What GenAI means for teaching and learning may have different answers across the disciplines. The AI Guide Network is a dual-pathway program that builds disciplinary knowledge — not just awareness — of how GenAI intersects with teaching and learning at UMass Amherst.
2026 - 2027 AI Guide Network Cohort
The following 8 faculty and librarians have been selected as Core AI Guides, representing five colleges across campus and the library.
Core AI Guides
- Emma Anderson, Senior Lecturer, Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences
- Joe Chiu, Senior Lecturer, Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences
- Jacob Dyer-Spiegel, Lecturer, College Writing Program, Riccio College of Engineering
- Julia Feldhaus, Senior Lecturer, College of Humanities & Fine Arts
- Jennifer Friedman, Education & CHC Librarian, University Libraries
- Eric Holmes, Senior Lecturer, Isenberg School of Management
- Hossein Pishro-Nik, Professor, Riccio College of Engineering
- Carolina Rossini, Professor of Practice, College of Social & Behavioral Science
Network Participants
- Carlos Valladares, Isenberg School of Management
- Sierra Trudel, College of Education
- Riccardo Pedrotti, College of Natural Sciences
- Forrest Bowlick, College of Natural Sciences
- Christian Rojas, College of Social & Behavioral Science
- Robert Maloy, College of Education
- Sophie Horowitz, College of Humanities & Fine Arts
- Anna Shkireva, College of Humanities & Fine Arts
- Julian Lustig-Gonzalez, University Without Walls
- Hongyu Zhang, College of Natural Sciences
- Matthew Ferrari, Commonwealth Honors College
- Nikko Bovornkeeratiroj, Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences
- Amy Springer, College of Natural Sciences
- Yining Feng, College of Natural Sciences
- Brian Strauss, College of Natural Sciences
- Lisa Duffy, Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
- Alexander Stepanov, College of Natural Sciences
- Lea Bouhakkou, Isenberg School of Management
- Nick Tooker, Riccio College of Engineering
- Toussaint Losier, College of Humanities & Fine Arts
- Siobhan Mei, Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences
- Frederic Schaffer, College of Social & Behavioral Science
Two Ways to Participate
Core AI Guides go deep within their own disciplines, developing their knowledge and skills during Fall 2026 to take on a leadership role in their departments and Colleges/Schools, and help lead the Network’s programming in Spring 2027.
Network Participants build expertise alongside the Core Guides, attending regular gatherings, working with materials developed by the Guides, and contributing to the shared Canvas space. Both pathways are open to faculty, staff with teaching responsibilities, and librarians.
The difference between the two pathways is one of depth and responsibilities. Guides commit to a year of disciplinary leadership and receive professional development funds in recognition of it. Participants commit to showing up regularly, trying things in their own courses, and contributing to a shared body of work to be built in Canvas. Both meet during Network gatherings.
| Core AI Guides | Network Participants | |
| Cohort size | Six to eight | Up to twenty |
| Who it’s for | Faculty, staff with teaching responsibilities, and librarians with prior experience in GenAI and teaching, ready to go deep in their own discipline and lead within their unit | Faculty, staff with teaching responsibilities, and librarians who want to build expertise together over a full year. No prior experience required. |
| Selection | Competitive application, with brief conversations if needed | Open sign-up, first come, until the twenty places are filled |
| Core commitment | Everything Participants do, plus: develop a disciplinary pedagogical question and explore it throughout the year; convene at least one conversation each semester in your department or College/School and report participation; co-facilitate a Network session in Spring 2027; help shape the January Institute and spring programming; help design and build the Canvas site by contributing your own course policies, redesigned assignments, approaches to student engagement with GenAI, and resources; present at the May Convening | Attend the gatherings and work with the materials between them; try new strategies, approaches, and course design ideas in your own teaching; bring something from your own courses to share at least once during the year; report back to the group; give and receive feedback; contribute to the Canvas space at least monthly (questions, ideas, thoughts, assignments, AI policies, etc.). |
| Attendance expected | All Guides-only working sessions and all Network gatherings, including the January Institute and the May Convening | The November kickoff, plus at least three of the four Spring semester sessions: the monthly 90-minute seminars in February, March, and April 2027, and the May Convening. The January institute is optional and encouraged but cannot make up for regular Spring semester attendance. |
| Leadership role | Yes — Guides help lead Network programming in Spring 2027 and represent this work in their units | No leadership obligation, though participants are warmly invited to attend the January Institute and to co-present at the May Convening |
| Estimated time | Approximately 70 hours/academic year | Approximately 20–25 hours/academic year |
| Recognition | $2,000 in professional development funds | Certificate of Participation from CTL |
| How to join | Apply by Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | Apply by Friday, October 23, 2026 |
| Starts | Guides kickoff, Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | Network kickoff, Thursday, Nov 5 from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm |
Learn More about Each Pathway
Click on + to expand
Eligibility
Both pathways are open to tenured, tenure-track, and non-tenure-track faculty, staff whose work involves teaching and learning, and librarians.
Core AI Guides are expected to have prior experience addressing GenAI in teaching and learning so that the cohort can build on existing expertise. Prior experience can take many forms: redesigning assignments or assessments in response to GenAI, developing course or program policies, participating in the GenAI Discussion Group or external programming, leading conversations in your department, or contributing to campus conversations about GenAI in education. We are seeking Guides who have already begun reflecting deeply on the impacts of GenAI on teaching and learning in their discipline, and who are ready to lead conversations with their peers.
Network Participants need no prior experience and take on no obligation to lead. This pathway is for colleagues who want to work through what GenAI means for teaching in their own field, alongside others asking similar questions.
Enthusiasts and skeptics are equally welcome in both pathways. The Network will benefit from colleagues who believe GenAI poses serious problems for education in their fields. What we ask for is a willingness to engage with questions rigorously, and to work alongside colleagues who see the risks and possibilities in different ways.
Program Schedule 2026–2027
- Core AI Guides applications due: Wednesday, September 2, 2026
- Applicant conversations, if needed: week of September 8–11, 2026
- Guides notified: Monday, September 14, 2026
- Core AI Guides kickoff: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
- Open information session (all welcome): Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Guides working session: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- Network application closes: Friday, October 23, 2026
- AI Guide Network kickoff (Guides and Participants): Thursday, Nov 5 from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Guides working session: Wednesday, December 2, 2026
- January Institute (9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.): January 2027, date to follow
- Monthly Network seminars (90 minutes): February, March, and April 2027
- May Convening: May 2027
Broader Program Reach and Impact
The impact of the AI Guide Network extends well beyond the Guides and Participants themselves. Each Guide convenes at least one conversation per semester in their own department or College/School. A cohort of six to eight therefore produces twelve to sixteen convened conversations across the year. If these conversations draw 15 to 20 colleagues each, the Network reaches an estimated 200 to 400 people.
Questions?
Director of Programming for Diversity, Inclusion, & Equity, and Senior Lecturer
Email: @email