Colleagues’ College 2026 is a two-day professional development experience designed to equip faculty to engage artificial intelligence thoughtfully, faithfully and effectively within a Christian academic context. Developed by Sarah Gibson, the event is grounded in the theme: “Engaging AI with Purpose: Enhancing Learning While Protecting What Matters Most.” The program positions AI not merely as a technological advancement, but as a formative moment that calls educators to reflect deeply on their vocation, their students and their responsibility as stewards of learning.
I am the lead organizer of Colleagues’ College 2026 (CC2026), working in collaboration with the institutional committee to design and implement this year’s event. In this role, I am responsible for coordinating the program, aligning its academic and faith-based objectives and facilitating the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the broader mission of Christian higher education.
A central component of this year’s initiative is the invitation of AI expert Sarah Gibson, who will guide faculty through a two-day experience focused on the responsible and faithful engagement with AI in teaching and learning.
The structure of the event follows a clear developmental arc: from opportunity, to responsibility, to stewardship, to practice. Participants are guided from understanding to application.
Day 1, titled “Seeing Truthfully,” focuses on developing a clear and balanced understanding of AI. Faculty are encouraged to move beyond both hype and fear, examining where AI genuinely enhances learning and where it may undermine it.
A key insight from Day 1 is that AI fundamentally transforms how knowledge is accessed, shifting from traditional search-based approaches to synthesis and generation. However, it does not eliminate the need for learning; rather, it changes where and how learning occurs. Faculty are challenged to identify critical “formation moments” within their courses, points where struggle, critical thinking and accountability shape students, and to ensure these moments remain protected in an AI-enabled environment.
The program introduces a theological and ethical framework anchored in three guiding principles: protecting what is distinctly human, maintaining truthfulness and exercising faithful stewardship. These principles emphasize that AI is a tool accountable to humans, while humans remain accountable to God. As such, decisions about AI use are framed not only as pedagogical choices but also as moral and spiritual responsibilities.
Day 2, “Acting Faithfully,” builds on this foundation by equipping faculty with practical tools for implementation. Participants are introduced to a decision-making framework centered on three key questions: whether the work reflects the individual’s own thinking, whether AI is being used responsibly and whether its use is communicated with honesty and transparency. These questions guide faculty in determining when AI should be used, when caution is necessary and when it should be avoided.
In addition to conceptual clarity, Day 2 emphasizes hands-on application. Faculty engage in practical exercises such as redesigning assignments, creating AI-supported learning activities and developing feedback processes. The objective is not technical mastery, but the implementation of one meaningful, course-ready change that aligns with both educational effectiveness and Christian values.
A central theme throughout the program is the redefinition of academic integrity as a matter of character rather than compliance. Integrity is understood as wholeness, where students’ work reflects genuine understanding and authentic effort. AI use is not inherently problematic; rather, the concern lies in whether it replaces or supports the student’s intellectual and personal formation. Faculty are therefore encouraged to guide students toward transparent and responsible AI use, fostering both competence and integrity.
Ultimately, Colleagues’ College 2026 aims to form educators who are not only informed about AI but also equipped to lead with wisdom, confidence and faithfulness. Participants leave with a practical decision-making framework, actionable teaching strategies and a renewed sense of vocation. The program reinforces a central conviction: AI does not change the mission of Christian education, but it clarifies it, calling educators to pursue truth, cultivate wisdom and steward both technology and students in ways that honor God and serve others.
