The College of Southern Maryland has established the CSM AI Task Force to direct the incorporation of artificial intelligence into its educational and operational frameworks. This cross-functional group, initiated in spring 2025, aligns with the college’s Built for Success strategic plan and emphasizes ethical, equitable, and secure AI applications across teaching, learning, and administrative functions.
Co-chaired by Valarie Burks, vice president of information management and technology, and Dr. Stephanie McCaslin, dean of learning resources, the CSM AI Task Force comprises faculty, staff, and administrators addressing eight key areas: curriculum development, infrastructure, faculty training, student engagement, and others. The initiative aims to position the college as a leader in technological innovation while prioritizing student success and institutional efficiency.
“The strength of this task force lies in the broad range of viewpoints and perspectives among its members, who represent various areas of the college,” said CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson. “That collective strength is supported by strong leadership. Dr. McCaslin brings a clear focus on learning, student success, and the classroom experience, while Vice President Burks contributes a deep understanding of the systems, data, and infrastructure that support the college. Together, they provide the kind of balanced, mission-driven leadership we need to guide our AI strategy.”
Burks, who joined the college in 2022 as associate vice president and chief information officer before her promotion to vice president in July 2024, highlighted AI’s broader institutional effects. “AI is transforming not only how we teach and learn, but how we operate,” she said. “This task force is about ensuring we approach that transformation with care and responsibility. We are excited about what this means for our students and the future of the college.”
McCaslin, a faculty member since 1997 with expertise in mathematics, data literacy, and instructional design, is actively involved in the League AI Fellows program, a national initiative by the League for Innovation in the Community College. This six-month professional development experience equips community college leaders to implement AI responsibly, with cohorts running through April 2026. She is also organizing faculty development sessions via the Michelle Simpson Center for Teaching and Learning during the 2025-26 academic year to boost AI literacy campus-wide.
“The integration of AI at CSM is not about following a trend,” said McCaslin. “It is about reimagining how we teach, how we support students, and how we prepare them for a future where AI will be part of everyday life. My focus is to ensure that we adopt these tools in a way that strengthens learning, promotes equity, and maintains human connection.”
Wilson, who assumed the presidency in January 2023 as the institution’s first African American leader, was named national president of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges in July 2025. Her role underscores efforts to empower women in higher education, complementing the CSM AI Task Force’s inclusive approach.
The CSM AI Task Force’s rollout coincides with key events, including the college’s 2025 Convocation, which kicks off the 2025-26 academic year. The gathering will include a keynote by Dr. Kristi Wellington-Baker, AWS higher education strategy leader for learner lifecycle innovation, followed by a panel on “AI and the Future of Learning: Expanding Access, Accelerating Momentum, and Powering Mobility.” Wellington-Baker, with experience scaling programs at institutions like Walla Walla Community College, focuses on engaging higher education leaders in AI-driven student support.
This development reflects broader trends in Maryland community colleges, where AI integration is gaining traction. For instance, the Community College of Baltimore County introduced an associate degree in artificial intelligence in July 2025, while Cecil College launched a certificate program in the same field. Prince George’s Community College has explored AI tools for workflow efficiency in academic settings. In Southern Maryland, initiatives like summer camps supported by SoMD 2030 and the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering have introduced high school students to AI applications, fostering a pipeline for local talent.
Statewide, Maryland’s higher education landscape includes task forces and policies addressing AI’s impact, as seen in reports from the Maryland Higher Education Commission and efforts at institutions like the University of Maryland to promote responsible engagement. Google partnered with Maryland in June 2025 to offer AI training, targeting military students and veterans, which aligns with Southern Maryland’s proximity to bases like Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
The CSM AI Task Force builds on the college’s history of adapting to technological shifts, serving students across Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert counties since its founding in 1958. As AI reshapes workforce demands, this effort positions CSM to equip learners with skills for emerging careers, drawing on collaborations with industry partners like AWS.
