OHIO faculty invited to apply to Human-first AI Initiative Faculty Fellows program

Faculty interested in supporting and leading Ohio University's Human-First artificial intelligence initiative are invited to apply for the 2026-27 cohort of faculty fellows.

This effort builds on a solid foundation of investigation and exploration of generative AI's impact on teaching and learning in higher education that has earned the University recognition regionally and nationally.

Led by Associate Professor of Instruction Paul Benedict, College of Business, and Assistant Professor Paul Shovlin, College of Arts and Sciences and Scripps College of Communication, this initiative seeks to expand impact through comprehensive college representation, critical examination of AI at the University, the addition of student fellows to promote the initiative, staff professional development support and support.

The initiative will receive administrative support from the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (CTLA) and its collaborators.

With initiative leadership and the CTLA, AI Faculty Fellows will be expected to:

• Identify and establish fellowship areas of emphasis and project goals.
• Serve as liaisons and provide grassroots leadership to colleges and departments.
• Commit to ongoing critical examination of the impact AI will continue to have on higher education.
• Document use cases that elevate or mitigate the use of AI for sharing with the University community.

Fellows will be asked to commit the equivalent of four hours a week for the period of their appointment. Appointments are available for a semester or academic year with stipends of $2,500 per semester.

Faculty interested in applying should review the CTLA GenAI in Teaching and Learning position statement and OHIO's AI Literacy Framework, particularly noting the principle of critical examination of the technology and its impact. Fellows must be full-time Ohio University faculty with a strong record of teaching excellence and experience with generative artificial intelligence. Applicants will be selected to maximize the diversity of colleges, departments/programs and campuses represented.

To apply, faculty should submit the following:

• A letter of application indicating rationale for application, current purposeful use or non-use of AI in courses and/or professional activities and early areas of potential contributions. 
• An abbreviated CV focusing on fellowship-relevant material.
• A copy of the applicant's 2026-27 anticipated teaching schedule.
• A department chair letter (may be submitted by email) confirming support for a fellowship appointment.

Application documents will be collected here. Deadline for applications is noon, Monday, May 18. Questions about the application process may be directed to ctla@ohio.edu.