The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has been selected to host the 2026 Capital Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) Regional Network Meeting, organized by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). The virtual event will bring together faculty members, administrators and higher education leaders from public and private two- and four-year institutions nationwide to examine how artificial intelligence is transforming teaching and learning.
The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom on April 24, 2026, from 9 am to 4 pm and is open to the public. UVI and AAC&U invite educators and administrators across the country to submit proposals and participate in discussions on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in higher education.
The program will feature a keynote presentation titled “Teaching and Learning in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities for Higher Education,” delivered by Dr. Talitha Washington, professor in the Department of Mathematics and executive director of the Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics at Howard University.
Opening remarks will feature Dr. Lora Bailey, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of the Virgin Islands and Dr. Kelly Mack, AAC&U Vice President for Undergraduate STEM Education and Executive Director of Project Kaleidoscope.
UVI’s selection as host was supported by Dr. Verleen McSween, Associate Professor of biology at UVI, who has been actively involved with the national PKAL network for several years and has previously presented at the conference.
McSween said the meeting’s theme reflects a growing challenge for educators navigating the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into academic environments.
“Artificial Intelligence is transforming how students learn and how faculty teach,” McSween said. “Educators recognize that AI tools are becoming an essential part of the learning landscape, but we are also working to ensure that students continue to develop critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills. The goal is to find the right balance so that AI enhances learning without replacing the intellectual engagement that is central to higher education.”
The AAC&U PKAL Regional Network Meetings are designed to foster collaboration among educators committed to strengthening undergraduate STEM education and advancing innovative teaching practices.
Faculty members, academic leaders and researchers interested in presenting are encouraged to submit proposals highlighting research, classroom practices, institutional strategies or collaborative initiatives related to the meeting’s theme. Participation and proposal submissions are open to individuals from institutions across the United States.
Additional details about proposal submissions and registration are available at:
https://www.aacu.org/event/2026-capital-pkal-meeting-2. For more information, contact Dr. Verleen McSween at verleen.mcsween@uvi.edu.
For media inquiries, email pr@uvi.edu.
About the University of the Virgin Islands
The University of the Virgin Islands is a historically Black, land-grant institution
dedicated to student success, academic excellence and community engagement. With campuses
on St. Thomas and St. Croix as well as online degree and certificate programs, UVI
offers a broad range of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs while serving
as a center for research, innovation and workforce development in the Caribbean.
About the Association of American Colleges and Universities
The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) is a global membership organization dedicated to advancing equity, innovation, and excellence in liberal education. Through initiatives such as Project Kaleidoscope, AAC&U works with institutions nationwide to strengthen undergraduate education and foster inclusive and effective teaching and learning practices.
