VCSU Establishes AI Institute for Teaching and Learning

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University has launched the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute for Teaching and Learning, positioning itself at the forefront of shaping North Dakota’s K–12 education future through the integration of AI.

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education provided final approval for the AI Institute for Teaching and Learning on Sept. 23, and VCSU will now move quickly forward to provide resources and AI training for teachers across the state. The institute is a statewide collaboration of several North Dakota institutions led by VCSU.

A core priority of the AI Institute is equipping K-12 teachers with the knowledge and skills to use artificial intelligence responsibly and ethically in the classroom. Drawing on the leadership and expertise of VCSU faculty along with the partner institutions, the Institute will provide comprehensive, standardized professional development for K–12 educators and administrators. These programs are designed to ensure participants develop the competencies needed to work effectively with AI technologies while helping students navigate the rapidly evolving world of AI-enabled learning.

“With VCSU’s long and distinguished history of preparing teachers and leading in innovation, this is a perfect fit for our university,” said Dr. Alan LaFave, president of VCSU. “We are excited to lead this initiative and join forces with several other North Dakota universities and agencies. AI is evolving so quickly and by working together we will help North Dakota teachers adopt and expand new practices more quickly.”

The AI Institute received a $1 million grant from the North Dakota Workforce Education Innovation Fund (WEIF), which provides funding to NDUS institutions for creating and improving educational programs that address the state’s workforce needs. The fund was established by the North Dakota Legislature in 2023.

Two other early areas of focus for the AI institute include preparing career-ready graduates who are well-versed in AI, and the use of AI to create and improve personalized learning pathways for students.

Educators and school administrators interested in learning more can visit the VCSU AI Institute website or contact Vice President for Academic Affairs Larry Brooks, larry.brooks@vcsu.edu, or Chief Information Officer Joe Tykwinski, joe.tykwinski@vcsu.edu.