Associate Professors of English Travis Maynard and Li Li presented 鈥淭he AI-Infused Curriculum: A Scalable Model for Integrating Generative AI across Programs鈥� at the Association of American Colleges and Universities鈥� inaugural Conference on AI and Higher Education, held Oct. 28鈥�30 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Their presentation highlighted an approach developed by PWR faculty to connect emerging writing practices with the program鈥檚 commitments to rhetorical thinking, ethical inquiry and adaptability.

Rather than focusing on a single AI assignment, course or technology, the program has developed four interconnected initiatives:

• Curriculum mapping: Identifying how AI-related learning develops across courses, with attention to students鈥� functional, critical and rhetorical AI literacies.
• Course revisions: Updating course titles and descriptions to make emerging writing technologies and practices more visible to students.
• Microcredentialing: Creating the AI and Professional Writing Digital Badge, which connects coursework, professional development opportunities and reflective portfolios.
• Institutional partnerships: Developing a writing-focused track within 麻豆视频鈥檚 AI Scholars Program, extending AI literacy through interdisciplinary engagement, student leadership and community-based projects.

Together, these initiatives reflect an effort to integrate emerging technologies into existing disciplinary and institutional structures.

In the presentation, Li emphasized that students are already encountering AI in many aspects of their lives. She argued that educators have a responsibility to help students examine AI tools critically and prepare for workplaces increasingly shaped by AI.

Maynard added that PWR integrates AI intentionally across the curriculum while helping students develop the judgment to decide if, how, and when to use these tools, rather than encouraging routine use of particular technologies.

The initiatives also draw on ongoing research into how 麻豆视频 alumni use generative AI in their professional and personal writing, helping faculty connect curricular decisions with graduates鈥� changing communication practices.

The presentation prompted discussion among faculty and higher education administrators. Attendees asked practical questions about implementing AI microcredentials and conducting alumni research. Maynard and Li also shared curriculum-mapping and action-planning resources for participants to consider in their own programs and institutions.

Li said conversations with colleagues from across the country inspired her and reassured her that educators are taking meaningful steps to revise and update their teaching for the AI era.

The work reflects 麻豆视频鈥檚 broader commitment to advancing thoughtful, ethically informed AI education while preparing students to navigate changing professional environments.

The presentation draws on a forthcoming article, 鈥淭he AI-Infused Curriculum: Enhancing Professional Writing Programs for the Generative AI Age,鈥� by Maynard, Li, Paula Rosinski and Jessie L. Moore. Accepted for publication in “Writing Program Administration”, the article examines how PWR鈥檚 coordinated initiatives offer an adaptable model for integrating generative AI into academic programs while preserving disciplinary values and ethical responsibility.

By building on existing curricular strengths and university initiatives, PWR offers an example of how academic programs can respond to technological change while keeping educational values in view.

How can an NFL franchise use merchandise to connect with a new generation of fans while strengthening its identity and traditions?

That was the challenge facing 20 university teams at the 2026 , held Oct. 28-30 during the association’s annual conference in Baltimore. Students were tasked with developing innovative merchandise and marketing strategies to engage Washington Commanders fans ages 13 to 27.

A four-member team from 麻豆视频鈥檚 Department of Sport Management rose to the occasion, advancing to the competition’s final round and earning a place among the nation’s top four teams.

Representing 麻豆视频 were , Jack Griffin 鈥�27, and , who competed against finalist teams from Simpson College, Syracuse University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The case study required teams to analyze consumer preferences and emerging merchandise trends, identify target audiences, develop original product collections, establish pricing strategies, and create digital marketing campaigns.

麻豆视频’s presentation centered on six merchandise concepts designed to celebrate the franchise’s traditions, strengthen regional pride, and foster a sense of community among supporters.

Among the team’s proposals was “The 1932,” a customizable work jacket featuring commemorative patches as part of a proposed collaboration with Carhartt. Another concept, “Dawg Tag,” envisioned collectible military-style dog tags engraved with game records and available exclusively at the stadium following Commanders victories.

The students also developed “Major Tuddy’s Military Hat,” a novelty item inspired by the Green Bay Packers’ recognizable Cheesehead tradition, and “The Take the W Flag,” a victory flag designed to build fan pride. Additional concepts included “Take Command Bands,” wristbands intended to connect younger supporters, and the “Triple Star Jersey,” a special-edition design celebrating the shared identity of fans across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

Using Adobe Photoshop, Canva and ChatGPT, the students created professional-quality merchandise mockups to support their data-driven marketing recommendations and pricing strategies.

