TerrapinSTRONG Symposium

Few developments have disrupted the academic technology space in recent years like generative AI (GenAI). To help the university navigate the new AI landscape, the Academic Technology Experience (ATEX) team within the Division of IT administered surveys designed to establish students’ and instructors’ baseline use and perceptions around GenAI tools. To make the most of these efforts, however, we needed to disrupt our own survey processes and develop innovative strategies for survey creation, administration, and reporting.

One example is the creation of the Pop-Up Protocol (PUP), a rapid, low-barrier interview method that informed the design of a campus-wide GenAI survey. PUP allowed us to build empathy through short video clips, guide survey language, and amplify the student voice in both the instrument and reporting. We used mixed-method dissemination including infographics, narrative summaries, interactive presentations, digital signage, and social media to increase visibility.

We’ll also share results from our participation in EDUCAUSE surveys, which provided a valuable update on students’ GenAI use. Here, we tested pre-notifications, alternative incentives, and push notifications to increase survey response rates. While changes in incentive and pre-notifications had little effect, students who received push notifications via our campus app were 54% more likely to respond.

Our findings highlight both successes and lessons learned, pointing toward future possibilities like mobile-based pulse surveys, more intentional campus-wide coordination, curating and featuring video interviews, and rethinking what success looks like in survey work.

Jonathan Engelberg & Tiffany Pao, research analysts, Division of Information Technology

Today's colleges and universities are navigating massive tech shifts, balancing automated services with their unique identities and community ties. As a Senior Cloud Engineer with 8 years of experience in UMD's infrastructure at Division of IT, who's spearheaded large-scale conversational AI projects across departments and cloud platforms, I'm sharing practical lessons on steering this change through smart automation.

In this session, we'll explore the tension between tech efficiency and human values in academia. Using real case studies from cross-departmental chatbot deployments and cloud-native architectures, we'll discuss theories and methods for digital transformation that honors institutional culture while boosting operations.

Key takeaways include:

• Design principles to maintain personal connections in automated cloud systems.
• Strategies for managing stakeholder resistance across hierarchies.
• Inclusive frameworks for tech adoption that respect diverse skills and cultures.
• Metrics that weigh efficiency gains against community impact.
• Cloud tips for scalable, secure AI implementations.
• Drawing from tech expertise and organizational psychology, we'll address: Does tech dictate our path, or do we shape it? You'll gain evidence-based tools for decision-making, helping preserve community spirit amid rapid change.

Ideal for senior admins, academic leaders, and tech pros seeking thoughtful change management. We'll blend theory with actionable steps to turn digital disruption into institutional growth.

Chaitanya Gunupudi, IT Platform Engineer, Division of Information Technology

A big-picture overview of the evolution of Canvas Data Ingestion and Reporting from the ATEX team. Session will include a look into how things started and where they are now and how the progression came to be.

Hesham Halabi, data engineer, Division of Information Technology
Martyn Clark, senior data engineer, Division of Information Technology

I am interested in facilitating a roundtable discussion about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education to support student learning and growth. As AI tools become increasingly accessible, faculty and students need to explore how these technologies can be meaningfully integrated into academic life. This conversation will focus specifically on ways to use AI to enhance learning strategies, improve organization, and foster greater academic independence and success. Participants will be invited to share their experiences and questions regarding the use of AI-powered tools, including writing assistants, organizational apps, intelligent tutoring systems, and personalized study platforms. The goal will be to encourage collaborative exploration of how AI can serve as a support system rather than a replacement for student effort and critical thinking. I plan to contribute insights and examples gathered during my attendance at the Future Ready Maryland: AI in Education Summit in July 2025, including innovative uses of AI to scaffold student development. The goal will be to share practical strategies and a broader understanding of how AI can be used to support students' evolving needs. This discussion is ideal for faculty, instructional designers, academic advisors, and student support staff who are interested in aligning emerging technologies with student success initiatives.

Stacey C. Williams, internship coordinator & principal lecturer, CHSE, Special Education Program

The world of work is evolving faster than ever — driven by the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and the changing needs of learners and institutions. LinkedIn data shows that the skills required across most roles are changing significantly—creating new opportunities and challenges for today's professionals.

In this session, we’ll explore how LinkedIn Learning can help staff, faculty and students build capacity for change by developing the critical skills needed to adapt and grow in this new era. We’ll look at:

• Key workforce insights from LinkedIn data on how AI is reshaping skills across industries — including trends that impact higher education.
• The importance of upskilling — not just in AI literacy, but also in human and critical skills like communication, adaptability, and problem-solving.
• How to use LinkedIn Learning pathways and AI role-play features to practice navigating change and strengthen essential skills in real-world scenarios.

You’ll leave with actionable resources and strategies to stay agile, relevant, and confident amid change on campus and beyond.

Jenny O'Malley, Customer Success Manager, LinkedIn Learning