CLEVELAND, Miss. — Faculty and staff from Delta State University recently joined a ChatGPT workshop at Jackson State University. The Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) hosted the event in partnership with the OpenAI Academy. This national initiative equips educators and academic leaders with practical knowledge and skills in artificial intelligence (AI).
Inside the Delta State AI Workshop
The workshop connected Delta State with a growing network of forward-thinking institutions. These institutions also use AI to enhance teaching, research, and administrative practices. During the sessions, attendees took part in hands-on training, expert-led sessions, and collaborative projects. Specifically, these efforts focused on integrating tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT into the university’s academic and operational environments.
“Delta State is committed to preparing both our students and our campus for the future of AI,” said Dr. Heather Miller, director of Sponsored Programs and the Gertrude C. Ford Center for Teaching and Learning. “Participation in this workshop positions our faculty and staff at the forefront of this technological shift, where ethical and effective AI use will be critical to higher education.”
Delta State Leaders on AI
Dr. Leslie Griffin, provost and vice president for academic affairs, emphasized the university’s strategic commitment to innovation.
“Our involvement with MAIN and the OpenAI Academy supports Delta State’s focus on academic excellence,” Griffin said. “This initiative gives our faculty and staff the tools they need to thoughtfully and responsibly integrate AI into their work—benefiting students and enriching the educational experience across campus.”
Delta State’s workshop cohort included faculty and staff from a range of university departments, including instructional design, academics, and administration. In addition, participants are helping develop best practices and policies for responsible AI use in higher education. This work supports Delta State’s mission to cultivate intellectual growth and individual enrichment in service to local, regional, and global communities.
Finally, Delta State will share key takeaways and pilot projects from the MS OpenAI Academy with the broader campus community in fall 2025.
“Delta State’s participation in this workshop reflects exactly what MAIN was designed to achieve: empowering institutions across Mississippi with the tools, training, and partnerships needed to lead in the age of artificial intelligence,” said Dr. Kollin Napier, director of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network. “It’s inspiring to see faculty and staff embracing AI to enhance education, research, and service.”
How the Delta State AI Workshop Connects to MAIN
The Delta State AI workshop reflects MAIN’s statewide mission. Specifically, MAIN equips Mississippi institutions with AI training, tools, and partnerships. As a result, faculty and staff can use AI responsibly in teaching, research, and service. To learn more, explore MAIN’s AI courses, partners, and mission.