TBR names inaugural class of AI Fellows

TBR – The College System of Tennessee has selected 22 faculty members from across the state as the inaugural AI Fellows Class of 2026-27. The AI Fellows Program is an initiative of the TBR AI Learning Collaborative. It builds on the system's ongoing work in AI literacy, responsible implementation, professional learning and workforce readiness. Fellows will turn the TBR Student AI Literacy Competency Framework into practical, discipline-specific classroom experiences. Their focus goes beyond technical skills. They will help students evaluate AI-generated information, verify outputs, apply human judgment and determine when AI is or is not appropriate for a task.

Throughout the year, Fellows will research how AI is changing their disciplines and related workforce sectors. They will gather input from employers, practitioners and professional standards to ensure student competencies reflect real workplace needs. In spring 2027, Fellows will pilot their approaches with students and collect evidence of learning, challenges and lessons learned. The fellowship will conclude in summer 2027 with the AI Fellows Summer Showcase, where Fellows will present their findings and submit their projects to the TBR AI Exchange. Please join us in congratulating this distinguished group.

Members of the AI Fellows Class of 2026-27:

• Andrea Amos, Associate Professor, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Northeast State Community College
• Jennifer Boyd, Adjunct Faculty, Psychology, Pellissippi State Community College
• Phuc Bui, Assistant Professor, Engineering Technologies, Southwest Tennessee Community College
• Dawn Dabney, Associate Professor, Mathematics, Northeast State Community College
• Jessica Dalton-Carriger, Associate Professor, Social Science, Business and Education, Roane State Community College
• Amy Davis, Assistant Professor, English, Northeast State Community College
• Priscilla Gitschlag, Associate Professor, Communication, Chattanooga State Community College
• Michelle Gomes, Director of the Education Career Community, Cleveland State Community College
• Sidney Hardyway, Professor, Psychology and Education, Volunteer State Community College
• Vaidas Lukosius, Associate Professor, Business Administration, Tennessee State University
• Lijian Ma, Assistant Professor, Sustainable Architecture, Tennessee State University
• Shreya Nagar, Instructor, Biology, Nashville State Community College
• Nicole Neely, Instructor, Pharmacy Technology, Tennessee College of Applied Technology Pulaski
• Lingli Ni, Assistant Professor, Mathematics, Volunteer State Community College
• John Noto, Associate Professor, Biology, Roane State Community College
• Soyoung Park, Associate Professor, English, Southwest Tennessee Community College
• David Rath, Associate Professor, Business, Roane State Community College
• Jessica Sherwood, Assistant Professor, Mathematics, Cleveland State Community College
• Bridgett Smith, Professor, Mathematics, Southwest Tennessee Community College
• Brenden Taylor, Assistant Professor, Theatre, Motlow State Community College
• David Trent, Instructor, Computer Science, Northeast State Community College
• Leigh Watson, Program Director and Instructor, Healthcare Management, Nashville State Community College

Learn more about the Fellows and the AI Fellows Program.