5 MINUTES WITH THE PRESIDENT
Changes for the Better A brief conversation on recent events with MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee Artificial intelligence (AI) has vastly enhanced student access to data and information. While there is some wariness and skepticism, AI will hopefully— ultimately—be used ethically to change how fast we as a society can learn and grow as scholars. What is your perspective on AI in a university setting and its potential to achieve good when carefully administrated?
I recently announced a new professional development initiative on artificial intelligence. An interdisciplinary team of faculty and staff has been assembled to lead workshops and discussions exploring the impact of new AI-based tools on teaching, research, and campus operations. Technology is reshaping the way we learn, communicate, and interact. MTSU must embrace this transformation by integrating cutting-edge tools and methodologies into its teaching practices. We must not just adopt technology for the sake of it, but leverage it to enhance the learning experience,
cultivate critical thinking, and equip students with digital literacy skills essential for their future careers. By engaging with these issues now, we position our institution to harness the power of AI responsibly and effectively. Such forward thinking is part of your overall educational vision for the future at MTSU. What steps are you taking now to enable the University to reach its highest academic potential?
Last year, I approved an integrated strategic planning process that will encompass efforts that were previously spread across three existing plans— the Academic Master Plan, the Quest for Student Success, and the Strategic Plan. The 2025–2035 Strategic Plan will be organized around four pillars: academic quality, student success, engagement, and innovation. Strategies for each of these pillars will be developed by
AI technology, strategic plan, new core curriculum, and building renaming focus on MTSU’s future.
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