The Chancellor's Artificial Intelligence Task Force (AITF) is a cross-divisional team committed to assessing the evolving role of AI in teaching, research, service and administrative operations at Appalachian State University.

Chaired by Chief Information Officer Keith Werner, the AITF will develop strategic guidance and recommendations for the responsible use of AI across campus while enhancing safeguards for institutional security and individual privacy.

Missions & Objectives

AI Champion Representatives

Voting membership in the AITF will consist of an AI Champion from each of the Appalachian State University divisions or units:

Academic Affairs

  • Research
  • IRAP

Enrollment Management

Staff & Administration

  • Athletics
  • Emergency Management
  • Finance and Operations
    • Facilities
  • General Counsel
    • Enterprise Risk Manager
    • Internal Audit
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology
    • Information Security
    • IT Change Manager
  • Public Safety
  • University Advancement
  • University Communications

Student Affairs

  • Campus Services

The Chief Information Officer serves as the Chair of the AITF. Existing AI advisory groups, notably the Provost's AI Task Force, are actively engaged in investigating the responsible use of AI. Academic Affairs also currently has AI advisory groups for respective divisions. These, and other advisory groups as they are developed, will inform the AITF.

AITF Champions
  • Stephen Ayscue – Continuity & Resiliency Coordinator, EHSE
  • Kristen Bonatz, General Counsel and Director of Institutional Integrity, Office of General Counsel
  • Mark Bradbury, Vice Provost for Academic Programming and Planning, Academic Affairs
  • Ellen Burnette – Organizational Change Manager, ITS
  • Gabe Casale – Assistant Vice Provost for Research & Innovation, ORI
  • Erika Cheung – Senior Associate Athletics Director, SWA
  • Jacob Crabtree – Master Police Officer (Alternate: Sergeant Lori Miller), APD
  • Colleen Deal – Executive Director of Advancement Services, University Advancement
  • Michael Friese – AI & Data Governance Business Analyst, ITS
  • Donna Gallo – Deputy Chief Communications Officer, UComm
  • Kristi Gragg – Interim Chief Audit Officer and Internal Audit Manager, IA
  • David Jamison – Associate Vice Chancellor, University Controller
  • Michelle Johnson – HRIS Administrator, HR
  • Vicky Klima – Interim Dean, Honors College
  • Randall Reed, Chair of Campus Technology Committee, Faculty Senate
  • Rick Sears – Interim Executive Director, IRAP
  • Alex Simpson - Director for Hickory Library and Information Commons, University Libraries
  • Elle Smith – Knowledge Management Specialist, ITS
  • Julie Taubman – Director, Project Management Office, ITS
  • Tom Van Gilder – Deputy CIO and Chief Operating Officer, ITS
  • Alicia Vest – Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct
  • Jim Webb – Deputy CIO/Chief Information Security Officer, ITS
  • Nate Weigl – Senior Director of Admissions, EM
  • Keith Werner – Chief Information Officer, ITS
App State AI Governance Chart
AI Governance at App State includes representation from four divisions across campus: Academic Affairs; Staff and Administration; Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. These areas have AI Champion representatives and have involvement in the Chancellor-formed AITF - AI Task Force that is led by the CIO - Chief Information Officer with dotted lines to governing bodies - the ITS Risk Review Board, Institutional Data Governance and the Chancellor's cabinet.