During the fall of 2024, Melanie Gagich, director of first year writing and senior lecturer in the English Department, was inspired to create the AI Teaching and Learning Lab to help students better navigate the growing complexities of artificial intelligence. As a writing instructor, Gagich says she has been “on the front lines” of seeing students misuse AI, both intentionally and unintentionally.

Motivated by these experiences, she envisioned a space where students could come with questions about AI – whether to clarify instructor policies, learn how to maintain authenticity in their work or simply explore when and how AI might be an appropriate tool to use. The goal, she says, is to foster open discussion, education and thoughtful decision making about the role of artificial intelligence in academic and creative work.

 

Image

“AI is here to stay,” said Gagich, the newly appointed facilitator of the AI Teaching and Learning Lab. “So, I wanted to be able to help students navigate AI, because it’s super complex…and I really want this to be a space where students could come with those questions.”

Gagich doesn’t consider herself an AI expert, but believes strongly in the power of technology as a learning tool. Describing herself as a “technology optimist,” she said she noticed there wasn’t a dedicated space on campus where students could openly explore AI and get help navigating it.

“I just wanted a place where students could go to ask questions and feel safe about it," Gagich said. “I was really seeing students misuse (AI) and it was something I just wanted to help them understand.”

Housed in CSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, the AI Teaching and Learning Lab is an initiative designed to give students a place where they can ethically explore the workings of AI. The dean of the college, Andrew Kersten, hopes that this new program will allow for a safe learning experience. 
 

Image

“AI is transforming many parts of American life, including education,” Kersten said. “With the AI Teaching and Learning Lab, CSU students and faculty will have the opportunity to experiment safely and ethically and explore how to utilize this new technology to advance learning.”

The lab, scheduled to open in spring 2026, will be housed in the Academic Support Hub in Berkman Hall – a space where students can currently meet with software tutors for help with programs like Excel or Blackboard. With the addition of the AI Lab, that support has the opportunity to include guidance on emerging digital tools.

“We thought this would be a perfect fit to have them turn into digital learning and AI tutors,” Gagich said.

The college is currently developing three asynchronous Blackboard modules to prepare tutors for the AI component of their work. The training, about three hours in total, will ensure they’re well equipped to guide students in this new area.

“The modules are about choosing the right tool for the job, prompt engineering, and AI and ethics,” Gagich said. “The tutors will be able to go through that; I will be facilitating and helping them.”

Gagich and the college are also working to secure five ChatGPT Pro subscriptions for the lab, allowing students to explore the advanced features of the software without having to purchase their own. Students will be able to reserve up to 30 minutes with a tutor to experiment and learn hands-on.

As part of the pilot phase, the college has already introduced three interactive workshops this semester. Two courses – AI and Writing and AI and Learning Strategies – have already taken place, with a third, AI and Research, scheduled for Nov. 13 in Berkman Hall 420.

“That part of the lab has been happening,” Gagich said. “The (physical) lab itself is not open until the last two weeks of the (fall) semester.”

Set to officially open in spring 2026, the lab will welcome all students interested in exploring and learning about AI. Once it opens, students can simply drop in and use one of the available computers to experiment with the technology.

For now, Gagich is looking forward to the lab officially opening. What began as a desire to help students better understand and engage with AI has become a reality, one she hopes will continue to grow and make a lasting impact on campus.

“I just really hope it can grow into something that can really help students and become better known on campus,” Gagich said. “I want it to be something that actually happens.”