OHIO Board of Trustees learned about the University’s initiatives to integrate Artificial Intelligence into learning, received sports administration program update from students and faculty

During meetings on April 16 and 17, the Ohio University Board of Trustees learned about the University’s ongoing efforts to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the curriculum, as well as heard from faculty and students from the sports administration program about the current state of the industry and their experiential learning opportunities.

Additionally, the Board approved proposals to rename 35 Park Place to The Burtch House in honor of Bruce (BGS ’72) and Janie Burtch, longtime supporters of Ohio University who played a key role in the early development of the Honors Tutorial College, as well as to establish and name the David N. Keck Center for Applied Mathematics in honor of David N. Keck, a longtime supporter and former faculty member, who has committed significant funding to support faculty, students and research in applied mathematics. 

They approved a certificate of appreciation honoring student trustee Pankaj Karna for his dedicated service, leadership and contributions to Ohio University Board of Trustees and the University community.

The Board also heard from Director of Athletics Slade Larscheid, who provided an update on Ohio University’s Intercollegiate Athletics, including key staffing updates, upcoming football opponents and efforts to boost the visibility of Ohio Athletics. He also provided an overview of the “Stand Up for Ohio Football” giving campaign and its role in supporting the continued growth and success of OHIO’s football program.

Additional highlights from the Board of Trustees’ April meetings included: 

Integrating AI into the classroom
Executive Vice President and Provost Don Leo; Paul Benedict, associate professor of instruction in management and director of the Center for Entrepreneurship; Melinda Rhodes-DiSalvo, executive director of the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment; and Paul Shovlin, assistant professor of English, presented on Ohio University’s AI readiness, outlining the institution’s strengths in AI for teaching and learning, the risks associated with adoption and recent investments. The Board also heard about those who were hired as part of the AI faculty cluster hires and how the University is preparing students for an AI-driven future through general education, upper-level coursework and credentialing opportunities, alongside faculty and staff development through the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment. They emphasized that Ohio University’s decentralized, “human-first AI” approach has encouraged innovation across disciplines while prioritizing ethical AI use, critical thinking and adaptability in alignment with the University’s Dynamic Strategy.

The presentation also highlighted plans to expand the AI Fellows program by adding more faculty and student leaders to help shape AI-related teaching and learning initiatives and create new curricular and co-curricular opportunities. They reported that 264 instructors are currently participating in generative AI certification through the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment, while survey data showed that 60% of faculty respondents have incorporated AI into teaching, often for course design, rubrics and quizzes. 

Celebrating OHIO’s world-renowned Sports Administration Program
The Board heard from Jim Strode, associate dean in the College of Business, and Lamar Reams, chair of Sports Administration, about Ohio University’s Sports Administration program. They provided a brief history of the program, widely recognized as the first of its kind in the world, highlighting its longstanding leadership and impact in the field of sports management education, as well as its distinguished alumni network. They shared that the program ranked top in the nation, according to SportBusiness, and has held the top position nine times since 2012. This spring, 31 master’s students are set to graduate, with 93% of undergraduate and graduate students reporting positive career outcomes within six months of completion.

They also highlighted the program’s emphasis on experiential learning, and how students move from foundational business knowledge in their first year to applying sport business principles in the second year through hands-on, real-world experiences. This approach is embedded across four key areas including co-curricular experiences, curriculum, partnerships and graduate assistantships. They also noted that the program will celebrate its 60th anniversary at a symposium in May, when they will honor Debbie Antonelli as the Charles R. Higgins Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. 

The Board also heard directly from current first-year MBA–MSA students Alex Dugan, Delaney Evans, Liliana Ferreira, Charlie Nowinski and Ethan Tamborski on their areas of interest in the field, as well as some of their defining experiential learning opportunities so far.

Advancing research education through doctoral degrees
EVPP Leo, along with David Koonce, dean of the Graduate College, presented on doctoral degree production at Ohio University. The presentation highlighted the critical role research doctoral programs play in advancing the University’s research mission, scholarly reputation and public impact, as well as their importance in Carnegie’s R1 Classification. The discussion also highlighted OHIO’s doctoral outcomes within national trends.

The Board learned about two current initiatives that reflect OHIO’s shift from descriptive analysis to proactive student support. The first, Doctoral Milestone Tracking, represents a broader cultural and technological change, using real-time dashboards to monitor student progress and consistently track key milestones to improve completion outcomes over time. The second, the Konneker Grant-supported Dissertation Writing Support Program, provides sustained, community-based support for doctoral writers, as well as master’s and Honors Tutorial College students completing theses.

Enrollment update
Vice President for Enrollment Management Candace J. Boeninger provided an enrollment update to the Board highlighting the preliminary census headcounts for spring 2026, as well as updated return rates for the Athens and Regional Campuses. She also provided a brief preview of the fall 2026 entering class ahead of the May 1 National Candidate’s Reply Deadline, including that, ahead of the May 1 National Candidate’s Reply deadline, OHIO is on track to meet its targeted goal of at least 4,300 students for the incoming class. 

