The fall 2023 semester at West Virginia University, as well as numerous other public institutions, was like no other. According to Forbes.com (12.8.23), that semester marked the first increase in college enrollment since pre-pandemic times. Unfortunately, the number of first-year students decreased. Additionally, many higher education institutions were forced to cut programs and faculty because of budget issues. In some cases, those affected – students and faculty - voiced their concerns by protesting, demonstrating, and attempting to rally support from legislators. Added to an already tumultuous situation was the advancement of artificial intelligence which resulted in the necessity to regulate and teach proper use.
The Premise Document, originally written by PSA Michael DiBacco (Cohort 6, Class of 2023), provided the foundation behind the Presidential Student Ambassador Summits, the all-encompassing theme being “R” You Listening?
While Summit I in 2022 and Summit II in 2023 focused
on pandemic-related concerns – i.e., Recruitment, Retention, and Reinvigoration
– Summit III introduced three new themes. They included (1) Restoring Trust in
Higher Education, (2) Reinforcing Student Voice, and (3) Reimagining Higher
Education with Artificial Intelligence.
The two objectives of Summit III were:
(1) To discuss the status of WVU regarding restoring trust in
higher education, reinforcing student voice, and reimagining higher education
with artificial intelligence
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