LA PLATA, Md. — The College of Southern Maryland AI Task Force is actively developing policies to guide responsible use and strategic integration of artificial intelligence across academic programs and administrative operations at the community college serving Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.
Formed in spring 2025, the task force brings together faculty, staff and administrators to examine AI applications with emphasis on ethics, security, privacy, policy development, environmental considerations and curriculum updates. Co-chairs are Valarie Burks, vice president of information management and technology, and Dr. Stephanie McCaslin, dean of learning resources.
“When used thoughtfully, AI has potential to reshape how we learn, educate, and operate in the workforce,” Burks said. “This Task Force is focused on embracing the opportunities AI provides to better serve our students, faculty, and staff, and doing so in an ethical, secure, and strategic way.”
CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson highlighted the college’s proactive approach to preparing students for an AI-driven economy.
“AI is reshaping every industry our students will enter, and we have a responsibility to prepare them for that reality,” Dr. Wilson said. “At CSM, we are not reacting to change, we are helping to shape it by integrating AI in ways that are thoughtful, ethical, and grounded in our mission to expand opportunity and drive economic mobility.”
The task force partners with the Michelle Simpson Center for Teaching and Learning to expand professional development. Throughout the year, it offers workshops, webinars and discussions on AI challenges, concerns and effective techniques for teaching and learning.
In January, staff hosted “Balancing Technology and The Human Connection,” a program that explored using AI to handle routine tasks and free time for deeper exploration and productive environments. In March, a prompt engineering workshop taught participants how to craft effective inputs for optimal AI results. Additional sessions have addressed scheduling, data analytics and misinformation detection.
Dr. McCaslin stressed the need to balance technology with human insight.
“While AI is a powerful tool, it does not replace human experience or judgement,” McCaslin said. “The Task Force is working to build a culture of AI literacy to ensure students, faculty, and staff can balance this technology with human expertise, and navigate an AI world effectively and ethically.”
In February, the task force launched a survey to gather data on current AI usage, awareness levels, concerns and support needs among students, faculty and staff. Results will shape future policies and training programs.
An updated institutional AI policy is expected for the 2026-2027 academic year. The effort aligns with CSM’s broader strategic plan to advance innovation while maintaining core educational values.
Southern Maryland residents benefit directly from this work. CSM serves thousands of local students pursuing degrees, certificates and workforce training in fields increasingly influenced by AI, from healthcare and cybersecurity to business and engineering technology. By building AI literacy, the college aims to boost graduate employability and support regional economic growth in the tech corridor south of Washington, D.C.
The task force’s activities reflect a measured approach: identify opportunities, address risks and ensure equitable access. Workshops emphasize practical skills such as prompt engineering while reinforcing ethical guidelines around data privacy and academic integrity.
CSM’s initiative joins similar efforts at other Maryland institutions but stands out for its early focus on community college students who often enter the workforce quickly or transfer to four-year programs.
Additional workshops and webinars are planned to sustain momentum. The college encourages participation from the campus community and will continue sharing progress through its news channels.
As AI tools evolve rapidly, CSM officials say staying ahead requires ongoing collaboration and education. The task force’s work positions the college to harness technology responsibly while preserving the human connections central to learning.
Residents of Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties can follow developments through the CSM website. Students and employees interested in upcoming sessions should check the Michelle Simpson Center for Teaching and Learning calendar.
This spring 2026 update confirms steady progress since the task force launch, with concrete training events already completed and policy work advancing on schedule.
