Application Deadline: February 17, 2024

Overview

The Provost’s AI Teaching Fellowship program is an intensive 12-month fellowship which equips full-time faculty members (10 fellowship recipients) with the expertise to effectively integrate generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) into their teaching practices, enhancing student engagement, collaboration, and learning outcomes. It consists of various components to ensure a comprehensive understanding and practical application of GenAI in educational settings. Fellows master techniques for integrating GenAI into pedagogical design to enhance student learning experiences.

Eligibility

Columbia Campus, full-time USC faculty members from all disciplines are welcome to apply, as the fellowship fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation. Prior experience with GenAI is NOT required.

Those who are currently enrolled in or have completed the “Teaching with AI” course are eligible for the fellowship. Prior enrollment or completion of this course is not required.

Prior recipients of grants through CTE must have completed the prior project(s) and submitted final report(s) to be eligible to apply for this grant.

Award

Upon successful completion of the fellowship requirements, participants will receive an award of $2,500 for their commitment to advancing education through GenAI integration.

Requirements

Fellows will:

• Complete an 8-module, self-paced online course "Teaching with AI" that provides faculty with resources for integrating GenAI into teaching methods to effectively enhance student learning. Fellows are expected to complete a module every other week.  Topics covered include academic integrity, ethics and legal issues, and using AI to enhance student learning.  A description of the goals and features of the course can be found at: "Teaching with AI."
• Participate in the AI Teaching Fellowship organization on Blackboard.
• Participate in bi-monthly (every other month) meetings with an interdisciplinary learning community comprised of cohort fellows, faculty mentors, and CTE instructional designers.
• Integrate GenAI (based on fellowship experiences and resources) into pedagogical design of a USC course offered in Fall 2025
• Evaluate the impact of the GenAI integration on student learning using qualitative and quantitative measures.
• Disseminate your findings through a campus-wide event, such as a symposium, showcase, or workshop.

Fellowship Dates

• Program Dates: March 17, 2025 – February 17, 2026
• Virtual Kick-Off Meeting (Introductions and Expectations) (March)
• In-person Learning Community Workshops (April)
• Virtual Learning Community Workshops (June)
• In-person Learning Community Workshops (August, October, December)
• AI Teaching Fellowship Showcase (February 2026)

Application Process

Interested faculty members must submit the AI Teaching Fellowship Online Application.

Application materials include:

• Current Vita
• Letter of Interest
• Provide a brief narrative that describes your interest in learning about GenAI and integrating it into the pedagogical design of a USC course in Fall 2025.
• Explain how GenAI could enhance the overall learning experiences for your students.
• If you have prior experiences with GenAI, then please share them.
• Letter of Support signed by your Department Chair, Associate Dean, or Dean. The letter should reflect how your participation as a Provost’s AI Teaching Fellow will create opportunities for sharing innovative teaching strategies with colleagues and leveraging existing opportunities within the department or across colleges.

Expected Outcomes

Expected outcomes for the Provost’s AI Teaching Fellows include:

• Incorporate GenAI into course design to enhance student learning and engagement.
• Share best practices with colleagues to foster innovation in teaching across USC.
• Promote cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange through an interdisciplinary learning community.
• Develop a culture of continuous learning throughout and beyond the AI Teaching Fellowship program.
• Examine the impact of GenAI integration on enhancing student learning experiences.

For any inquiries or assistance, please contact Matt Thatcher, Director, Center for Teaching Excellence at THATCHE1@cse.sc.edu.