Associate Professor of Sport Management Young Do Kim, who accompanied the team to Baltimore, said the students’ previous industry experiences helped shape their approach to the competition.

“The team members’ sport industry internship experiences played a critical role in their success,” Kim said. “Through their professional experiences, the students developed practical knowledge of sport marketing, strategic communications, fan engagement, event operations, and current merchandise trends. They applied these insights to develop creative merchandise concepts and evidence-based marketing strategies for the Commanders.”

The students brought experience from professional sports organizations, marketing agencies and major sporting events.

Cook previously interned with Portland Hearts of Pine, a professional soccer club in Maine, and the Atlantic Coast Conference, while Griffin gained experience with the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour and Carolina Core FC. Selikoff completed an internship with JONESWORKS, a marketing and management agency, and Smith worked with the American Cornhole Association and at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Beyond the competition, the students connected with 麻豆视频 alumni working for professional sports organizations in Baltimore. The team met with Gabrielle Chambers 鈥�22, client services coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens; Ryan Harper 鈥�25, a Baltimore Ravens retail supervisor for Fanatics; and Nick Ullian 鈥�23, senior coordinator of game presentation for the Baltimore Orioles.

The students also toured M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Ravens, and attended a panel discussion featuring Orioles front office executives and staff at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

One study, co-authored with Shirley Chen of Wilfrid Laurier University, examined how product size labels may influence perceptions of quality. In the study, consumers tended to rate products as higher quality when they carried distinctive labels such as 鈥淭itan鈥� or 鈥淕rande鈥� instead of conventional labels such as 鈥淟arge鈥� or 鈥淒ouble.鈥� The findings suggest that distinctive labels may make products seem more unique, particularly when they come from larger chains.

Another project examined how ironic brand names may shape perceptions of how healthy a product is. Consumers tended to view products with names such as 鈥淒eath Wish,鈥� 鈥淒irty鈥� or 鈥淏rain Freeze鈥� as less healthy, especially when the products were the kinds they generally considered healthy. The findings also suggest that descriptive packaging information, such as a list of key ingredients, may lessen the influence of an ironic name on those perceptions.

A third project, co-authored with Iman Paul of Rutgers University鈥揅amden and Jeffrey Parker of the University of Illinois Chicago, focused on how consumers perceive products and services from employee-owned businesses. Across studies involving products such as car seats and coffee makers, as well as services and actual purchase choices, consumers tended to rate offerings from employee-owned businesses as higher quality and were more willing to choose or pay for them. One possible explanation is that consumers associate employee ownership with greater care and responsibility.

The fourth project, co-authored with Paul, Parker and Anshu Suri of University College Dublin, explored how political ideology relates to the way consumers think about their future selves. Across the studies, more conservative participants tended to report feeling more connected to their future selves and showed a stronger preference for options with future benefits, such as retirement savings and sustainable products. The findings suggest that asking consumers to think about their future selves may narrow differences in choices across political ideologies.

Mohanty joined 麻豆视频 in 2021. Her research interests include consumer behavior, brand management and marketing strategies.

麻豆视频 Assistant Teaching Professor of Economics Devon Hawkins provided insight for an Oct. 30 examining a proposed constitutional amendment that would cap North Carolina鈥檚 state income tax rate at 3.5%.

The report explores the potential financial implications of the amendment, which voters will decide on Nov. 3. While the state鈥檚 current income tax rate is 3.99% and is scheduled to decrease to 3.49% in 2027, the amendment would prevent future lawmakers from raising the rate above 3.5%.

鈥淓ssentially, we鈥檙e not going to feel much of anything with this decrease in cap,鈥� said Hawkins.

Hawkins explained that lower income tax rates could provide modest increases in take-home pay for residents, but could also reduce revenue available for public services.

