LU earns Blackboard Catalyst Award for Ethical AI Leadership

Lamar University (LU) received the 2026 Blackboard Catalyst Award for Ethical AI Leadership, recognizing the university's commitment to integrating artificial intelligence responsibly across academics, technology, cybersecurity and institutional governance.

Presented annually by Blackboard, the Catalyst Awards recognize colleges and universities that demonstrate innovation and excellence in teaching, learning and educational technology. The Ethical AI Leadership Award honors institutions that implement artificial intelligence in ways that prioritize ethical decision-making, academic integrity and student success.

LU earned the recognition for its AI in Every Program initiative, an institution-wide effort designed to help every academic program examine how artificial intelligence is transforming its discipline and thoughtfully integrate AI-related competencies into curriculum and course design.

"We are honored to receive the 2026 Blackboard Catalyst Award for Ethical AI Leadership," Ashley Dockens, associate provost of academic innovation and digital learning said. "This recognition affirms Lamar University's commitment to approaching artificial intelligence not simply as a new technology to adopt, but as an institutional responsibility that requires thoughtful academic leadership, cybersecurity, compliance, faculty development and instructional quality."

The initiative is supported by LU's Division of Innovation, Responsible Ethics, and CyberTech, which brings together academic planning, technology security, risk assessment, data governance and responsible AI implementation to ensure these considerations are embedded throughout the university's work.

"Through the AI in Every Program initiative, we are creating a structured pathway for every academic program to examine how AI is reshaping its discipline, determine what graduates will need to know and be able to do, and thoughtfully integrate those expectations into curriculum and course design," Dockens said. "The creation of the Division of Innovation, Responsible Ethics, and CyberTech has allowed us to connect this academic work with technology security, risk assessment, data governance and responsible implementation from the beginning rather than treating those considerations as an afterthought."

Rather than treating artificial intelligence as a standalone technology initiative, AI in Every Program encourages faculty across disciplines to evaluate how AI is changing their professions and prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate an evolving workforce.

Dockens said the award reflects a collaborative effort across multiple university departments.

"This award reflects the collective work of colleagues across University Innovation, the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, and now also Information Technology," she said. "Together, we are building an approach that supports faculty, protects students and the institution, and prepares Lamar graduates to engage with AI critically, responsibly and effectively in their future professions. We look forward to continuing this work as AI in Every Program expands across the university and moves into deeper curriculum integration, faculty development, course quality review and ongoing evaluation."

The Blackboard Catalyst Awards recognize institutions around the world that are advancing student success through innovative and effective uses of educational technology. Lamar University's recognition reflects its ongoing commitment to preparing graduates to use emerging technologies ethically and responsibly while maintaining high standards of academic quality and institutional stewardship.