2026-2027 Faculty AI Guides

The 2026-2027 cohort consists of 23 Faculty AI Guides. They include both new and returning Guides, and represent a broad cross-section of departments and disciplines across the University.

• Fred Cheng, Environmental Sciences
• Mai Dahshan, Data Science
• Emily Dotson, The Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence, UVA Wise
• Yuxiang Du, McIntire School of Commerce
• Liza Flood, Engagements
• Nieves Garcia Prados, Spanish, Italian & Portuguese
• Piers Gelly, English
• Matt Hedstrom, Religious Studies
• Natasha Heny, Curriculum, Instruction & Special Education
• Chuck Howard, Darden School of Business
• Ethan King, English
• Katie MacDonald, Architecture
• Earl Mark, Architecture
• Dan Radthorne, Law
• Pallavi Rao, Media Studies
• Bryn Seabrook, Engineering & Society
• Spyros Simotas, French
• Donnie Sorah, Visual & Performing Arts, UVA Wise
• Damon Swift, Kinesiology
• Ashish Venkat, Computer Science
• Marie Wallace, Interdisciplinary Studies
• Kristen Wells, Public Health Sciences
• Sara Young, Spanish, Italian & Portuguese

For the 2026-27 academic year, Guides are exploring the theme Advancing Student Learning in the Age of AI. Together, they are contributing to the University’s understanding of and response to GenAI in relation to four key questions:

• How should academic programs respond to AI not just at the course level, but also at the curricular level?
• What challenges and opportunities do frontier AI models and tools offer to teaching in higher education?
• When and how should instructors engage students in analog, low-tech, or AI-free learning experiences?
• How might instructors design AI-aware assignments and activities to minimize cognitive offloading and maximize learning?