Generative AI isn't going anywhere. How do instructors help students keep their own voice, think critically, and keep their identity intact while using it? In this episode, Dr. Genevieve Condon and Dr. Kimberly Derryberry, faculty members in the psychology department at Colorado Technical University, revisit their Innovative Educators Summit presentation, "Supporting Students in an Era of AI." They dig into what happens neurologically when students lean on AI to write (including new MIT brain-scan research), why writing functions as identity formation and emotional processing, and how CTU is building AI into real coursework, like a leadership course assignment that has students compare their own writing to an AI-generated version. It's a practical, research-backed look at using AI as a tool for learning rather than a substitute for thinking.

In this episode of The Hawkes Edge Podcast, we explore how AI is reshaping higher education far beyond productivity tools and classroom policies. Joined by Louis NeJame, co-founder of Bevel, the conversation dives into the evolving role of curriculum in an AI-driven world and what it means for instructors, students, and the future of learning.

Together, we discuss how AI has the potential to make course design faster and curriculum more adaptive, personalized, and responsive to student needs. This episode challenges higher education to rethink not just the tools we use, but the purpose and structure of learning itself.

From Graphs to Insight-Using Technology to Deepen Student Understanding with Emily Carpenter

We recently chatted with Trenton Jeffers, a senior at Prairie View A&M University, who shared how AI shifted his approach to studying.

In his first year, he relied on basic tools like YouTube and calculators, but AI wasn’t even in the picture then. Fast forward to now, and AI has become his instant tutor—answering questions at any hour, helping him understand complex topics, and even aiding in building a gaming PC! What stood out? The way AI offers immediate, personalized support without replacing the critical thinking he values. Trenton is cautious about overreliance (using AI as a guide, not a crutch) and recognizes its dual edge: great for learning, but a temptation to cheat. This honesty helps us see that AI isn’t about cheating; it’s about finding new ways to learn smarter!

This conversation dives into practical, in-the-classroom strategies that are making a real impact. Jesse Melvin, PhD (Rowan University), shares how he’s experimenting with course design to see higher student engagement and some of the unique uses of AI.

Valerie and Jesse together challenge the hype around AI and refocus the conversation on what matters most: creating intentional, human-centered learning experiences that meet students where they are.

This conversation with Hawkes Learning CEO Scott Virkler explores the role of AI in higher education, focusing on its impact on teaching, learning, and student success. It delves into the evolution of AI, market trends, challenges, and Hawkes Learning's deliberate approach to AI implementation. The discussion also highlights the importance of deliberate building and integration of AI, as well as the future of higher education.

Takeaways

• AI in higher education is about elevating educators and students
• AI implementation requires deliberate building and integration

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to AI in Higher Ed
• 05:37 Hawks Learning as an Early Adopter
• 10:39 Student Success and AI Implementation
• 15:48 Practical Steps for Educators