoming more capable or simply more dependent on the technology? Explore what it means to use AI in ways that enhance human agency rather than replace human judgment. Look at risks of overreliance on AI and get a practical framework for thinking about accountability, expertise, productivity and keeping humans at the center of AI-enabled work.
General
Tuesday
10:30-11:30 a.m.
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Bill Higgins
Vice President for AI Developer Relations & Distinguished Engineer
IBM
Vice President for AI Developer Relations & Distinguished Engineer
IBM
Transforming Development in the Age of AI
General
Tuesday
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
AI Exploration Hall
Informal conversations, hands-on activities, tool exploration and opportunities to connect with colleagues who are experimenting with AI across Wake Tech
Informal conversations, hands-on activities, tool exploration and opportunities to connect with colleagues who are experimenting with AI across Wake Tech
General
Tuesday
1-2 p.m.
1-2 p.m.
Dr. Jacqueline Brown Smith
Educator, Author & Leadership Strategist
Educator, Author & Leadership Strategist
Human-Centered Leadership in an AI-Driven World: Practical Frameworks for Leading People While Leveraging Artificial Intelligence
General
Tuesday
2-3 p.m.
2-3 p.m.
Wake Tech students
Student Voices: Creating, Exploring & Preparing for an AI Future
General
Wednesday
9-10 a.m.
9-10 a.m.
Richie Larison
AI Engineer
AI Engineer
Building an Agent from Soup to Nuts
Learn what an AI agent is and how it differs from a bot while exploring the building blocks that make agents work. Learn when to use Copilot Studio versus Copilot Studio Lite; how knowledge, instructions, tools and actions work together; how Power Automate fits into agent development; and strategies for testing and improving an agent.
Learn what an AI agent is and how it differs from a bot while exploring the building blocks that make agents work. Learn when to use Copilot Studio versus Copilot Studio Lite; how knowledge, instructions, tools and actions work together; how Power Automate fits into agent development; and strategies for testing and improving an agent.
Faculty and staff
Wednesday
10-10:30 a.m.
10-10:30 a.m.
Erik Sugg
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designer
AI for Study Aids
Explore practical ways AI can support the creation of study aids that help learners review, organize and engage with course content. This session will share approachable ideas for using AI as a learning support tool.
Explore practical ways AI can support the creation of study aids that help learners review, organize and engage with course content. This session will share approachable ideas for using AI as a learning support tool.
General
Wednesday
10:30-11 a.m.
10:30-11 a.m.
AI Exploration Hall/Hands-on AI Activities
Informal conversations, hands-on activities, tool exploration and opportunities to connect with colleagues who are experimenting with AI across Wake Tech
Informal conversations, hands-on activities, tool exploration and opportunities to connect with colleagues who are experimenting with AI across Wake Tech
General
Wednesday
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Wake Tech students
Student AI Showcase
Students share projects, ideas and real-world examples of how they are experimenting with AI. The showcase highlights student-created work and the thinking behind how AI is being used as a tool for learning, problem-solving and creation.
Students share projects, ideas and real-world examples of how they are experimenting with AI. The showcase highlights student-created work and the thinking behind how AI is being used as a tool for learning, problem-solving and creation.
General
Wednesday
12-1 p.m.
12-1 p.m.
AI Exploration Hall
Informal conversations, hands-on activities, tool exploration and opportunities to connect with colleagues who are experimenting with AI across Wake Tech
Informal conversations, hands-on activities, tool exploration and opportunities to connect with colleagues who are experimenting with AI across Wake Tech
General
Wednesday
1-2 p.m.
1-2 p.m.
Mary Anne Barckhoff
Instructor
Data Science & Programming Support Services
Instructor
Data Science & Programming Support Services
Using AI to Foster Durable Skills
Explore what durable skills are and how AI can be used to challenge and engage students in developing them. Learn strategies for writing effective AI prompts and using chatbots to incorporate creative problem-solving, gamification, role-playing and simulations into course exercises and assignments.
Explore what durable skills are and how AI can be used to challenge and engage students in developing them. Learn strategies for writing effective AI prompts and using chatbots to incorporate creative problem-solving, gamification, role-playing and simulations into course exercises and assignments.
Faculty and staff
Wednesday
2-3 p.m.
2-3 p.m.
