CANTON, Mo. — Culver-Stockton College has partnered with the Google AI for Education Accelerator to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) tools, resources, and training into the curriculum, preparing students for the evolving workplace. This collaboration provides students, faculty, and staff with access to Google’s AI tools, including Gemini Pro, NotebookLM, and Veo, as well as career certificates and short courses.
Dr. Joseph Liesen, assistant professor of data analytics, spearheaded the partnership for Culver-Stockton College. He said instead of discouraging students from using AI, through using the Google AI program, faculty will help students learn how to use these tools responsibly and ethically. He noted that students can use the tools to generate ideas, create personalized study plans, and enhance assignments with visualizations. For example, Liesen plans to show his Data Analytics class how to integrate reading materials into the Google NotebookLM tool to better understand content and create personalized study frameworks.
“I think Google NotebookLM is the future of learning because of how it synthesizes material and can create study plans and document learning tasks,” Liesen said. “This tool is excellent for teaching and learning as well as for research.”
While Dr. Liesen said the resources are currently optional add-ons, faculty will discuss ways to formally integrate them into the curriculum, potentially offering academic credit for completing certain courses. The new Culver-Stockton College Technology Club for students is helping to spread the word to students about the partnership.
In addition to students, faculty and staff can also benefit from the program. Faculty can use the tools to enhance teaching and research, while staff can learn to use AI to improve productivity and creativity.
“In the past few years, employers were worried that their employees were using AI,” Liesen noted. “Now they should be worried if they are not using it.”
This partnership aligns with Culver-Stockton’s commitment to experiential learning and its new Computer and Data Science degree program, as well as the specialization in Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics in the C-SC MBA program. Liesen explained the partnership gives Culver-Stockton a competitive advantage, noting that few peer institutions have integrated AI into their curriculum as aggressively.
“We have a clear vision of the future and what our students will need to be successful, and this partnership helps us to further that vision,” he said.
According to Liesen, the program’s impact will be measured by tracking user engagement through administrator tools. He believes the free educational tools provide a “golden opportunity” to attract and retain students and positively impact their learning for the rest of their lives.
For more information about C-SC’s Computer and Data Science degree program visit https://culver.edu/majors/computer-data-science/. Learn more about the C-SC MBA with an AI and Business Analytics specialization at https://culver.edu/master-of-business-administration/.
Contact the Marketing & Public Relations Office, at pr@culver.edu or 573-288-6000 ext. 6728 for more information.
NOTE: A number that appears immediately after a person’s name (i.e. Jane Doe ’18) is a reference to the year that person earned their bachelor’s degree from Culver-Stockton.