An Interdisciplinary AI Symposium
Perspectives and Possibilities for the Future of Education
Date: March 28, 9am – 1pm
Location: Jackson State University, CSET building 1ST Floor Auditorium
*Online attendance optional
Speakers
Dr. LaMarcus Norman
Dr. LaMarcus Norman
Dr. LaMarcus Norman is a distinguished educational leader dedicated to advancing academic excellence and innovation in Mississippi’s school systems. He holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from Delta State University, along with degrees from the University of Mississippi, Mississippi College, and Jackson State University. In 2019, he was recognized as the Mississippi Educational Computing Association (MECA) Administrator of the Year for his contributions to educational technology.
Dr. James Robinson
Dr. James Robinson
Dr. James Robinson, an experienced higher education leader with 14 years of experience, including eight in administration, serves as Chair and Graduate Program Coordinator for Jackson State University’s Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation. His research focuses on student success, faculty development, and curriculum innovation. As a 2025 Mississippi AI Collaborative Educator Fellow, he is spearheading efforts to expand AI education for HBCU professionals and K-12 teachers across Mississippi, integrating AI-driven pedagogy, curriculum development, and administrative efficiency.
Dr. Alisa Mosley
Dr. Alisa Mosley
Dr. Alisa L. Mosley is Senior Director for AI Initiatives at Jackson State University (JSU) and a Professor of Business Administration. A former provost, she holds a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has secured major grants, including $4 million for supply chain management. She leads AI adoption efforts in higher education, mentors doctoral students, and serves on national committees, including the APLU Council of Academic Affairs.
Dr. Stella Smith
Dr. Stella Smith
Dr. Stella L. Smith is an Assistant Professor and Co-Program Coordinator of the Ph.D. program in Educational Leadership at Prairie View A&M University. She earned her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin and researches AI’s impact on faculty adoption, student learning, and leadership development. Her work explores organizational change, qualitative research methods, and educational policy. Dr. Smith actively contributes to AI-focused studies in higher education and advocates for inclusive leadership pathways.
Dr. Brittany Myburgh
Dr. Brittany Myburgh
Dr. Brittany Myburgh is an Assistant Professor of Art History at JSU, specializing in the intersections of AI, technology, and visual culture. Her research explores new media, digital humanities, and the impact of generative AI in the arts. She has published in journals such as Mississippi Quarterly and Spontaneous Generations. Dr. Myburgh co-founded The Vine, an undergraduate journal fostering interdisciplinary creativity. She holds a Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Toronto.
Dr. Nizar Alsharari
Dr. Nizar Alsharari
Dr. Nizar Alsharari is a Professor of Accounting at JSU, focusing on AI’s role in finance, accounting, and workforce development. His research examines AI integration in business education and professional training. Dr. Alsharari has published extensively on financial analytics and the future of AI in accounting practices. His work contributes to preparing students for AI-driven industries, equipping them with essential data-driven decision-making skills for the evolving business landscape.
Dr. Olga Shugurova
Dr. Olga Shugurova
Dr. Olga Shugurova is Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, specializing in educational sustainability and arts-based methodologies. She earned her Ph.D. from the Schulich School of Education at Nipissing University in 2017. Since 2015, Dr. Shugurova has taught as a sessional and distance course instructor in the Faculty of Arts and Education at the University of Manitoba, where she has developed a keen interest in dialogic pedagogy and interdisciplinary learning environments.
David Collins
David Collins
David Collins is Chair of the Mississippi AI Collaborative and a management consultant at Innovate Mississippi. He is a trusted advisor on emerging technologies, and for the AI Agency Program, which helps Mississippi businesses integrate AI into operations. Collins, founder of Red Beans Group, has worked with Deloitte and various startups. His expertise in AI adoption and economic development supports Mississippi’s transformation into an AI-powered entrepreneurial hub, fostering innovation and bridging the digital divide.
Dr. Rico Chapman
Dr. Rico Chapman
Ann Beard Etier
Ann Bear Etier
Ann Beard Etier is a seasoned educator with 28 years of teaching experience, currently serving as a gifted education teacher at Northwest Rankin Middle School in Flowood, Mississippi. In 2023, she was selected for the Mississippi AI Collaborative’s Educator Accelerator Fellowship, a program designed to empower educators to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their teaching practices. During her fellowship, Etier explored practical applications of AI in the classroom, such as utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance creative writing exercises.
