Task Force on Artificial Intelligence
Northern Illinois University established the Task Force on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to investigate the challenges and opportunities related to AI usage across Academic Affairs.
The Task Force on Artificial Intelligence coordinated development of policies and practices while ensuring alignment with the university's mission and values. Members gathered information, analyzed current AI practices and developed recommendations for responsible AI integration in academic contexts.
This task force provided regular updates and submitted an annual report to university leadership after the Spring 2025 semester, highlighting progress, challenges, recommendations and proposed goals for the following year.
Please review the summary report of working group findings (DOCX). Also, please review the NIU AI Literacies Framework.
Goals
During the 2024-2025 academic year, the task force focused on achieving the following:
- Review the initial recommendations of the AI Action Team from Spring 2024 that identified areas of strength, potential risks and opportunities for growth.
- Develop a set of ethical guidelines and best practices for AI implementation that align with NIU's mission and values, ensuring responsible and equitable use of AI technologies.
- Create a framework for evaluating and prioritizing AI initiatives, focusing on those that offer the greatest potential for improving student outcomes, expanding research capabilities and achieving academic efficiencies.
- Design and implement a pilot program for AI-enhanced academic support services, such as personalized learning assistance or automated administrative processes, to demonstrate practical applications and benefits.
- Establish a university-wide AI literacy program to educate faculty, staff and students on the fundamentals of AI, its potential impacts and ethical considerations.
- Collaborate with the Baccalaureate Council, General Education Committee and department curricular committees to establish AI literacy outcomes.
Members
Advisory Committee
- Laurie Elish-Piper, executive vice president and provost
- Bob Brinkmann, dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Dave Grewell, dean, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
- Joan Phillips-Hernandez, dean, College of Business
- Richard Mocarski, vice president for Research and Innovation Partnerships
- Sol Jensen, vice president for Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications
- Jason Rhode, associate vice provost for Teaching, Learning and Digital Education
Working Group 1 - Ethical Guidelines and Evaluation
- Sarah Garner (co-chair), ethics and compliance officer, Title IX coordinator and records officer
- Andrea Guzman (co-chair), associate professor, Department of Communications
- Bob Barton, director of information security, Division of Information Technology
- Reva Freedman, associate professor, Department of Computer Science
- David Gunkel, professor and chair, Department of Communication
- Celeste Latham, associate vice president for Facilities and Resources
- Sherril Morris, associate dean for Academic Affairs, College of Health and Human Sciences
- Cody Schmitz, director of Registration and Records
Working Group 2 - Academic Support Services
- Matt Mattox (co-chair), director, Huskie Academic Success Center
- Kimberly Shotick (co-chair), assistant professor, University Libraries
- Amanda Hirsch, assistant director of Teaching Excellence and Support, Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning
- Andy Jeon, assistant professor, Department of Marketing
- Brandon Lagana, director of Planning and Assessment/student
success platform (Navigate)
- Eric Hoffman, Networked Writing and Research coordinator, Department of English
- Reza Rajabi, assistant professor, Department of Marketing
- Zac Schoenrock, coordinator, Math Assistance Center
Working Group 3 - Teaching and Learning
- Andrea Radasanu (co-chair), assistant vice provost for Student Enhancement
- Stephanie Richter (co-chair), director of Teaching Excellence and Support, Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning
- Ann Dzuranin, professor, Department of Accountancy
- Alicia Schatteman, vice provost for Academic Affairs
- Cindy York, associate professor, Department of Learning Innovation, Leadership and Technology
- Brian Bender, instructor, Operations Management and Information Systems
- Jim Slagstad, graduate student and Operating Staff Council
- Melissa Fickling, associate professor, Counseling, Adult and Higher Education
- Carrie Zack, associate director, Accreditation, Assessment and Evaluation
Graduate Student Experience
The Graduate Student Experience report (DOCX) represents the culmination of work that began at the academic department level and resulted in several recommendations that span departments and colleges. The report contains a timeline for implementation.
Writing Infused Task Force
Nearly 240 courses are designated as writing infused at NIU. Per graduation requirements in the undergraduate academic catalog since 2016, students entering NIU with 30 or fewer credit hours, excluding credits awarded through NIU’s Credit by Examination Program, must earn credit in two upper-division courses that are designated as writing infused. These courses may be taken within the general education program, the major program or through electives.
To qualify as writing infused, a course must:
- Be a 300-level or 400-level course
- Cap enrollment at 35 students
- Include writing making up at least 25 percent of the grade
- Set an overall 3,000-word semester minimum per student
- Include discussion of writing style and structure
- Provide students with ongoing feedback on their writing
This is a 10-year review to evaluate the writing infused graduation requirement.
Timeline
- October-November 2026: Data review, benchmarking and stakeholder input
- December 2026: Submission of a report to Baccalaureate Council, Faculty Senate and academic leadership
Provide your input by Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 via this online survey. Contact Alicia Schatteman at aschatteman@niu.edu with questions.
Members
- Alicia Schatteman, vice provost for Academic Affairs (chair)
- Ryan Shepherd, associate professor and director of First Year Composition Program, Department of English
- Benjamin Creed, associate professor, Department of Learning, Innovation, Leadership and Technology and president of Faculty Senate
- Kimberly Shotick, associate professor, student success librarian
- Eric Hoffman, coordinator, Networked Writing and Research, Department of English
- Robert Ridinger, professor, University Libraries and member of Baccalaureate Council
- Mohammad Saadeh, associate professor and acting associate dean, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
- Helen Nagata, associate professor, School of Art and Design and member of General Education Committee
- Sana Polizzi, undergraduate student, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and 2026-27 Newman Civic Fellow