LA PLATA, Md. — Leaders from the College of Southern Maryland shared their strategic roadmap for integrating artificial intelligence across campus operations and academics during a national conference this spring, positioning the institution as a model for community colleges nationwide.
Co-chairs of CSM’s AI Task Force presented the college’s comprehensive approach at the American Association of Community Colleges Annual Conference. Valarie Burks, vice president of information management and technology, and Dr. Stephanie McCaslin, dean of learning resources, led the session that drew community college leaders from across the country. They detailed CSM’s priorities and practical steps for responsible AI adoption.
The presentation comes as AI policy adoption in higher education accelerates. According to EDUCAUSE, the number of colleges and universities with formal AI use policies doubled from 2024 to 2025. Task force leaders stressed the importance of proactive planning amid this rapid growth.
Credit: College of Southern Maryland
“CSM is stepping up as a leader in sharing how we can stay ahead of the curve to ensure AI can be used thoughtfully and ethically,” Burks said. “Strategic implementation is bigger than one policy, or a one-size-fits-all approach. It requires campus-wide collaboration so that all students, faculty, and staff can benefit from this powerful tool.”
Titled “Shaping AI Integration in Community Colleges: The CSM Roadmap to the Future,” the session examined national trends in AI adoption and highlighted the task force’s key focus areas: ethics and responsible use, data privacy, student engagement, and ongoing evaluation.
CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson praised the task force’s work, noting that the college aims to lead by example in purposeful technology integration.
“The CSM AI Task Force is setting the pace for intentionally integrating this emerging technology,” Dr. Wilson said. “We are deliberately shaping how these tools can be woven into our college culture in order to remain committed to strengthening student success and meeting workforce needs.”
The task force has organized multiple campus initiatives to build broad support. These include workshops, panel discussions and listening sessions that incorporate student perspectives alongside those of faculty and staff. Participants examined challenges, concerns and effective techniques for using AI tools. The college also conducted a campus-wide survey to gauge current understanding, usage patterns, obstacles and support requirements.
Professional development and training programs will continue as the implementation advances, officials said.
“We are committed to building up an AI culture at CSM, focused on building trust and engagement across divisions and across the student body,” McCaslin said. “This technology does not replace the human experience, but when used strategically, elevates our potential to reach new goals.”
The session wrapped up with actionable guidance for other institutions. Presenters encouraged leaders to establish a clear purpose for AI integration, allocate dedicated time and resources, and maintain a consistent emphasis on student success.
Southern Maryland’s community college serves thousands of students across Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties. Its AI initiative reflects a broader commitment to preparing learners for a technology-driven workforce while safeguarding ethical standards and privacy. By fostering collaboration among all campus stakeholders, CSM aims to harness AI’s potential to enhance teaching, learning and administrative efficiency without compromising the personal connections central to education.
The task force’s national presentation underscores the college’s role in contributing to conversations about emerging technologies in higher education. As more institutions develop their own AI frameworks, CSM’s emphasis on inclusive planning and continuous evaluation offers a practical example rooted in local needs and national trends.
Officials said the work remains ongoing, with future efforts focused on refining policies, expanding training and measuring outcomes to ensure AI serves as a tool for equity and opportunity across Southern Maryland.
