AI Steering Committee and Working Groups
Update August 2026
As a result of the dedicated work of the AI Steering Committee and its five Working Groups, USD developed a comprehensive set of strategic initiatives addressing AI’s impact across these key areas. Together, the initiatives provide a coordinated framework for advancing the responsible, ethical, and mission-aligned integration of AI throughout the university.
USD’s AI Steering Committee (AISC) serves as the central body responsible for coordinating USD’s strategic direction on AI. Acting as the principal advisory body to the Provost, the Committee is responsible for establishing an AI strategy that is deeply rooted in our mission, values, and Catholic Intellectual Tradition. The AISC is led by Co-Chairs Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives Nicholas Santilli and Associate Provost Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick.
The AISC is comprised of leaders from across our community:
- Co-Chair: Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick – Associate Provost for Academic Strategy and Growth, Office of the Provost
Co-Chair: Nicholas Santilli – Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Office of the Provost - Saturino Garcia, Associate Professor, Computer Science
- Johannes Grey, Associate Director, Human Resources
- Elazar Harel, Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services
- Charlotte Johnson, Vice President, Student Affairs
- Michael Lovette-Colyer, Vice President, Mission Integration
- Megan Mazza, General Counsel
- Noelle Norton, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
- Darby Vickers, Assistant Professor, Philosophy
Recognizing that AI affects different areas of our community in distinct ways, the AISC will oversee five key Working Groups, each led by an AISC-appointed chair and tasked with reviewing best practices and recommending promising policies within a defined scope. Each group will provide concise monthly updates to the Steering Committee.
- Advancing Teaching & Learning at USD
- Research & Scholarship at USD
- Data, Administration, and Operational Excellence at USD
- The Human Experience through USD’s Catholic Intellectual Tradition
- Shaping the Student Experience at USD
AI Steering Committee and Working Groups Charge
The AI Steering Committee (AISC) serves as USD’s central coordinating and advisory body for advancing the responsible and ethical integration of AI in alignment with the university’s mission and Lighting the Way to 2030. The committee will assess USD’s existing AI resources, initiatives, policies, systems, and risks; consult broadly with faculty, staff, students, academic leaders, and university administrators; and recommend institution-wide policies, programs, priorities, and investments to the Provost and President.
Five Working Groups will support this charge across Teaching and Learning; Research and Scholarship; Data, Administration, and Operational Excellence; Human Experience and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition; and the Student Experience. Each group will examine best practices, engage relevant stakeholders, and provide focused recommendations within its area. Together, the committee and Working Groups will develop a coherent institutional AI strategy that reflects USD’s values and addresses the opportunities and challenges AI presents across the university.
Co-Leads
- Nicholas Santilli – Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Office of the Provost
- Noelle Norton – Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Members
- Viviana Alexandrowicz – Associate Professor, School of Leadership and Education Sciences
- Carrie Fry – Health Sciences Librarian, Copley Library
- Eleanor Gillette – Associate Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
- Ashley Kovacs – Senior Director, Learning Design Center
- Judith Lihosit – Law Librarian, Law School
- Sr. Juliet Mousseau – Vice President for Academic Affairs, Franciscan School of Theology
- Jennifer Olsen – Professor, Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering
- Tara Ceranic Salinas – Professor of Business Ethics, Knauss School of Business
- Dan Tigard – Assistant Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
- Rebekah Wanic – Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
- Nicole Whitner – Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, Student Affairs
Co-Leads
- Saturnino Garcia – Associate Professor, Computer Science
- Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick – Associate Provost, Office of the Provost
Members
- Sophia Baik – Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
- Peter Iovine – Professor, Visual Arts
- Daniel Lin – Associate Professor, Knauss School of Business
- Brad Melekian – Associate Professor, Psychological Sciences
- Traci Merrill – Executive Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
- Jennifer Olsen – Professor, Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering
Co-Leads
- Charlotte Johnson – Vice President, Student Affairs
- Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick – Associate Provost, Office of the Provost
Members
- Julio Brionez – Director, Counseling Center
- Margaret Daley – Professor, Biology
- Ramiro Frausto – Executive Director, College Access, Success and Postsecondary Initiatives
- Emily Keehn – Director of Student Affairs, School of Law
- Matt Vega – Associate Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
- Matt Yepez – Executive Director, Career Development Center
- Bryce Young – Vice President and General Counsel, Office of General Counsel
Reflecting on the interplay between AI and USD’s enduring commitments to human dignity and the common good. Learn more here.
Co-Leads
- Michael Lovette-Colyer – Vice President, Mission Integration
- Darby Vickers – Assistant Professor, Philosophy
Members
- Susan Babka – Professor, Theology and Religious Studies
- Jessica Fernandez De La O – Executive Director, Mulvaney Center for Community, Awareness and Social Action
- Mary Hotz – Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
- Susan Lord – Professor, Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering
- Susannah Stern – Professor, Communication Studies
- Kevin Tajii – Vice President for Student Affairs, Student Affairs
- Adriana Vamosiu – Professor of Finance, Knauss School of Business
Ensuring ethical, legal, and secure administrative use of AI.
Co-Chairs
- Elazar Harel – Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services
- Megan Mazza – General Counsel, Office of General Counsel
- Johannes Grey – Associate Director, Human Resources
Members
- Branda Cook – Learning and Development Manager, Human Resources
- Ainsley Elliot – Sponsored Programs Coordinator, Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)
- Philip Garland – Associate Vice President, Advancement
- Steven Heath – Director, Finance
- Steffanie Hoie – Senior Director, Information Technology Services
- Margaret Leary – Assistant Provost, Institutional Research and Effectiveness
- Tim Novara – Vice President for Student Affairs, Student Affairs
- Matt Zwolinski – Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
- Bryce Young – Associate General Counsel, Office of General Counsel