Division Newsroom | Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives

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Division NewsroomThe landing space for all news, newsletters, and blogs for the Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives.

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17461172Illustration with the headline "Supporting Faculty with AI Tools" in bold black and red text. Below the text is a graphic of a red human head silhouette with a hand placing a glowing lightbulb inside it. Surrounding the image are abstract icons including a gear, cube, trophy, and directional arrows, symbolizing innovation, achievement, and learning.///

Artificial intelligence isn’t just transforming student learning; it’s also empowering faculty to improve their teaching and research practices. At the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), several projects focus on equipping faculty with AI tools to streamline their workflows and enhance their impact. Here are two initiatives that highlight how AI is supporting faculty success.

AI-Enhanced Course Preparation for Graduate Teaching

Project Lead: Sam Clinkinbeard

Sam Clinkinbeard is using AI to streamline course preparation for graduate-level classes in criminology and criminal justice. By generating lecture notes, reading summaries, and discussion prompts, the project reduces preparation time while enhancing the quality of course materials. The project also includes integrating AI voice cloning through Eleven Labs to create voiceovers in less time for short informative videos on class concepts. These AI-generated resources are designed to be reusable, ensuring future instructors can seamlessly adopt and adapt them.

Custom GPT for Public Administration Instruction

Project Lead: Jonathan Wong

Jonathan Wong’s project helps instructors in public administration courses understand and critique AI-generated content. By testing ChatGPT’s outputs on public administration theories and comparing them to course materials, faculty can identify inaccuracies and refine their teaching strategies. This initiative promotes critical engagement with AI while ensuring accurate and effective instruction. Furthermore, this also allowed instructors to understand students’ use of AI in learning some complex public administration topics.

Empowering Faculty with AI

These projects demonstrate how AI can support course preparation, and classroom instruction. By reducing administrative burdens and enhancing teaching practices, AI enables faculty to focus on what they do best: inspiring and educating students.

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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Supporting Faculty with AI Tools

Supporting Faculty with AI ToolsUNO Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives (ILCI)UNO faculty are using AI to streamline prep, enhance teaching, and support student learning.

May 28, 2025 12:00 AM

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34912344Illustration of a student at a laptop pointing to a red light bulb, with bold text reading “Elevating Student Learning Experiences with AI.”///

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how students learn, offering personalized and interactive tools to engage with course material in meaningful ways. At the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), educators are integrating AI into their courses to help students build critical skills and deepen their understanding of complex topics. Below, we highlight three projects focused on enhancing student learning experiences with AI.

UNO CAPS Chatbot for Mental Health Navigation

Project Lead: Emilio Herrera

UNO’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is introducing a navigational chatbot designed to help students find information quickly and easily. This chatbot provides users with accessible answers about mental health services, helping to increase awareness and utilization of campus resources. By keeping a chat log for follow-up purposes, the chatbot ensures students receive timely support and enhances CAPS’ ability to address student needs efficiently.

AI-Enhanced Pedagogy in Doctoral Teaching Preparation

Project Lead: Jooho Lee

Doctoral students in the School of Public Administration are preparing for their future roles as educators through an AI-integrated teaching workshop. This initiative trains participants to use AI tools for course design, lecture preparation, and engaging students. By covering AI ethics, culturally responsive pedagogy, and teaching strategies, the workshop equips future educators to integrate AI responsibly and effectively into their classrooms.

Spanish Conversation Practice with Custom GPTs

Project Leads: Tara Toscano and Claudia Garcia

Tara Toscano’s Spanish 2120 students use custom GPTs to practice conversations. These AI tools simulate real-life interactions, helping students develop their conversational skills in Spanish. After each session, students review transcripts of their conversations, allowing them to reflect on their performance and improve. By offering flexible, less-structured language practice, this project provides an innovative way for students to enhance their fluency and confidence.

AI as a Learning Partner

From navigating mental health services to preparing future educators and advancing language skills, AI is playing a key role in transforming learning experiences at UNO. These projects exemplify how technology can empower students and educators alike.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

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Elevating Student Learning Experiences with AI

UNO uses AI to enhance student learning—from mental health support to teaching prep and language practice.

UNO uses AI to enhance student learning—from mental health support to teaching prep and language practice.UNO Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives (ILCI)UNO uses AI to enhance student learning—from mental health support to teaching prep and language practice.

Apr 7, 2025 8:00 AM

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25001665A 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

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How AI Transforms College Administration, One Task at a Time

Discover how a custom GPT streamlined advising, events, and operations at UNO, saving time and boosting efficiency.

Discover how a custom GPT streamlined advising, events, and operations at UNO, saving time and boosting efficiency.UNO Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives (ILCI)Discover how a custom GPT streamlined advising, events, and operations at UNO, saving time and boosting efficiency.

