Roundtable Explores AI, Future of Higher Education In West Virginia

How artificial intelligence and changes in the workforce are shaping higher education was the focus on a panel discussion Thursday at Marshall University.

The roundtable brought together instructors, faculty and students to talk about the value of higher education and how colleges can adapt to new technologies.

State Vice Chancellor Emeritus of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Corley Dennison led the conversation, explaining how automation and other advances are reshaping the nation’s workforce. He said millions of workers nationwide will soon need retraining to keep up with AI-driven industries and that higher education must adapt.

“What higher education needs to do is make sure that educational opportunities are accessible to all their students, that there’s support financially for them, so they be able to attain what they want, and that the goals are attainable,” Dennison said.

Dennison said one way colleges can expand access is through microcredentials, which are short-term, skill-based programs that let students train for specific jobs without completing a full four-year degree.

“Consequently, you’re going to see more and more shorter programs being offered by the institutions,” Dennison said. He added that microcredentials could become especially valuable in West Virginia, where affordability and workforce readiness are major concerns.

Marshall and West Virginia University are among the institutions already offering microcredential programs in areas like technology, business, education and healthcare.

The conversation also turned to how AI will shape the curriculum offered to students in the future.

Stephanie Walker, an English instructor at Marshall, said AI, if used ethically, could help bridge the gap for West Virginians by expanding access to learning tools and reshaping classrooms.

“In some ways, curriculum is going to change organically because AI is just going to be second nature in our lives,” Walker said.

She also emphasized the need to change how people view higher education, specifically in the Mountain State.

“We need to teach West Virginians how to take more pride in the education,” Walker said. “It’s not just for the elite.”

Dennison closed the discussion by noting that Marshall and other state universities are in a good position to lead by example, helping students and educators adapt to a future where technology and education are more connected than ever.

For more details on the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, click here.

This report was produced thanks to a partnership between Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications and West Virginia Public Broadcasting.