Dr. Craig A Meyer
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Dr. Craig A. Meyer
Dr. Craig A. Meyer is an Associate Professor of English and Director of the Writing Program at JSU. With a Ph.D. from Ohio University, his research focuses on rhetoric, composition, disability studies, and AI’s influence on writing. His work explores the integration of classical rhetoric in digital communication and AI-assisted writing strategies. Dr. Meyer actively publishes in academic journals and develops AI-infused pedagogical approaches to enhance critical thinking and literacy skills.
Dr. Sadia Khan
Dr. Sadia Khan
Dr. Sadia Khan is an Associate Professor of Marketing at JSU’s College of Business. Holding a Ph.D. from Cardiff University, her research examines consumer behavior, sustainable marketing, and AI-driven business strategies. She teaches courses in digital marketing and international business while exploring AI’s impact on market trends and consumer engagement. Dr. Khan will co-chair the 2025 College of Business Research Conference, highlighting AI’s role in transforming business and global economic practices.
Agenda
9:00 – 9:15 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks
Introduction to the Symposium’s Objectives
Dr. James Robinson
President’s Welcome
Dr. Marcus L. Thompson
Provost’s Welcome
Dr. Denise Gregory
Acknowledgment of Sponsors and Partners
Mississippi AI Collaborative, JSU College of Education and Human Development, JSU College of Liberal Arts, JSU College of Business
9:15 – 9:45 AM | Keynote Address: The Future of AI in Education
Speaker: LaMarcus Norman
This keynote presentation will examine the evolving role of artificial intelligence in K-12 and higher education, highlighting current advancements, future applications, and the implications for educators, students, and institutional policies.
9:45 – 10:15 AM | Panel Discussion: The Role of AI in Redefining Teaching & Learning
Moderator: James Robinson
Panelists:
Ann Beard Etier, Alisa Mosley, Craig A. Meyer, David Collins, Olga Shugurova, LaMarcus Norman, Nizar Alsharari
This panel discussion will explore the impact of AI on pedagogy, curriculum development, and student engagement. Panelists will address key considerations, including ethical challenges, best practices for implementation, and the role of AI in shaping the future of education.
10:15 – 10:20 AM | Break
10:20 – 10:35 AM | AI Tools for Success in K-12 Education
Speaker: Dr. Stella Smith
This session will provide an overview of AI-powered tools designed to enhance learning experiences for students and support educators in instructional planning, assessment, and student engagement.
10:35 – 10:50 AM | Breakout Session 1
Facilitators: Dr. Stella Smith and Dr. Ann Beard Etier
Participants will engage in small-group discussions and hands-on activities to explore the application of AI tools in K-12 education, focusing on instructional strategies and classroom integration.
10:50 – 11:05 AM | AI in Higher Education – Tools & Strategies
Speaker: Dr. Alisa Mosley
This session will examine AI applications in curriculum development, student support services, and faculty professional development. The discussion will also address policy considerations for AI implementation at the state and institutional levels, including MSDOE, CAPE, and JSU.
11:05 – 11:25 AM | Breakout Session 2
Facilitators: Dr. Alisa Mosley and Dr. Olga Shugurova
Participants will explore case studies and engage in hands-on demonstrations of AI tools designed to support instructional design, research, and student engagement in higher education.
11:35 – 11:50 AM | AI in Liberal Arts Education
Speakers: Dr. Rico Chapman
This session will address the integration of AI in the humanities, social sciences, and creative disciplines, examining its impact on research, pedagogy, and student learning outcomes.
11:50 – 12:10 PM | Breakout Session 3 – Hands-on Creative and Humanities AI Tools
Facilitator: Dr. Brittany Myburgh
Participants will engage in hands-on activities using AI-powered tools such as Adobe Express for image generation and poe.com for chatbot training. These exercises will demonstrate practical applications of AI in humanities coursework and creative assignments.
12:10 – 12:25 PM | AI in Business Education
Speaker: Dr. Nizar Alsharari and Dr. Sadia Khan
This session will examine the role of AI in business education, with a focus on its applications in accounting, finance, and workforce readiness. The discussion will also address strategies for preparing students to work with AI-driven technologies in professional settings.
12:25 – 12:45 PM | Breakout Session 4
Facilitators: David Collins (Innovate Mississippi), with Dr. Nizar Alsharari and Dr. Sadia Khan
Participants will explore AI tools designed to support career readiness, industry collaborations, and experiential learning opportunities in business and entrepreneurship education.
12:45 – 1:00 PM | AI as a Partner in Democratic Education
Speaker: Dr. Olga Shugurova
This session will examine the role of AI in fostering inclusive and participatory educational environments, focusing on the use of AI-driven dialogue systems to enhance student engagement and critical thinking.
1:00 PM | Closing Remarks
Following the Symposium, join representatives from Adobe for a special faculty development session on AI and Adobe Express