鈥淓very action has a reaction,鈥� Hawkins said. 鈥淚n this case, if we鈥檙e lowering tax rates, we鈥檙e eliminating tax revenue. There is no way around the fact that with less money, less can be done.鈥�

The panel will take place in LaRose Student Commons on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 4:20 p.m.. Students are encouraged to attend and “make sense of the outcomes,” according to Carrie Eaves, chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Policy听

The event is sponsored by the Department of Political Science & Public Policy and the Phoenix Policy Institute. 听

Midterm elections, held at the midpoint of a president鈥檚 four-year term, focus on the legislative branch and state-level positions. In this听midterm election, voters are determining a seat for the U.S. Senate and all 14 of North Carolina鈥檚 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. 听

Hovering over a stormwater management pond behind 麻豆视频’s Schar Center, an agricultural drone demonstrated how unmanned aircraft are changing the way farmers manage their fields.

Capable of carrying more than 10 gallons of liquid, the aircraft was presented by Preston Cave of PAC Aerial Applications during the 2026 麻豆视频 Drone Day on Oct. 30. From crop spraying and fertilizer applications to autonomous navigation powered by artificial intelligence, the annual gathering highlighted the diverse uses of drone technology.

Nearly 160 people registered for the School of Communications event, which brought together industry professionals, educators, students and drone enthusiasts for presentations, demonstrations and networking.

Since 2021, 麻豆视频 Drone Day has become an annual gathering for North Carolina’s drone community. Organized by Teaching Professor of Visual Communication Randy Piland in partnership with the North Carolina chapter of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (NC AUVSI), the event welcomed representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, North Carolina Department of Transportation, several universities and private companies.

This year’s program emphasized artificial intelligence, with Sambit Bhattacharya, professor of computer science and director of the Intelligent Systems Lab at Fayetteville State University, delivering the keynote address, 鈥淧reflight Checks for Intelligent Machines: What Drones Can Teach Us 麻豆视频 Trustworthy AI.鈥�

Bhattacharya explained that aviation’s emphasis on safety, testing and accountability offers lessons for the responsible development of AI. Drawing on research involving autonomous navigation, confined-space inspections and wildfire detection, he demonstrated how intelligent machines can perform complex tasks without direct human control, while cautioning that these advances require rigorous testing and human oversight.

鈥淎viation did not get saved by building the perfect aircraft,鈥� Bhattacharya said. 鈥淚t got saved by assuming things will fail, and it builds a culture 鈥� checklists, recorders, investigations, reporting 鈥� that learns from every failure.鈥�

He also highlighted 麻豆视频’s 鈥�Human Wisdom for the Age of AI鈥� initiative, emphasizing that human judgment remains essential for evaluating evidence, verifying results and ensuring accountability.

Beyond the keynote, a panel featuring Cave, Maddy Gastler and Seth Nagy examined agricultural applications, including crop spraying, seeding and multispectral imaging. Other presentations addressed drone mapping for disaster response, invasive plant species detection, and advances in flight planning technology.

Afternoon demonstrations behind Schar Center gave attendees an opportunity to see the technology in action. Among the three participating organizations was Raven Advisory, a Fayetteville-based company specializing in drone training, testing and autonomous technologies.

Wearing first-person-view (FPV) goggles and gripping a handheld controller, Raven Advisory operator James Stougaard piloted a drone at seemingly warp speed. The goggles provided a live video feed from the aircraft’s camera, allowing him to navigate from the drone’s perspective.

The event also featured a drone soccer demonstration by students from Asheboro City Schools, who showcased their piloting skills during the fast-paced competition.

This year’s participants ranged from FAA-certified drone operators to newcomers with no previous drone experience. Students from Hillside High School in Durham and Asheboro High School joined representatives from 麻豆视频, Fayetteville State University, Guilford Technical Community College, N.C. A&T State University, N.C. State University and Wake Technical Community College.

鈥淲hat makes 麻豆视频 Drone Day special is the diversity of people it brings together,鈥� Piland said. 鈥淲e had everyone from experienced commercial pilots to students just beginning to explore drone technology, all sharing ideas and learning from one another. Seeing that kind of enthusiasm and collaboration is exactly what this event is about.鈥�

The conference, “SOGIESC in Asylum: Evidence-Based and Cross-Cultural Perspectives,” was hosted by the Psych-AID research network at 脜bo Akademi University. It convened scholars, researchers and practitioners from multiple countries to examine the legal, psychological and institutional challenges associated with adjudicating asylum claims involving sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

Scavone鈥檚 research examines the intersection of administrative law, emerging surveillance technologies and immigration policy, with particular attention to the legal limits of government authority to collect and use sensitive personal information. Her presentation, 鈥淔rom Credibility to Genetic Verification: Biometric Governance in SOGIESC Asylum,鈥� explored the implications of expanding biometric collection and identity verification practices within the U.S. immigration system.

