UNH AI Task Force

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What is UNH doing to engage as an institution on AI?

The University of New Hampshire is taking a coordinated, institution-wide approach to artificial intelligence, bringing together faculty, staff, and students to shape how AI is used responsibly and creatively across teaching, research, and operations.

AI Task Force and Charge

At the center of this effort is a newly formed AI Task Force that includes representatives from each college and major administrative division, as well as student leadership. 

The Task Force builds on a spring 2025 Faculty Senate report and is charged with guiding the university’s next phase of engagement. Its work includes: 

  • gathering input from across campus about current and emerging uses of AI;
  • examining implications for teaching, learning, research, and university operations;
  • recommending principles and practical steps for responsible adoption; and
  • identifying professional development needs and strategies to strengthen AI literacy among students, faculty, and staff.

To structure the effort, the Task Force has focused efforts on four themes:

  • Teaching and Learning
  • Research and Creative Works
  • University Operations
  • Policies, Guidelines, and Ethical Frameworks

Within each area, the group will assess current campus practices, outline opportunities and challenges, consider implementation and policy implications, and recommend concrete action steps.

First Steps

One of the first tangible outcomes will be a series of concise, practical “one-pagers” designed to clarify UNH’s vision for AI and provide actionable guidance for different audiences. The initial focus is classroom teaching, an area where questions and concerns are most immediate. These documents are intended to help faculty and students navigate complexity, identify policy gaps, and align practices with shared institutional principles.

The group is also considering recommendations related to physical and technical infrastructure to ensure the university is prepared to support evolving AI tools and applications.

Task Force Core Members

Core Task Force members and their represented areas include: 

  • Ivaylo Nedyalkov, Task Force co-chair, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
  • Matthew MacManes, Task Force co-chair, Academic Affairs
  • Kholekile Gwebu, Paul College of Business and Economics
  • Forrest Schwartz, College of Health and Human Services
  • Molly Campbell, College of Liberal Arts
  • Konstantinos Sousounis, College of Life Sciences and Agriculture
  • Jeffrey Lapak, Institute on Diversity
  • Michael Blackman, Dean of Students
  • Anthony Westbrook, Research Computing Center
  • Jennifer Lehmann, Educational Excellence & Effectiveness
  • Tracy Birmingham, General Counsel’s Office
  • Victoria Parker, Paul College of Business and Economics
  • Grace Simmons, Student Senate
  • Tricia Boucher, Library
  • Jeremiah Johnson, College of Professional Studies
  • Zvi Rosen, Franklin Pierce School of Law
  • Peg Kirkpatrick, Staff

About 100 additional community members have expressed interest in participating as the work expands. If you are interested in participating or have an idea or issue you’d like discussed, please contact the Task Force co-chairs, Matt MacManes and Ivo Nedyalkov.