Mar 24, 2025 8:00 AM

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17461172Illustration of a person analyzing data on a computer with magnifying glass, globe icon, and charts, accompanied by the title "Leveraging AI for Data Analysis and Insights".///

Analyzing large datasets quickly and accurately is critical for advancing research and making data-driven decisions. At the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), several projects use artificial intelligence to improve data analysis and extract valuable insights. Here are three initiatives that demonstrate how AI is enhancing analytical capabilities across campus.

AI in Criminology and Criminal Justice Statistics

Project Lead: Ling Ren

In the graduate course CRCJ 8950, Ling Ren is incorporating ChatGPT to help students navigate complex statistical concepts and analyses. Students use AI to visualize data, interpret statistical outputs, and connect findings to real-world criminal justice issues. By critiquing AI-generated interpretations and addressing its limitations, students develop a deeper understanding of statistics and the ethical use of AI in research.

Enhanced Engagement with Archival Sources

Project Lead: Danielle Battisti

Danielle Battisti is applying AI to analyze over 100,000 pages of primary documents related to historical immigration and international migration. By summarizing data and conducting statistical analyses, the AI tool helps uncover patterns and insights that would be difficult to identify manually. The project aims to produce scholarly articles, public-facing resources, and an interactive GIS map showcasing migration trends, enriching academic research and public understanding.

AI for Budget Analysis

Project Lead: Tammy Goldsberry

To improve financial decision-making, Tammy Goldsberry is using AI to analyze UNO’s budget data. The project involves advanced staffing ratio calculations, budget allocation reviews, and comparisons of actual versus projected spending. By generating models and visualizing trends, AI tools help identify opportunities for optimization, guiding the development of a new budget model for Academic Affairs units.

Unlocking the Potential of AI in Data Analysis

From criminal justice and historical research to university budgeting, AI transforms how we analyze and interpret data. These projects highlight the versatility of AI in uncovering actionable insights, improving accuracy, and enhancing efficiency across diverse fields.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

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Leveraging AI for Data Analysis and Insights

Leveraging AI for Data Analysis and InsightsUNO Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives (ILCI)UNO uses AI to enhance data analysis in criminology, history, and budgeting—unlocking insights, improving accuracy, and driving smarter decisions.

Apr 21, 2025 12:00 AM

AI Learning Lab

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16921136Illustration of a hand holding a puzzle piece in red, black, and white, surrounded by AI-related icons, with bold text reading 'Driving Operational Efficiency with AI.///

In higher education, efficiency in administrative tasks and operations can profoundly impact both faculty and student success. At the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), innovative projects harness AI’s power to streamline workflows and enhance operational processes. Here are three initiatives that illustrate how AI is helping UNO improve productivity and communication.

Enhancing Efficiency in Sponsored Programs

Project Lead: Trudy Nienaber

Managing sponsored programs often involves repetitive tasks like data entry, document review, and report creation. Trudy Nienaber’s project integrates AI into the Office of Sponsored Programs to automate these processes, reducing manual effort and minimizing errors. AI will also improve reporting accuracy by analyzing large datasets and generating precise, insightful reports. This initiative aims to enhance decision-making, standardize workflows, and improve compliance, ensuring that sponsored programs operate efficiently and effectively.

AI for Faculty Senate Knowledge Management

Project Lead: Patty Bick

The Faculty Senate faces challenges with institutional memory due to regular turnover. Patty Bick’s project uses AI to analyze past resolutions and meeting minutes, creating a centralized knowledge base that faculty can query. This AI-powered solution allows senators to efficiently access historical information and avoid redundant efforts, enabling the Faculty Senate to make informed decisions and build on past initiatives.

Streamlining Housing Operations with AI

Project Lead: Marshall Kole

Efficiently managing housing data is critical for student satisfaction and operational success. Marshall Kole’s project leverages AI to evaluate trends in occupancy, improve housing marketing strategies, and identify process efficiencies. By analyzing residential data and automating routine tasks, this initiative enhances both the decision-making process and communication with students, ensuring a more seamless housing experience at UNO.

Transforming Operations with AI

These projects demonstrate how AI can optimize administrative and operational processes, saving time and resources while improving outcomes. By embracing AI-driven solutions, UNO is enhancing efficiency across campus, empowering staff and faculty to focus on their core mission of supporting students and advancing education. More exciting AI initiatives will be featured in our upcoming blogs!

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

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Driving Operational Efficiency with AI

UNO leverages AI to enhance efficiency in research, faculty governance, and housing—streamlining operations and improving decision-making across campus.

