OAI Summer Conference Schedule
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
The Academic Innovation Summer Conference takes place June 4th–5th, 2025, at Cal Poly Pomona, College of Business Administration - Building 162, Room 1001. Sessions run daily from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, featuring keynotes, workshops, and collaborative discussions on AI in education and work.
Check-in and continental breakfast.
45-minute Icebreaker.
AI Isn't Magic
Session Speaker:
Dr. Annette Vee | Professor of English | University of Pittsburgh
Session Organizers:
Dr. Kristi Prins | English & Modern Languages | College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Dr. Winny Dong | Inaugural Senior Director, Innovation and Grants | Office of Academic Innovation
Session Summary:
Whether or not we use it, students and teachers are both working in the context of AI. How do large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT work, and how are undergraduates and instructors using them now? How might we use AI ethically--and collaboratively? This workshop will provide a brief introduction to LLMs and show how faculty and students have been using them in undergraduate courses.
15-minute break.
California State University System partnership with OpenAI: Providing Access to ChatGPT Edu for every Student, Faculty, and Staff
Session Speaker:
Dr. Leslie Kennedy | Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Technology | Office of the Chancellor, California State University
Session Organizer:
Dr. Olukemi Sawyerr | Associate Vice President | Office of Academic Innovation
Session Summary: More details coming soon!
Lunch provided by Kellogg West.
In the Classroom: Integrating AI into Teaching (the role of the faculty member)
Session Speaker:
Dr. Victoria Bhavsar | Director | Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFE)
Dr. Alberta Miranda | English & Modern Languages | College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Session Organizer:
Dr. Kristi Prins | English & Modern Languages | College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Session Summary: More details coming soon!
Outside the Classroom: AI on the Job: Smart Tools for Smarter Work
Session Speaker: Dr. Laura Massa | Associate Vice President | Academic Programs
Session Organizer:
Dr. Olukemi Sawyerr | Associate Vice President | Office of Academic Innovation
Session Summary: AI isn’t coming for your job—but it can help make your job easier. In this hands-on session, we’ll explore how generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot can support your daily work. Whether you manage communication, coordinate events, analyze data, or help offices run smoothly, AI can assist with brainstorming, drafting, organizing, and more. You’ll learn how to think through your tasks and ask AI the right questions—because your expertise is key to using these tools effectively. We’ll demo both campus-supported tools, practice real-world prompting, and leave time for Q&A and shared discoveries. No prior experience with AI required—just curiosity!
15-minute break.
In the Classroom: Incorporating AI into Assignments and Activities
Session Speakers:
Dr. Fatemah Jamshidi | Computer Science | College of Science
Dr. Esmeralda Vazquez | English & Modern Languages | College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Dr. Sandeep Krishnamurthy | Singelyn Family Dean | College of Business Administration & Singelyn Graduate School of Business
Session Organizer:
Dr. Hyunkyoung Yoon | Mathematics & Statistics | College of Science
Erick Zelaya | Senior Multimedia Developer | Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFE)
Session Details: This session will feature a dynamic panel discussion with faculty from diverse disciplines, exploring practical strategies for integrating generative AI into classroom assignments and activities. Panelists will share insights and experiences on designing AI-enhanced assignments that foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Participants will gain interdisciplinary perspectives and innovative approaches for leveraging AI tools to enhance student learning and engagement.
Outside the Classroom: Billy Chat - Keeping It Human: Lessons from Billy Chat and AI-Driven Student Success at Cal Poly Pomona
Session Speakers:
Zoe Lance | Communications Specialist | Office of Student Success
Cecilia Santiago-Gonzalez | Associate Vice President | Office of Student Success
Session Details: Since 2019, Cal Poly Pomona undergraduate students have had access to Billy Chat, an AI text-messaging robot powered by Mainstay. The Office of Student Success has used the bot to help thousands of students get answers to their ÁùÉ«Íø questions 24/7, while also reminding them about important to-dos and campus opportunities. We have learned so much about our students through Billy Chat, but we have also gained a deep understanding of just how important it is to center a human element in an AI tool. In this session, we’ll talk about what we’ve learned about student communication through Billy Chat, our bot strategy and important considerations around deploying AI tools on campus.
Wrap-up and collective reflection.
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Check-in and continental breakfast.
