The rapid emergence of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) necessitates a shift in higher education from theoretical awareness to applied proficiency. This paper explores a multifaceted model for AI adoption, spanning faculty empowerment, student-centered pedagogy, and operational efficiency. Drawing on the author's academic foundation— including an M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration Technology Studies from the University of Alabama—this study details a "dovetail" framework. This framework prepares faculty for AI-augmented instruction while simultaneously leveraging AI for technical entrepreneurship. Crucially, the Applied Technology program at Alabama State University is designed to prepare Master's-level students for executive leadership in technology, ensuring they possess the strategic vision to manage AI ecosystems in both academic and corporate environments. The "Applied AI Ecosystem" model demonstrates that when faculty development, curriculum design, and entrepreneurial workflow are aligned, the result is a powerful engine for institutional growth. The author's journey from studying instructional technology in Massachusetts to leading technology administration in Alabama underscores the necessity of a multifaceted approach to digital transformation, ensuring that the next generation of technologists are not just participants in the AI revolution, but its strategic architects.
Implementation steps and strategic initiatives
Kenley Obas's dovetail framework at Alabama State University presents a sophisticated model for simultaneously developing faculty AI competency and preparing graduate students for executive leadership in AI-augmented environments. The first implementation step is to formally establish an Applied AI Ecosystem committee comprising the Coordinator of Applied Technology, department chairs from the College of Education, and representatives from the university's information technology and strategic planning offices. This committee should be charged with operationalizing the dovetail framework across the institution and reporting progress to the provost's office on a semester basis.
The faculty empowerment strand of the dovetail framework requires a structured professional development pathway with three tiers: AI awareness, AI integration, and AI leadership. Each tier should have defined competencies, recommended learning activities, and a micro-credential or digital badge that faculty earn upon completion. The pathway should be self-paced but time-bounded, with a target of all full-time faculty completing at least the first tier within one academic year. Incentives such as course release time, conference travel support, or stipends should be offered to faculty who complete the higher tiers.
The student-centered pedagogy strand requires redesigning the Applied Technology master's program curriculum to embed AI ecosystem management competencies throughout. Each course should be reviewed by the Applied AI Ecosystem committee to identify opportunities for AI integration, and at least two new AI-focused electives should be developed: one on AI strategy and governance and one on technical entrepreneurship using AI tools. Capstone projects should require students to develop an AI implementation plan for a real organization, with presentations to an external advisory board that includes industry and government stakeholders.
The operational efficiency strand should pilot AI tools for administrative processes such as advising, scheduling, and grant reporting, documenting time savings and quality improvements. Lessons learned from these pilots should be shared with students as case studies in AI-driven organizational change, connecting classroom learning to institutional practice. An annual Applied AI Ecosystem Summit hosted by Alabama State University would convene faculty, students, industry partners, and peer HBCU representatives to share progress, exchange ideas, and strengthen the network of institutions committed to this model.