Task force established to build a strategic framework for the use of generative AI

A letter from Provost and Executive Vice President Jesse Perez Mendez.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

Dear colleagues,

As a next-generation land-grant university with an eye on enabling technologies, K-State is no stranger to both the advancements and possibilities of generative artificial intelligence, or AI, technologies. Whether in the classroom, within our research efforts or applied across operational practices, AI has offered and continues to offer opportunities to enhance our efforts, drive efficiencies and propel our work and societal advancements forward.

There is no denying that the rapid and ongoing development of AI creates a strong need for enhanced institutional policies, procedures, training and educational services. Key areas of examination and review must include the intersection of AI with issues of academic integrity, ethical use, protection of intellectual property and confidential data — including clinical data — cybersecurity, and more.

To advance a strategic framework for institutional use of AI, I have appointed a university task force on the responsible use of generative AI, led by co-chairs James Wiser, dean of K-State Libraries, and Melanie Derby, professor and Dr. Charles E. Wilson chair in engineering.

Wiser and Derby have formed a steering committee to guide the task force's collective efforts:

  • Daniel Andresen, professor and department head, computer science, Carl R. Ice College of Engineering
  • Nita Awatramani, assistant vice president and chief information security officer, Division of Information Technology
  • Christopher Brandt, associate vice president, Kansas State University Research Foundation
  • Logan Britton, associate professor, agricultural economics, College of Agriculture
  • Lyndon Coghill, assistant vice president for academic IT and research support, Division of Information Technology
  • Jason Coleman, professor and academic services librarian, K-State Libraries
  • Prayas Gautam, K-State graduate student in computer science
  • Keith Hohn, associate dean for academic and administrative affairs, Carl R. Ice College of Engineering
  • Bryce Huschka, global business and product manager, ExxonMobil
  • Demmy Idowu, sophomore in computer science and technology director for the K-State Student Governing Association
  • Kim LeCompte, assistant vice president for talent strategy and engagement, Human Resources
  • Margaret Mohr-Schroeder, vice provost for academic affairs and innovation, Office of the Provost
  • Bin Ning, associate provost and chief data officer, Data, Assessment and Institutional Research, Office of the Provost
  • Alysia Starkey, CEO and dean, K-State Salina

The steering committee is currently in the process of forming five working groups with key areas of focus as well, drawing on additional expertise from across the institution:

  • Teaching and learning/AI literacy
  • Research/intellectual property
  • Institutional excellence
  • Curriculum
  • Medicine

Together, the steering committee and individual working groups will endeavor to build an implementation roadmap that offers a comprehensive timeline for developing and implementing an integrated set of AI-related policies and practices, as well as an action plan for advancing AI literacy across the institution. You can learn more about the task force's charge on the artificial intelligence initiative web page.

I want to take the opportunity to thank all of the task force members and the individuals who will be joining the initiative as part of the five working groups — advancing the ethical use and enabling the application of AI across all areas of our institution is no small task, but it will undoubtedly serve as a driving factor in achieving our Next-Gen K-State aspirations.

Go 'Cats!
Jesse Perez Mendez
Provost and executive vice president