Digital Transformations in Education: Meeting the Needs of an AI-Enhanced Future
Session Speaker: Chesa Caparas | English and Ethnic Studies | De Anza College
Session Organizers:
Dr. Peter Ross | Philosophy | College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Dr. Alex Madva | Philosophy | College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Dr. Winny Dong | Inaugural Senior Director, Innovation and Grants | Office of Academic Innovation
Session Summary: There’s little doubt that generative AI tools have seriously disrupted teaching and learning. As industries rush to adopt these new tools, we’re also seeing a dramatic shift in the skills needed to succeed in the workforce, and educational institutions face increasing pressure to prepare students for this AI-enhanced economy. Unfortunately, uneven AI adoption means that not all institutions are equipped to navigate this rapidly changing landscape. This plenary talk will highlight ways that AI literacy curriculum can help overcome digital divides and increase opportunities for students seeking jobs in the emerging workforce. More importantly, the presenter will discuss how teaching AI ethics can provide a solid foundation for ensuring that AI research, development, and implementation remain human-centered.
15-minute break.
In the Classroom: AI's Impact on Interdisciplinary Writing and the Teaching of Writing
Session Speakers:
Dr. Karen Tellez-Chaires | English & Modern Languages | College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Dr. Kristi Prins | English & Modern Languages | College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Session Summary: As generative AI tools rapidly evolve, their influence on writing practices across disciplines presents both challenges and opportunities for educators. This presentation explores how AI is reshaping interdisciplinary writing and the pedagogy of writing instruction. It considers the implications of AI for rhetorical purpose, authorship, revision, and assessment, while also addressing ethical concerns and academic integrity. Drawing from case studies, classroom practices, and emerging scholarship, the session offers strategies for integrating AI responsibly into writing instruction across disciplines. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to navigate and leverage AI in support of critical thinking, creativity, and disciplinary communication.
Outside the Classroom: Students, the Future of Work, and AI
Session Speaker: Beth Lee | Lead Career Coach | Career Center
Session Organizer:
Ericka Olguin | Director | Innovation Initiatives
Priyatham Bazaru | Technical Lead | Innovation Initiatives
Session Summary:
- AI and Workforce Dynamics: Understanding how AI is changing the landscape of various industries and the types of jobs that will be in demand.
- Skill Development: Identifying the essential skills students need to thrive in an AI-driven economy, including technical competencies and soft skills.
- AI marketing Strategies: Discussing innovative approaches to integrate AI education into career readiness to better prepare students for future careers.
- Collaborative Learning: Highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and experiential learning in fostering a holistic understanding of AI.
In the Classroom: Utilizing AI in Research
Session Organizers:
Dr. Sandeep Krishnamurthy | Dean | College of Business Administration & Singelyn Graduate School of Business
Dr. Karen Tellez-Trujillo | English & Modern Languages | College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Session Summary: More details coming soon!
Outside the Classroom: Using AI Effectively (How can AI help me do my job more effectively)
Session Speakers:
Priyatham Bazaru | Technical Lead | Innovation Initiatives
Josue Ruiz | Web Designer | Office of Academic Innovation
1-hour lunch break.
Industry Panel: Bridging the Gap: Higher Education and Industry Partnerships in the Age of AI
Session Speakers:
CISCO systems | Global Leader in Networking, Cybersecurity, and Digital Infrastructure
Avanade | Global IT Consulting Firm Specializing in Microsoft Solutions & Digital Innovation
Session Moderators:
Dr. Anthony Orlando | Finance, Real Estate, and Law | College of Business Administration
Session Organizers:
Jeff Cox | Interim Executive Director of Institutional Strategy and Engagement | College of Business Administration
Alex Harwood | Associate Vice President | Advanced Computing | Division of Information Technology
Session Summary: In the era of rapid AI innovation, strategic collaboration between higher education and industry is not only beneficial; it is essential. This panel will examine how institutions and private-sector leaders are forming dynamic partnerships to ensure that academic programs evolve alongside industry advancements. Panelists will present case studies of successful university-industry collaborations, emphasize strategies for integrating real-world AI applications into curricula, and explore mechanisms for sustaining mutually beneficial engagement. Attendees will gain insights into how these partnerships can drive research innovation, enhance faculty development, and ensure that graduates are equipped with relevant, future-focused competencies.
15-minute break.
Student Panel: Student Perspectives on the AI-Driven Future of Education and Work from STEM to Social Science Fields
Session Panel:
David Vargas | Kellogg Honors College | Computer Science Major
Adam Webb | Student Innovation Idea Labs | Computer Science Major
Viren Kumar | Student Innovation Idea Labs | Computer Engineering Major
Session Organizers:
Dr. Olive Li | Faculty Director | Student Innovation Idea Labs
Dr. Claudia Garcia-Des Lauriers | Faculty Director | Kellogg Honors College
Session Summary: As AI continues to reshape education and the workplace, how do students perceive its impacts? This panel brings together student voices to discuss AI’s role in learning, career readiness, and ethical considerations. Please join us to hear firsthand experiences and insights from next generation workforce who are navigating and actually taking the lead of an AI-driven future.
Wrap-up, reflections and survey.