UNO leverages AI to enhance efficiency in research, faculty governance, and housing—streamlining operations and improving decision-making across campus.UNO Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives (ILCI)UNO leverages AI to enhance efficiency in research, faculty governance, and housing—streamlining operations and improving decision-making across campus

Mar 18, 2025 8:00 AM

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Bringing clarity, offering support, and increasing comprehension.

That’s what Cecilia Tocaimaza-Hatch, associate professor and department chair, did for her Structure of Spanish students in the first round of the Open AI Challenge.

Cecilia submitted a proposal for a custom GPT that would help students better comprehend Spanish readings by using plain language. She was motivated to implement artificial intelligence in her course curriculum at some level, saying, “I feel it is my responsibility to help students learn how to use this new technology to prepare them for future employment.”

This custom GPT needed to be able to support students in upper-level courses, so it was built to:

Provide plain-language explanations of difficult linguistic concepts (i.e. word categorizations and functions in the deep analysis of sentences)
Guide students through questions so it prompts them to engage the content deeper, fostering overall comprehension
Be an additional source of support for students, one that is available to them 24/7

Motivated to keep learning in her own practice, Cecilia felt excited at the opportunity to implement new technology in her classroom. “I’ve enjoyed learning from Digital Learning to do lots of things… and this was the next thing to learn in order to keep growing,” she said. Implementing this custom GPT felt less intimidating due to the partnership with the AI Learning Lab team.

“Cassie Mallette [Program Manager for the AI Learning Lab] is available to help out and meet people wherever they are,” Cecilia said. “She is very generous with her time and her expertise.” The Division of Innovative Learning Centric-Initiatives offers workshops and one-on-one consultations for those interested in how they can integrate artificial intelligence into their work.

Click here to see what’s new from the AI Learning Lab, or discover how you can participate in the next round of the OpenAI Challenge.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

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Integrating AI in Higher Ed: Enhancing Spanish Linguistics with Custom GPTsUNO Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives (ILCI)UNO’s Cecilia Tocaimaza-Hatch integrates AI in Spanish linguistics, using a custom GPT to enhance comprehension and support student learning.

Feb 24, 2025 8:33 AM

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50753409Illustration of online learning with AI-driven support tools. A student interacts with a virtual instructor on a screen, while two graduates engage in a chat. Icons of a globe, clock, and digital tools symbolize global, AI-enhanced education.///

AI is revolutionizing how universities support students on their academic journeys. By integrating generative AI into advising, learning resources, and classroom tools, the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) is leading the charge in leveraging technology to foster student success. Here, we highlight three innovative projects that enhance the student experience with personalized and efficient AI applications.

Custom GPT for Counting Seat Availability

Project Lead: Huai-Mei Furman

Advisors often face time-consuming challenges when manually checking seat availability for high-demand general education courses. To address this, Huai-Mei Furman is creating custom GPTs that will streamline the process, saving hundreds of hours during peak advising seasons. These GPTs will allow advisors to quickly and accurately check seat availability, ensuring students enroll in the courses they need without unnecessary delays. By improving operational efficiency, this tool promises to enhance the overall advising experience and simplify course selection for students.

Enhanced Learner Autonomy with Custom GPT for MLTI 3000

Project Lead: April Paschall

In the Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies program, fostering learner autonomy is key. April Paschall’s project involves developing a custom GPT chatbot tailored to the MLTI 3000 Multidisciplinary Foundations Seminar. Designed as a “three before me” resource, the chatbot empowers students to independently navigate course materials, clarify assignment requirements, and access syllabus details. By providing just-in-time information and streamlining access to essential course content, the chatbot reduces cognitive load for adult learners who are often balancing academic with work, family, and other responsibilities. This support structure not only enhances learner confidence and self-efficacy but also promotes self-directed learning and improves the overall academic experience by making learning more accessible and manageable.

Grace Abbott School of Social Work Chatbot

Project Lead: Katie Robbins

Social work students often have multiple points of contact for admissions, advising, and practicum support, which can lead to confusion and inefficiencies. Katie Robbins’ initiative introduces a chatbot to the Grace Abbott School of Social Work website. This AI-powered assistant provides timely, accurate answers to common student questions, such as how to submit practicum learning contracts or locate resources. By streamlining communication and reducing misdirected inquiries, the chatbot increases efficiency for faculty and staff while improving the support experience for social work students.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

/news/2025/02/empowering-student-success-with-ai-driven-support-tools

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Empowering Student Success with AI-Driven Support Tools

Empowering Student Success with AI-Driven Support ToolsUNO leverages AI to enhance student support, streamline advising, and improve learning, ensuring future-ready students for academic and career success.

Feb 25, 2025 8:00 AM

Center for Competencies, Skills, and Workforce Development