Harnessing AI to Advance GW's Strategic Framework
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping higher education, and at GW, it plays a critical role in advancing all three priorities of the university’s Strategic Framework. To ensure AI is harnessed thoughtfully and in alignment with GW’s mission, President Ellen M. Granberg announced a university-wide strategic mapping exercise to identify current AI uses, opportunities, and risks across research, teaching, and operations, led by Senior Advisor to the President on AI Strategy, Dr. Zoe Szajnfarber. This collaborative effort will inform the development of GW’s institutional AI strategy and lay the foundation for principled, impactful adoption of AI across the university.
Mapping Goals
Research
To identify GW's unique differentiators in AI research and to provide the research community with tools for productive and responsible engagement.
Education
To determine what skills students need to thrive after graduation and to understand how AI is reshaping teaching and learning in the classroom.
Operations
To assess the opportunities and risks of integrating AI into workflows and to identify necessary support for staff during this transition.
Timeline
- December 2025:
- AI mapping exercise announced
- Working group co-chairs named
- Data collection survey sent to GW leadership for distribution within units
- January 2026:
- GW community members invited to join working groups
- February 2026:
- Opportunities for broader community input through surveys and focus groups
- March 2026:
- Working groups analyze input and summarize their initial findings
- April/May 2026:
- Preliminary reports are shared with stakeholders for feedback and refinement before delivering recommendations
- August 2026:
- Publication of the AI@GW Mapping Report
Working Groups
The Working Groups comprised 49 faculty members and staff representing 23 schools and units. Zoe Szanjfarber, Professor of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering and Senior Advisor to the President on AI Strategy, led the AI@GW Mapping Exercise.
- Research Working Group Members
Co-Chairs:
- David Broniatowski, Professor of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering at GW Engineering
- Ted McKoy, Assistant Director for Award Set-up and Subaward Management in the Office of Sponsored Projects
Goals:
- Understand AI as an enabler (and complicator) of the research enterprise, in terms of both research itself and research administration
- Identify what support researchers and staff administrators need to engage productively and responsibly with these technologies
Research Working Group Members
- Lorien Abroms, SPH, Professor of Prevention and Community Health; Associate Dean for PhD & MS Programs
- Amal Cavender, LAI, Middle East & North Africa Area Studies Specialist
- Geetha Chilukamarri, IT, Enterprise Systems Developer
- Evangeline (Evie) Downie, Interim Vice President for Research
- Rohini Ganjoo, SMHS, Associate Professor of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences and of Physician Assistant Studies
- Clark Gaylord, IT, Director, Research Technology Services
- Kristin Johnson, Law, Lyle T. Alverson Professor of Law
- Scott Pace, ESIA, Professor of Practice and Director of the Space Policy Institute
- Micah (Mike) Sanders, GWIPP, Senior Research Associate
- Caroline Seaback, HR, Human Resources Director, Research
- Shelley Shearer, Finance - Procure-to-Pay Department, Director, University Payables
- Mohini Singh, Finance - Office of the University Controller, Compliance and Audit Manager
- Jason Stonewall, SPH, Senior Subcontract Coordinator
- Sherrie Wallington, SON, Professor of Nursing; Associate Center Director for Community Outreach & Engagement, GW Cancer Center
- Education Working Group Members
Co-Chairs:
- Ryan Watkins, Professor of Educational Technology Leadership in the Graduate School of Education and Human Development
- Karen Singer-Freeman, Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning Excellence in the Center for Teaching Excellence
Goals:
- Understand what GW students need to know about AI and what skills they need to thrive in a post-graduation world where AI will be commonplace
- Understand how the presence of AI in the classroom should change teaching and learning
- Determine what supports are necessary for the people at the center of that evolution, including tools, training and beyond
Education Working Group Members
- Kyle Albert, GWIPP, Associate Research Professor
- Eric Arnesen, CCAS, James R. Hoffa Teamsters Professor of Modern American Labor History
- Anthony Artino, SMHS, Associate Dean for Educational Research; Professor of Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences
- Taylor Baugher, LAI, Research Services Librarian
- Vikram Bhargava, GWSB, Assistant Professor of Strategic Management and Public Policy
- Kelley Bishop, Office of Enrollment and Student Success, Associate Vice Provost for University Career Services
- Jeffrey (Jeff) Brand, Office of the Provost, Associate Provost, Undergraduate Affairs & Special Programs
- Alexander (Alex) Dent, CCAS, Professor of Anthropology and International Affairs
- Sylvain Guiriec, CCAS, Associate Professor of Physics
- John (JP) Helveston, SEAS, Associate Professor of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering
- Hannah Jardine, LAI, Director, Faculty Development
- Jose Carlos Linares, CPS, Advisory Council Member; CEO - IG Digital; Lecturer
- Miro Liwosz, SON, Assistant Dean, Online Learning & Instructional Technology, SON
- Elizabeth Rigby, CCAS, Associate Professor of Public Policy and Public Administration & of Political Science
- Phyllis Ryder, CCAS, Executive Director of the University Writing Program; Associate Professor of Writing
- Emmanuel (Manny) Teitelbaum, ESIA, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs
- Margaret Ulfers, SPH, Teaching Associate Professor in Epidemiology
- Operation Working Group Members
Co-Chairs:
- Patrick Hall, Teaching Assistant Professor of Decision Sciences and Chief AI Officer in the School of Business
- Sue Bogan, GW IT Digital Transformation Specialist
Goals:
- Characterize the opportunities and risks of using AI as part of workflows and the complexities of moving in that direction, including cost and energy use
- Determine necessary support for staff
Operation Working Group Members
- Matthew (Matt) Andrews, Division of Safety and Operations, Director of Facilities, Buildings and Grounds
- Autumn Anthony, Office of the Provost, Assistant Director, OGPA
- Stephanie Baldwin, OGC, Associate General Counsel
- Denise Fowler, CCAS, Director of Career Development & Alumni Services
- Christopher (Chris) Goss, Finance - Financial Planning and Operations, Associate Vice President for Financial Management and Strategy - Schools
- Cristina Grigore, GW Privacy Office, Privacy Director
- Ian Jenney, Office of the Registrar, Assistant Registrar, Student Support Services
- Victoria Karker, Law, Program Associate, Faculty Support
- Caroline Kemp, DSA, Student Health Center Associate Director, Medical Services
- Ioannis Koutroulis, SMHS, Associate Dean of MD Admissions
- Keidra Lazard, HR, Human Resources Director
- Tawanna Lee, Law, Professorial Lecturer in Law
- Joseph Miranda, GWSB, Assistant Dean, Operations
- Albert Mojica, HR, Executive Director, HRIS Business Operations
- Jeff Pearson, Finance - Office of the University Controller, Director, Financial Systems & Solutions
- Ryan Salandy, SEAS, Web Lead
- Shomari White, UA, Associate Vice President, Advancement Operations & Strategies
- Tenisha (Ava) Williams, SEAS, Director of Inclusive Excellence
Final Report
This report represents the culmination of the months-long mapping exercise undertaken by the team. It provides an overview of the mapping process and findings from each of the working groups. Detailed summaries of the data from each domain are available upon request.
This document establishes a strong foundation for the next phase of this important initiative: planning concrete action to responsibly harness AI across the university.