She also provided an update on state-level initiatives, including the launch of a new Direct Admission Program set to take effect for the fall 2027 application cycle. The program enables participating colleges and universities to proactively offer admission to eligible students from participating high schools based on data the high school already has, such as GPA, class rank, or standardized test scores. If a student meets an institution’s requirements, then they will receive an offer of direct admission. Boeninger remarked that OHIO has opted into the program for its regional campuses, with the goal of making admissions pathways more visible to families.

Finally, Boeninger outlined preparations for the implementation of federal changes under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which will take effect July 1 and impacts the 2026–27 aid year, which begins at OHIO with summer semester. She described the legislation as a significant shift in federal student aid, including prorated loans for less-than-full-time students, as well as revised loan structures and lower loan limits for programs not designated “professional.”

FY26 Financial update
Vice President of Finance and Administration and CFO David Moore presented the FY26 Financial Update to the Board, reporting favorable revenue forecasts in several key areas. Student Tuition and Fees are projected to exceed expectations and driven by higher undergraduate enrollment in both in-person and online programs. State Appropriations are forecasted to be higher than budget due to Ohio University receiving final SSI allocations for the new Technical Degrees carve-out released in January 2026 and Room and Board revenues are projected to exceed budget, as increased enrollment has led to greater demand for campus housing and participation in OHIO dining plans.

Alumni Association update
Alumni Association Trustee Greg Moore provided the Board with an update from the Ohio University Alumni Association, highlighting the organization’s continued focus on connecting Bobcats to one another and to Ohio University through meaningful alumni engagement. He emphasized that alumni relations is guided by a dynamic strategy aimed at initiating, sustaining and deepening constituent relationships while building an active and unmatched network of alumni. These efforts are designed to strengthen connections, prepare students for the workforce and expand opportunities for student mentorship, career development, volunteerism and giving.

Moore also shared progress on the association’s strategic priorities, which center on strengthening and sustaining alumni and donor engagement in support of the University’s mission and broader strategic goals. As part of that effort, the association continues to expand engagement through communications, experiential opportunities, volunteerism and philanthropy, with 63,000 engaged alumni. He also highlighted the success of the Bobcat Mentoring Program, which currently includes 84 active mentor pairs, reflecting the growing impact of alumni coaching and mentorship initiatives.

President’s report
In her report to the Board, President Lori Stewart Gonzalez highlighted several recent accomplishments and strategic priorities across the University. She reaffirmed the University’s commitment to freedom of expression, welcomed Connor Gaugler as a new trustee beginning in June and noted how Ohio University continues to be known in the nation as a prime location to see cherry blossoms and the strength of our partnership with Chubu University. She also celebrated the OHIO Men’s Hockey Team for winning its first national championship since 2004, the installation of a new advanced research spectrometer that will expand opportunities for faculty and students and the University earning the Military Friendly School designation for the 14th consecutive year.

President Gonzalez also emphasized the significance of the upcoming state capital budget and recognized several faculty achievements, including College of Arts and Sciences’ Sarah Wyatt who was honored as the distinguished professor, along with those who received top recognitions during the Faculty Awards Ceremony, including College of Health Science’s and Professions’ Rebecca Crawford who received the Rising Star Teacher Award, Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts’ Christi Camper Moore who received the Presidential Teacher Award and Wyatt who received the inaugural Service Award. She highlighted a deeper partnership between the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and Kettering Health to enhance clinical education and research across Ohio and noted that the University’s Dynamic Strategy is entering its third year, with plans to refine priorities over the summer while continuing the strong momentum built during the initiative’s first two years.

In other business, the Board also approved:

• The establishment of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Organizational Development and Professional Studies program in University College.
• The establishment of the Bachelor of Arts in Classics and Religious Studies in the Department of Classics and Religious Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. 
• The establishment of the Bachelor of Science in Construction Management & Management Technology program in the Department of Civil Engineering in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology. 
• The establishment of the Doctor of Nursing Education in School of Nursing in the College of Health Sciences and Professions. 
• The establishment of the Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory program in School of Exercise Physiology in the College of Health Sciences and Professions. 
• Modifications to 51 programs.
• The inactivation of 20 programs. 
• Thirty-six new courses, 125 course modifications and 18 course deactivations in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code Section 3345.457, which requires the Board of Trustees of each state institution of higher education to approve all curricular matters.
• The granting of a 25-year easement on OHIO Eastern’s campus to AEP for purposes of installing new poles and equipment along State Route 331.
• The declaration of 28 acres across from 45425 National Road, St. Clairsville, Ohio on OHIO Eastern’s campus to be surplus property. 
• An increase in the domestic undergraduate Application for Admission and Scholarships fee for the Athens campus from $50 to $55 beginning with the 2026-2027 application cycle.
• A quasi-endowment name change from The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Primary Care Endowed Scholarship to The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Physician of the Future Endowed Scholarship to complement the new permanent endowment established by the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation.
• Matthew Evans elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the year beginning May 14, 2026, and ending May 13, 2027.
• Cynthia Calhoun elected Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the year beginning May 14, 2026, and ending May 13, 2027.