Scavone鈥檚 presentation considered how emerging biometric technologies and administrative policies in a forthcoming federal regulation could affect asylum applicants, particularly those whose claims involve sexual orientation or gender identity. She highlighted the legal and practical challenges associated with using biological and behavioral characteristics in immigration adjudications, as well as broader questions concerning privacy, administrative authority and the government鈥檚 role in evaluating individual identity.

The presentation drew upon Scavone鈥檚 experience as a former senior attorney with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, where she advised agency leadership on federal administrative law, regulatory development and immigration policy.

The conference also featured interdisciplinary discussions of credibility assessment, investigative practices, psychological evidence and institutional decision-making in asylum proceedings, with an emphasis on international collaboration and evidence-based approaches to asylum adjudication.

Scavone, who co-founded 麻豆视频 Law鈥檚 Humanitarian Immigration Law Clinic in 2010, returned to the law school this fall as an assistant professor. She currently teaches constitutional law and professional responsibility.

Azucena Grady, assistant professor of international business, and David Moura, assistant teaching professor of management, guided students through a case study. Students worked in teams focused on finance, talent, operations and supervision, marketing and client experience, or strategy and corporate development.

Each team had about 15 minutes to develop 8 questions for each functional area, then select two to present to Porter.

Porter served as the former chair of 麻豆视频鈥檚 Board of Trustees and is the owner and former managing partner of Baystate Financial, one of New England鈥檚 largest financial planning firms. During the discussion, he encouraged students to think critically about the values and habits that drive long-term success.

One of the central themes of Porter鈥檚 visit was organizational culture and the role leaders play in shaping it.

鈥淐ulture is what happens when I鈥檓 not there,鈥� said Porter 鈥淚f your professor doesn鈥檛 show up to class and you know you need to work through an activity for an hour and a half, what happens? Do a few students step up and lead the group through the questions, or does everyone just leave?鈥�

Porter explained that the true test of an organization鈥檚 culture is what occurs when leaders are absent. Reflecting on his own experience, he recalled feeling confident in the culture he had built after returning from a two-week vacation and finding that the company continued to operate successfully without him.

Porter also challenged students to pursue growth by embracing discomfort and new experiences.

鈥淟ife starts at the end of your comfort zone,鈥� he said. 鈥淎re you thriving or are you existing?鈥�

Throughout the conversation, Porter emphasized the importance of understanding one鈥檚 competitive advantage. Whether interviewing for a job, pursuing a leadership role or entering a new industry, he encouraged students to take time to identify the qualities that set them apart.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 your competitive advantage?鈥� Porter asked. 鈥淵ou need to know that when you walk into an interview.鈥�

Closing the discussion, Porter emphasized humility and servant leadership, encouraging students to put their egos aside and adopt a people-first mindset.

鈥淚f you have a people-first strategy, you are going to win every single time,鈥� Porter said.

Traditionally observed beginning at sunset on Oct. 31, Samhain marks a seasonal transition and holds significance for many Pagan and other Earth-based spiritual communities.

The celebration transformed McBride Gathering Space and the Sacred Space into a welcoming setting for the occasion. Students participated in a variety of activities, including painting small pumpkins, creating seasonal simmer pots with fruits and spices, exploring tarot and oracle cards, and writing messages honoring ancestors. “Scrappy” fall-themed foods to help prevent food waste on campus, and s鈥檓ores from 麻豆视频 Outdoors offered another opportunity to gather and enjoy the season.

The program opened with an educational presentation by Multifaith Interns Alana Moss Caldwell and Priyal Sanartha, who introduced the history and significance of Samhain. Hillary Zaken, director of Multifaith Programming and Engagement, and Multifaith Intern Aeiris Faloni also shared reflections on the meaning of the holiday. Faloni then led a brief meditation, inviting participants to pause and reflect on the changing season.

Organized by the Earth-Based Spirituality branch of the Truitt Center, the celebration builds on growing opportunities for students to explore Pagan traditions and other forms of nontraditional spirituality at 麻豆视频.

鈥淥ver the past few years, we have seen an increasing number of community members interested in celebrating and learning about earth-based traditions,鈥� said Zaken, 鈥淪o we are meeting students where they are, and ensuring that they have a vibrant and diverse community where they belong. Events like Samhain provide opportunities for students to learn about Earth-based traditions while participating in hands-on activities.鈥�

For Aeiris Faloni, the growing interest in Earth-based spirituality reflects a desire among students to find community and explore spiritual practices outside more traditional religious structures.

