Wisconsin’s nonprofit independent colleges and universities are rising to the challenge of AI in education and operations. WAICU’s support for our member institutions in AI took shape in 2025 and will continue into this coming year. 

Recognizing AI’s transformative potential, WAICU made supporting member institutions’ AI-readiness a strategic priority in the 2025-2026 year. The goal: to help member colleges and universities navigate the complex landscape of AI policies, products, and training opportunities across both academic and operational dimensions of campus life.  

• National Partnership with Local Support

As a significant first step, WAICU partnered with the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) to advance the AI-Ready Network, a twelve-month national program designed to build institutional capacity for AI integration. Nine WAICU member institutions joined several hundred colleges and universities nationwide in this program. 

To maximize value for WAICU institutions, WAICU hosted monthly supplemental conversations, creating space for smaller-group idea exchange among participating institutions. These sessions featured special guests, showcased campus AI solutions, and facilitated discussions where participants shared their AI-readiness journeys and adoption strategies. To date, more than 100 WAICU member faculty and staff have participated in these sessions. 

• Building a Shared Knowledge Base 

Understanding that knowledge sharing extends beyond scheduled programming, WAICU created a centralized AI Resources repository, a collaboratively maintained digital library where faculty, staff, and administrators from all member institutions can access and contribute resources. This repository houses policy templates, AI-readiness frameworks, toolkits, sample modules, case studies, and best practices focused on responsible, ethical, and transparent AI use in higher education.   

• Professional Development Fund 

WAICU also invested directly in professional development, allocating $5,000 from a CIC grant to provide ten $500 reimbursements for AI-focused training. These funds were awarded to fifteen individuals at ten institutions to offset costs for professional development on AI-related topics. Recipients will share their learning at a virtual showcase this October, multiplying the investment’s impact across the network. 

Looking Ahead 

While WAICU has provided this infrastructure of support, member colleges and universities have been actively exploring AI’s role and implementing AI across curriculum development, student services, administrative processes, and research initiatives—each campus finding applications that align with their unique missions and student populations. 

WAICU will continue to act as a source of strategic collaboration, resource sharing, and innovation showcasing in the 2026-2027 year. We encourage all members to consider enrolling in the next iteration of CIC’s AI Ready programming, now offering unique tracks for campus essentials, campus leaders, and advanced AI adopters.  

Contact Jennifer deHart, WAICU’s chief operating officer at jennifer.dehart@waicu.org