FGCU AI-Aware Initiative (2025-2026)
FGCU has launched the AI Preemptive University Initiative, a multi-year roadmap to responsibly integrate AI into education, research, and operations. Led by the Dendritic Institute, this effort begins with the AI-Aware Initiative (2025–2026) and, over the next years, will advance to embedding AI into advising, curriculum, research, and campus operations while fostering ethical use, interdisciplinary collaboration, and regional partnerships. This initiative aligns directly with FGCU’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan and positions the university as a leader in preparing students, faculty, and the community for the future of AI.
Overview
What is AI-Aware?
AI‑Aware is FGCU’s foundational, one‑year phase in a multi‑year roadmap toward an AI‑Preemptive University. This phase focuses on building AI literacy, piloting responsible policies, auditing institutional readiness, and fostering a culture of safe experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
AI Literacy
Campus‑wide workshops, webinars, and professional development to build essential skills.
Policy Pilots
Modular guidance for instruction, research, operations, and ethics—tested and refined.
Readiness Map
Survey/audit of AI use and needs, plus dashboards for decision‑making.
Communities
Faculty & staff training, communities of practice, and recognition of early adopters.
Dialogue
Advisory groups, forums, and town halls with students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
Communication
Storytelling, newsletters, social media, and showcases to share progress and impact.
Strategic Alignment
Anchored to FGCU's 2024-2029 Strategic Plan
Innovate in Academic Excellence
Embed AI & data literacy across curricula and research to enrich learning and scholarship.
Student Success & Well‑being
Leverage AI for personalized support, proactive advising, and inclusive learning.
Partnerships for Regional Impact
Serve SWFL as an AI living laboratory through forums, pilots, and applied projects.
Organizational Culture & Commitment to Employees
Upskill faculty & staff; establish responsible governance and communities of practice.
Sustainability & Resiliency
Adopt efficient AI solutions and pursue external funding for lasting impact.
Institute Role
Dendritic: The Hub for AI at FGCU
Established in 2024, the Dendritic AI & Data Science Institute integrates interdisciplinary education, applied research, and innovation in AI/DS. Dendritic coordinates AI literacy programs, faculty upskilling, industry forums, summer academies, and applied projects that advance FGCU’s strategic goals.
- Advance AI/DS via research, translation, and funding.
- Elevate visibility across SWFL through community initiatives.
- Strengthen collaborations with industry & government.
- Modernize education via courses, credentials, and micro‑badges.
Pillars
Research Learn More
Academy LEARN MORE
Outreach LEARN MORE
Signature Programs:
AI Academy, Industry Forums, Summer Academy, WCE AI Fellowships, AI Sandbox.
Vision
From AI-Aware to AI-Preeminent
AI‑Aware
Build literacy, audit readiness, draft governance, and pilot use cases.
AI‑Enabled
Scale tools and training across units with a focus on student success and operations.
AI University
Deploy AI assistants and solutions in services, academics, and administration.
AI‑Preeminent
Seamless human‑AI collaboration across the institution; model for higher ed.
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Two Transformational Pillars: AI Academy & AI Excellence Hub
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Year 1 Core Activities
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Campus Literacy
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Institutional Audit
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Governance
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Capacity Building
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Dialogue & Advisory
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Comms & Culture
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Implementation
Timelines & Milestones
Launch literacy programs; form AI Policy Task Force; begin campus AI audit; kick off communications.
Release prompt libraries; draft modular policies; host advisory forums; scope the AI Sandbox.
Publish readiness report; expand professional development (PD); showcase early adopters; continue training.
Refine pilots; broaden participation; hold AI Showcase & Summer Academy; finalize Year‑1 report and transition plan.
Impact
Expected Outcomes
- Increased AI literacy across campus.
- Drafted and piloted policies for instruction, research, and operations.
- Documented institutional AI readiness with dashboards and leadership report.
- Faculty & staff capacity built via PD and communities of practice.
- Greater community engagement and strategic visibility for FGCU.
- Clear transition path into the AI‑Enabled phase.
Deliverables
- Prompt engineering libraries & templates
- Readiness report & dashboard
- Pilot policy suite
- AI Showcase & Summer Academy
- Year‑1 report & transition plan
Participate
Get Involved
Join a community of practice, propose a pilot, or request a workshop for your unit. Students, faculty, staff, and partners are invited to help shape FGCU’s responsible, human‑centered approach to AI.
- Faculty & Staff: Request training/consults; submit pilot ideas.
- Students: Participate in the Summer Academy & forums.
- Partners: Collaborate on applied projects via the AI Excellence Hub.
Visit Dendritic Institute HOmePage
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does AI‑Aware address responsible and ethical AI?
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Will all courses include AI content?
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What is the AI Sandbox?
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Dendritic : A Human-Centered AI and DS Institute
Fort Myers, Florida 33965
(239) 590-1362
dendritic@fgcu.edu
Mon-Fri: 8:00am-5:00pm