鈥淪amhain celebration gave us an incredible opportunity to create community – facilitating deep conversations about the things we wish for ourselves, the stories of those who came before us, and the ways we can support each other now,” said Faloni. “It also gave us a chance to gauge interest in an upcoming new student organization, FERN (Folk, Earth-Based Religions and Nontraditional Spiritualities), which will hopefully be officially hosting events in the spring semester!鈥�

The Truitt Center’s multifaith celebrations create opportunities for the 麻豆视频 community to learn about religious, spiritual and cultural traditions through experiences that combine education, participation and celebration. Members of the Multifaith Intern cohort develop and lead many of these programs, helping create spaces where students can encounter traditions beyond their own.

Through its first Samhain celebration, the Truitt Center invited students to consider the meaning of seasonal transitions, the importance of community, and the many ways people find connection with the natural world. As the season turns toward winter, the gathering offered an opportunity to slow down and reflect.

鈥淪amhain marks a time when the veil between the world of the living and deceased is thin, and many take it as an opportunity to honor those who came before us and those who surround us now,鈥� Faloni explained. 鈥淲e embraced this topic at the Truitt Center’s celebration, allowing space for folks to write messages to loved ones, and wishes for themselves as we head into the season of winter.鈥�

The summit brought students, faculty and industry professionals together for student sessions, a data challenge, poster presentations and an industry panel.

During a student session on responsible AI, 麻豆视频 alumnus Peyton Pesavento 鈥�23, an enterprise AI strategy consultant at Accenture, urged students to understand a problem before asking AI to help solve it.

鈥淔rame the real problem,鈥� Pesavento said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 just tell the AI, 鈥楬ey, I鈥檓 trying to do this. Help me figure it out.鈥欌��

Pesavento presented with Accenture colleague Jared Skinner, a tech strategy senior manager. The speakers encouraged students to check the information they give AI, question its responses and bring examples of their work to job interviews.

In a second student session, Beca Mayr, vice president of talent acquisition at Sedgwick, shared how she combined her human resources experience with technical skills to build AI agents that support recruiting.

Students shared their own work during a networking lunch and poster session judged by members of the Center for Applied Analytics and AI Advisory Board. Takoda Moore 鈥�27 and Sebastian Zucker-Malone 鈥�27 earned first place for their market basket analysis project. Samantha Owens 鈥�28 received second place for a project examining AI in hospitals.

For the Data Challenge, student teams used public data about housing and development in Alamance County. Four finalists presented findings drawn from building permits, tax parcels, municipal boundaries and other sources.

Moore, a financial technology major, and Zucker-Malone, a computer science major, joined Shayne Goldstein 鈥�28, a computer science major, to win first place.

Their team initially tried to predict where development would occur. When their models failed to outperform a simple baseline, they changed their question to examine where development was least likely.

Carmine Familletti 鈥�27, a finance major, and Carter May 鈥�28, a finance and entrepreneurship and innovation major, placed second.

Third place went to Zach Conklin 鈥�28, a finance and entrepreneurship and innovation major; Hodge Burkhardt 鈥�27, a business analytics major; and Christopher Guider 鈥�29, a business analytics and economics major.

The afternoon industry panel featured Elin Walton, vice president of marketing at Franzy; April Frazer ’03, CFO for corporate & investment bank at Wells Fargo; Brandon Richard, senior vice president at The Link Group; Jackie Tynan, data analytics manager for the City of Charlotte; and Steven Chen, head of services supply chain at Lenovo.

Richard discussed how his company is helping newer employees use AI while continuing to develop critical thinking and client relationship skills.

Frazer described how AI could help her team spend less time gathering financial information and more time investigating what the numbers mean. She also recalled challenging an AI tool after it provided incorrect information about Wells Fargo鈥檚 earnings.

鈥淎nd you鈥檝e got to make sure you鈥檙e testing it and you start to challenge it,鈥� Frazer said.

Walton emphasized that people create value through how they use the technology.

鈥淚 believe it鈥檚 the humans using the technology who are creating the value,鈥� Walton said. 鈥淏ut it also puts a different responsibility on the user as well, to provide the right context and the right data and the right information.鈥