AI‐Driven Faculty Development in an Embedded Community College Model: Balancing Tradition, Innovation, and Inclusivity at UDC

ABSTRACT This reflective analysis examines faculty development challenges and opportunities at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), a public HBCU and the only urban land‐grant institution in the United States. As UDC advances a unified “One UDC” vision, the institution is repositioning itself as a flagship university while integrating instruction across multiple locations, including its embedded community college (UDC‐CC), where nearly half of the student population is enrolled. This institutional structure necessitates a coordinated approach to faculty development that supports equity, instructional consistency, and student success across campuses. Drawing on practice‐informed initiatives, the paper describes how AI‐infused faculty development, including live, performative demonstrations using VerseBot, a custom instructional AI persona built on ChatGPT, addresses faculty concerns related to teaching effectiveness, student engagement, academic integrity, and resource disparities. Embedding AI literacy and ethical guidance within first‐year coursework, alongside structured professional development such as Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) certification, positions AI as a supportive instructional resource rather than a substitute for pedagogy. By situating AI integration within a layered faculty development model that combines policy alignment, culturally responsive practice, and hands‐on experimentation, this paper offers transferable insights for urban‐serving universities and community colleges seeking to leverage emerging technologies while upholding commitments to access, equity, and academic rigor.