LC to Host Student-Led Discussion on AI in Education

GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College will host a discussion on the impact of artificial intelligence on education at 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, on the Godfrey Campus.

Hosted by LC President Ken Trzaska and the President's Student Advisory Council, the event will feature a joint student and faculty panel promoting open dialog on campus around AI and its involvement with teaching and learning.

"The idea is to have both sides of the coin represented - those pro- and perhaps weary of AI and its role in education and beyond," Trzaska said.

Lewis and Clark has an AI policy in place, but the implications and best practices for using it as a tool in teaching and learning are always evolving.

"AI is already part of our everyday lives," Trzaska said. "As we continue to grow and evolve as a college, AI will be part of that journey. How we use AI as a tool for success will become increasingly important - especially as it relates to ethics and the integrity of its use."

Jim Eck, the college's 2025-2026 student trustee, said the panel will feature faculty and students sharing their thoughts and experiences, but community members are encouraged to participate in the event and share their perspectives as well.

"The key to building effective use of any new tool is understanding its power, limitations, and risks. This discussion leads us on that path of understanding," Eck said. "There is no debate that AI will influence - already is influencing - the education and employment environments. As a community college, we need to adapt our techniques for studying and teaching so that we harness the power of AI to enhance our experiences, knowledge, and expertise. As our students enter the workforce, having skills to be able to deploy AI to create value and solutions will be a differentiator."

Student panelists will include Julia Janus, Wrigley Releford, Roland Gonzalez, Ethan Micklevitz, and faculty panelists will include Mumba Mumba, David F Ollenbittle, Francis Corby, and Christina Wickenhauser.

Council member Jacob Wicker will host the event and moderate the panels alongside fellow member Lashod Robinson.

This student-led event is free and open to the public and will run about an hour in the Ahlemeyer Atrium (TR 141), with an online option on Zoom.

Refreshments will be available for those attending in person. The Zoom Meeting ID is 838 5993 8975, Passcode: 263185.