Name: AI-Supported Development for Emerging Higher Education Leaders
Start: 2026-05-14T13:30:00-0500
End: 2026-05-14T14:15:00-0500

AI-Supported Development for Emerging Higher Education Leaders

Thursday May 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm CDT

Wildcat Room

As part of Northwestern’s Higher Education Administration and Policy Program, master’s level graduate students in a leadership development course have used AI to reflect on leadership networking experiences to help develop their leadership approaches. This lightning talk highlights an in-class assignment that integrates human-based and AI‑supported analysis and synthesis to deepen students’ understanding of leadership theory and professional competencies.
Students conducted semi‑structured interviews grounded in a selected leadership theory, individually generated 15 talking points, and collaboratively synthesized 60 combined points in groups of four. Students then used Northwestern’s Copilot to produce an AI‑generated analysis and synthesis and compared it to what they independently produced. The activity intentionally strengthened two NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) competencies: technology, by requiring students to use AI for analysis, synthesis, prompt design, and pattern recognition; and professionalism, by emphasizing ethical decision‑making, responsible technology use, and reflective comparison of human and AI reasoning.
Survey data from the activity explores how students use AI, how AI influenced learning in the classroom, and students’ evolving views on AI use.
Participants who are curious about human-centered, AI-assisted learning for students and colleagues would benefit from this example of intentional, practical learning that orders individual, group, and AI-assisted theme analysis.

Speakers

Chris Neary

Instructional Design and Technology Consultant, Northwestern University

Chris Neary is an instructional design and technology consultant for the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. For the past 7.5 years he has developed course design and education technology solutions—suited for in-person, blended, and hybrid synchronous... Read More →