Fulton Schools of Engineering Education Seminars (SEEdS) – AI Mentors as Instructional Infrastructure: Supporting Teaching and Learning at Scale

Date:
Time:
-
Calendar:
LTH Upcoming Events

Fulton Schools of Engineering Educational Seminars (SEEdS)

AI Mentors as Instructional Infrastructure: Supporting Teaching and Learning at Scale

Guest Speaker: Dr. Steve Salik 

Date: February 20, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00pm MST

Zoom Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/83616879155?pwd=ljW0lehGZ0aubusn1cYmkhPIq0GOvi.1
Password: 361877

Seminar Description: As enrollments grow and courses become more complex, faculty are increasingly asked to support learners with diverse prior knowledge, pacing needs, confidence levels, and executive function limitations. This seminar introduces AI mentors as intentionally designed, role-based instructional supports that extend teaching presence without replacing faculty judgment or increasing workload. Drawing on practical design patterns, the session explores how AI mentors can reduce instructional friction, support the work of learning beyond content, and provide consistent, course-aligned guidance at scale. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own instructional contexts and consider where AI mentors might function as effective instructional infrastructure rather than standalone tools.

Dr. Steve Salik is a Clinical Associate Professor of Learning Design and Technologies in the Mary Lou Fulton College of Teaching and Learning Innovation at Arizona State University. His work focuses on designing effective online and blended learning experiences, with current research exploring how generative AI and emerging technologies can enhance instructor presence, student support, feedback, and communication to improve learner engagement and success. He earned an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from ASU.

Dr. Salik serves as Program Coordinator for the Learning Design and Technologies M.Ed. and Certificate programs, where he emphasizes instructional quality, evidence-based design, and innovative, performance-focused learning experiences. He also coordinates the Mastercard Foundation e-Learning Scholars Program, building instructional design capacity across partner institutions, primarily in Africa. Previously, he served as Director of Online Academic Services at ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business, where he helped architect the Online MBA program. His experience also includes faculty roles and advisory work with organizations such as Blackboard, TechSmith, and Ensightful.

 

More about Fulton Schools of Engineering Education Seminars (SEEdS)
The Learning and Teaching Hub hosts monthly guest speaker seminars that bring the community together to learn about and discuss topics related to Engineering Education. The seminars are open to anyone interested in the FSE community.

Third Fridays | 12pm-1pm MST | via Zoom