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AI is rapidly transforming higher education
The SHAPE AI initiative is working to ensure that AI drives opportunity and works for students, not against them.
Colleges and Universities are Integrating AI into Every Facet of the Student Experience
Fast-moving advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are creating transformative opportunities in higher education. Schools across the country are already using AI to personalize learning, expand research capacity, improve advising, identify students at risk of falling behind, and even support mental health.
But as with any new technology, the rapid adoption of AI on campus presents risks.
Schools are increasingly outsourcing core functions—from recruiting and admissions to grading and student support services—to AI. Students need guidelines and guardrails to protect them from misuse of the powerful new technology.
The SHAPE AI advisory board
Launched by Student Defense in September 2025, SHAPE (Safeguarding Higher-Ed Through AI Practices & Ethics) AI brings together top higher education leaders and experts to develop guidance and best practices for how colleges and universities use AI.
Focus areas
SHAPE AI’s work is structured around four key areas of opportunity and risk. For each of these areas, we have convened a working group of subject matter experts to inform the work and develop new strategies to ensure student protections.
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Ensuring ethical and equitable use of AI across the student enrollment pipeline—from initial recruitment to financial aid determinations.
Working Group Members:
Jay Bozman, EdTech Investor
Alessandra Cipriani-Detres, National College Attainment Network (NCAN)
Sameer Gadkaree, Former TICAS President
David Hawkins, Former Chief Education and Policy Officer at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
Phillip Honenberger, Center for Equitable AI & Machine Learning Systems (CEAMLS), Morgan State University
Cameron Howell, University of South Carolina
Jonathan Joshua, Joshua Law Firm
Robert Luo, Admission Officer at Stanford University
Michael Meotti, Executive Director, Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Melanie Muenzer, Empowered Higher Education Consulting
Staci Pennington, University of Tulsa
Annie Reznik, Ed Advancement
Matt Sessa, Ed Advancement
Dr. Ka’rin Thornburg, Ed Advancement
Joya Wheatfall-Melvin, McCourt School of Public Policy Alumna
Sarah Zearfoss, University of Michigan Law School
Working group members participate in their individual capacities, not as representatives of their employers.
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Promoting effective and fair use of AI to support student welfare, retention, privacy, and graduation, including coaching, mental health assistance, and access to essential benefits.
Working Group Members:
Saanvi Arora, Youth Power Project
Laura Bernhard, California Competes
Dr. Julian Capel, Ed Advancement
Sameer Gadkaree, Former TICAS President
Jackie Gardina, AGB
Craig Hayward, California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office
Alex Krulic, Guild Education
Martin Kurzweil, Ithaka S+R
Annie Reznik, Ed Advancement
Roberto Rodriguez, Georgetown University
Matt Sessa, Ed Advancement
Stacey Shears, California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office
Joy Silvern, former Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Education
Paige Swanstein, Student Basic Needs Coalition
Mayu Tobin-Miyaji, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
Claire Viall, Strada Foundation
John Ward, American University
Ronda Westry, Alabama State University
Working group members participate in their individual capacities, not as representatives of their employers.
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Creating guidelines for the instructional use of AI, emphasizing student-centric access, data security, transparent procurement and deployment of AI tools, and maintaining effective human roles and responsibilities in the learning process.
Working Group Members:
Jenni Abbott, California Community College Chancellor's Office
Bryan Alexander, Georgetown University
Alessandra Cipriani-Detres, National College Attainment Network (NCAN)
Regina Curran, American University
Dan Harrison, The University of North Carolina System
Nancy Morgan, Cantellus Group
Carlota Ocampo, Trinity Washington University
Hironao Okahana, American Council on Education
Roberto Rodriguez, Georgetown University
Joseph South, ISTE+ASCD
Alison Thomas, American University
C. Edward Watson, AAC&U
Working group members participate in their individual capacities, not as representatives of their employers.
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Examining how institutions can best prepare students for the AI-infused job market by fostering AI literacy and critical thinking skills and ensuring equitable career opportunities.
Working Group Members:
Jenni Abbott, California Community College Chancellor's Office
Mohamed Abdel-Kader, Radial Global Advisory
Bryan Alexander, Georgetown University
Nicole Allen, Open Education Association
Cameron Benham, InnovateEDU
Jessie Brown, American Council on Education
Emily Caplan, Cantellus Group
Don Daves-Rougeaux, California Community College Chancellor's Office
Kemi Jona, University of Virginia
Mairead Jones-Kennelly, State University of New York
James Kvaal, Carnegie Corporation of New York
Martin Kurzweil, Ithaka S+R
Nancy Morgan, Cantellus Group
Erin Mote, EDSAFE AI Alliance/InnovateEDU
Roberto Rodriguez, Georgetown University
Working group members participate in their individual capacities, not as representatives of their employers.
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