Sean Corp, Associate Director of Communications
The Center for Academic Innovation has awarded funding to a range of new non-credit and for-credit online courses, degree program optimization initiatives, and projects integrating digital learning into residential classrooms. These projects will advance life-changing education for University of Michigan students and learners worldwide. The awards were made through the university’s Academic Innovation Fund proposal process, which supports faculty-led innovation in online learning, artificial intelligence, and curriculum design.
The funded projects span disciplines including law, medicine, information science, performing arts, and the sciences. Together, they address topics such as artificial intelligence readiness, climate and health, global health collaboration, concussion care for performing artists, data-informed decision-making, and the integration of Michigan Online content to enhance teaching and learning in residential classes. Each project will receive financial support through the Academic Innovation Fund and in-kind implementation support from the Center for Academic Innovation.
“A Michigan education should be accessible, impactful, and responsive to a changing world,” said James DeVaney, founding executive director of the center and associate vice provost of academic innovation. “These awards support bold ideas that expand learning beyond traditional classrooms and help prepare learners for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Degree Programs
The center is granting awards to two degree program optimization proposals. John Burkhardt, of the Medical School, will work with the center to evaluate opportunities and operational needs to develop new stackable credential pathways into the existing Master of Health Professionals degree program.
Additionally, the center will collaborate on a new project with Caren Stalburg, also of the Medical School, to support the accessibility and optimization of the Health Infrastructures and Learning System online degree program to enhance its sustainability.
Michigan Online Course Integration
The center will also work with a group of faculty across two Michigan campuses to integrate existing open online learning opportunities into residential courses, enhancing curriculum design for instructors.
Eight faculty, including five from UM-Dearborn and three from UM-Ann Arbor, will integrate available online course content on topics including artificial intelligence, data analytics, computer programming, anatomy, and healthcare leadership into their courses.
Faculty receiving funding are Besa Xhabija and Antonios Koumpias, from UM-Dearborn’s College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters; Zheng Song, Cayman Novak, and Xiao Zhang from UM-Dearborn’s College of Engineering & Computer Science; Colleen Van Lent from UM-Ann Arbor’s School of Information; Keith Feldman from UM-Ann Arbor’s Medical School; and Michelle Aebersold and Barb Medvec from UM-Ann Arbor’s School of Nursing.
Non-Credit Online Courses
Eight faculty initiatives are receiving funding from the AIF, which will lead to the development of 15 non-credit online courses. These courses will join more than 300 already available on Michigan Online, created by Michigan faculty from every school and college. The new initiatives will cover topics such as artificial intelligence, global health, leadership, programming, and more. The new initiatives include a new series of non-credit professional certificate programs.
AI Readiness: Personal, Team & Enterprise
Faculty: John Thompson (School of Information)
A three-course series offering practical frameworks for integrating AI at individual, team, and organizational levels. Delivered asynchronously with certificate options, it focuses on responsible, role-specific AI adoption rather than tools alone.
AI Tips & Traps
Faculty: Patrick Barry (Michigan Law)
A three-course, general-purpose AI literacy series focused on writing, research, and collaboration with AI. Offered asynchronously with optional certificate pathways, it fills a broad market need for accessible, concept-driven AI education with opportunities for higher-touch engagement.
Always on Brand: Leading with Purpose in a Connected World
Faculty: Nikki Sunstrum (School of Information)
A leadership and ethics course that integrates brand strategy, digital leadership, and responsible communication. It prepares professionals to navigate AI-driven change, misinformation, and heightened public expectations in always-on environments.
Computer Architecture for Everybody
Faculty: Charles Severance (School of Information)
A plain-language introduction to how computers work, designed for learners without technical backgrounds. By translating hardware concepts through stories and visuals, it bridges the gap between technical computing courses and basic digital literacy.
Concussion in Performing Artists: Care, Recovery & Return
Faculty: Kristen Schuyten (School of Music, Theatre & Dance)
A first-of-its-kind concussion education course tailored to the unique physical and cognitive demands of performing artists. Drawing on Michigan Medicine expertise, it complements a common gap in athlete-focused concussion training.
Data-informed Decision-Making for Everyday Life
Faculty: Stephanie Preston (LSA)
A practical course that builds evidence literacy by teaching learners to evaluate claims, recognize cognitive biases, and navigate misinformation. Its frameworks support everyday decision-making and have potential for organizational and B2B adaptation.
Health in a Changing Climate: A Toolkit for Health Providers
Faculty: Adrienne Lapidos (Medical School)
An asynchronous, CME-oriented course equipping healthcare professionals with practical, science-based guidance on climate-related health impacts. Built for uptake by clinicians across clinical, organizational, and policy contexts.
Nutrition for Health Professionals
Faculty: Dave Bridges (School of Public Health) & Brigid Gregg (Medical School)
A four-course online series designed to equip current and future health professionals with a rigorous, evidence-based foundation in nutrition science and its application to patient care through practical frameworks for interpreting nutrition research, navigating policy guidance, and translating evidence into personalized recommendations.