Wake Tech students
Student Voices: Learning, Thinking & AI
Students discuss how AI is affecting learning, critical thinking, creativity and the way they approach coursework. This facilitated conversation will surface both the opportunities students see in AI and their concerns about overreliance, cognitive offloading and maintaining meaningful learning.
Students discuss how AI is affecting learning, critical thinking, creativity and the way they approach coursework. This facilitated conversation will surface both the opportunities students see in AI and their concerns about overreliance, cognitive offloading and maintaining meaningful learning.
General
Thursday
9-9:45 a.m.
9-9:45 a.m.
Alex Hull
Accessibility Technologist
Accessibility Technologist
Be the Human in the Loop: How You and AI Can Work Toward Accessible Content
With new accessibility requirements going into effect next year, making online content accessible can feel daunting. This session explores practical ways to use AI to support accessibility workflows while emphasizing the essential role you play as the "human in the loop."
With new accessibility requirements going into effect next year, making online content accessible can feel daunting. This session explores practical ways to use AI to support accessibility workflows while emphasizing the essential role you play as the "human in the loop."
Faculty and staff
Thursday
9:45-10:30 a.m.
9:45-10:30 a.m.
Katie Surber
Manager
Instructional Design & Development
Manager
Instructional Design & Development
Meet Gemini: Exploring AI for Teaching & Learning
Get an introduction to Gemini and explore practical ways it can support teaching and learning. This session offers a guided look at the tool, with examples designed to help faculty consider where Gemini may fit into their own instructional workflows.
Get an introduction to Gemini and explore practical ways it can support teaching and learning. This session offers a guided look at the tool, with examples designed to help faculty consider where Gemini may fit into their own instructional workflows.
Faculty and staff
Thursday
11:15-11:45 a.m.
11:15-11:45 a.m.
Ashley Morris
Instructor
Pre-Curriculum
Instructor
Pre-Curriculum
Using AI to Increase Rigor in the STEM Class
(Virtual only)
Explore what rigor and productive struggle look like in the STEM classroom and how AI can support both. Learn how to build an AI agent that uses your course content as a guide to create rigorous problems that challenge students without removing the thinking from the learning process.
(Virtual only)
Explore what rigor and productive struggle look like in the STEM classroom and how AI can support both. Learn how to build an AI agent that uses your course content as a guide to create rigorous problems that challenge students without removing the thinking from the learning process.
Faculty and staff
Thursday
12-1 p.m.
12-1 p.m.
AI Exploration Hall
Informal conversations, hands-on activities, tool exploration and opportunities to connect with colleagues who are experimenting with AI across Wake Tech
Informal conversations, hands-on activities, tool exploration and opportunities to connect with colleagues who are experimenting with AI across Wake Tech
General
Thursday
1-2 p.m.
1-2 p.m.
Mike Reilly
Friday Institute
N.C. State University
Friday Institute
N.C. State University
AI in Agriculture: Connecting Students to Emerging Technologies
General
Friday
9-9:45 a.m.
9-9:45 a.m.
Ashley Morris
Instructor
Pre-Curriculum
Instructor
Pre-Curriculum
Create an AI Tutor
Learn step by step how to build an AI-powered tutor for your students using Copilot. A laptop is welcome but not required.
Learn step by step how to build an AI-powered tutor for your students using Copilot. A laptop is welcome but not required.
Faculty and staff
Friday
10-11 a.m.
10-11 a.m.
Becky Evans-Wilson
Friday Institute
N.C. State University
Friday Institute
N.C. State University
Transparency is a Two-Way Street: Creating AI Policies With Students
Faculty and staff
Friday
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Wake Tech students
Student Voices: AI, College & What's Next
Hear directly from students about how they are using AI in coursework, projects and everyday learning and how they think it may shape their future careers. Students share practical examples, questions, concerns and advice for navigating AI responsibly and effectively.
Hear directly from students about how they are using AI in coursework, projects and everyday learning and how they think it may shape their future careers. Students share practical examples, questions, concerns and advice for navigating AI responsibly and effectively.
General
Friday
12:30-1 p.m.
12:30-1 p.m.
AI Exploration Hall
Informal conversations, hands-on activities, tool exploration and opportunities to connect with colleagues who are experimenting with AI across Wake Tech
Informal conversations, hands-on activities, tool exploration and opportunities to connect with colleagues who are experimenting with AI across Wake Tech
General
Friday
1-2 p.m.
1-2 p.m.
What's Ahead? The Future of AI at Wake Tech + Closing
General
Translation
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