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How AI Transforms College Administration, One Task at a Time

  • published: 2025/03/24
  • contact: UNO Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives (ILCI)
  • email: innovate@unomaha.edu
A promotional graphic for the AI Learning Lab featuring the title 'How AI Transforms College Administration, One Task at a Time.' The background shows a college building with white columns and red brick, framed by green trees. A circular photo of Joe Price, Ph.D.—a bald man wearing glasses, a suit, and a striped tie—is placed on the left side. The AI Learning Lab logo is centered at the top of the image.

Essential yet tedious, the day-to-day tasks that keep business operations thriving and growing can consume the bulk of a workday.

Joseph Price, Ph.D. tackled this reality with his custom GPT as part of the first round of the OpenAI Challenge. As the assistant dean of administration in the College of Arts and Sciences, Joe saw an opportunity to increase efficiency amid the hustle of a busy and complex college.

Recognizing these inefficiencies, Joe proposed a solution: a custom GPT to streamline three key areas within the Dean’s Office—advising, communications, and operations. Custom GPTs helped:

  • generate both standard and individualized communication for potential and current students;
  • write and edit content, promote events, and communicate with distinct audiences inside and outside of UNO,
  • and create standardized and individualized letters, meeting agendas, policy drafts, and more.

For example, Joe used AI to coordinate the complicated logistics of bringing hundreds of high school students from 15 area high schools to UNO for the annual Chuck Hagel Symposium. The custom GPT created a transportation schedule and other materials in minutes – tasks that would’ve taken him hours manually – allowing the office to focus on different aspects of the event.

“AI has helped in obvious ways (like the examples above),” Joe said. “However, AI has also helped in surprising ways, such as brainstorming or developing lists of pros and cons of proposals, crafting of policy, etc.”

The Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives served as a key resource for the implementation of this custom GPT, particularly the AI Learning Lab and the wide range of learning resources they offer.

Curious about how AI could transform your workflow? Explore the latest from the AI Learning Lab or join the next OpenAI Challenge!

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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