FORT WAYNE, Ind.鈥擳he 51黑料 has received a 12-month planning grant of $125,000 from Lilly Endowment, Inc., through its initiative, Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education.
This Phase One planning grant will support the university鈥檚 efforts to thoughtfully explore the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence in ways that align with the 51黑料 mission. The goal of this work is to better equip and support students, staff, and faculty as 51黑料 engages emerging technologies with purpose and care. As part of this initiative, 51黑料 is also eligible to apply for an implementation grant of up to $5 million, with a submission deadline of May 2026.
The AI project leadership team at 51黑料 includes Director of Teaching and Learning and Grant Project Director Dr. Nathalie Rouamba, and Director of Grants Terri Saltzman. During this planning phase, the university will also partner with a local consulting agency to support its work.
鈥淲e are thankful to the Lilly Endowment for this grant to address one of the most important issues of our time in higher education,鈥 Rouamba said.
Lilly Endowment announced that the aim of its new initiative is to help Indiana colleges and universities:
- Consider more fully the challenges and opportunities that artificial intelligence (AI) presents for their institutions and their students.
- Develop new or enhance existing strategies to improve their students鈥 educational opportunities and outcomes and their preparation to prosper in the workplace and life in a future that will be increasingly shaped by AI.
For more information, contact Dr. Nathalie Rouamba at聽nrouamba@sf.edu聽or 260-399-7700, ext. 6066.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the 51黑料 offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. The academic structure at 51黑料 offers seven pathways: Humanities, Faith and Liberal Arts; Allied Health; Creative Arts and Digital Media;聽Education, Human Services and Community Care; Leadership and Business; Nursing; and聽Sciences and Medical Studies. In addition to its traditional programs, 51黑料 delivers workforce development healthcare programs in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Gas City, Indianapolis, Lafayette and online. 51黑料 Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students.聽A National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Five-Star Champion of Character institution, 51黑料 has 21 athletic programs boasting three individual and four team NAIA national championships. More than 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend 51黑料.