On July 23, 2026, the BridgeUSA UPRR team, in collaboration with the Florida State University Ukraine Task Force, organized the second online event in the AI in Higher Education series. The event brought together program alumni and finalists to learn about Florida State University’s approach to AI integration and to begin collaborative work through newly established Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
The event started with welcoming remarks from:
- Nataliia Misiura, Director of Programs, Ukraine
- Ksenia Ivanenko, Higher Education Partnerships and Capacity Program Manager, Field Operations and Programs, Washington, DC
- Vilma Fuentes, Program Director, FSU Ukraine Task Force, Associate in Research, Learning Systems Institute, Florida State University
- Dina Vyortkina, Assistant Dean for Innovation and Instructional Technology Enhancement, FSU Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, Florida State University
During the webinar, Dina Vyortkina presented “AI at FSU,” highlighting Florida State University’s approach to AI adoption, innovation in teaching and learning, and institutional strategies for integrating artificial intelligence into higher education.
The session also introduced the AI Special Interest Groups (SIGs), which will serve as collaborative communities for participants from July through November 2026. Organized around key disciplinary areas, the SIGs will provide a space for participants to explore AI applications, share expertise, and 
develop practical resources within their fields. The seven SIGs focus on agricultural technology, environmental policy and management, engineering, healthcare and mental health, information technology, pedagogy, and urban planning.
During their work in the break-out rooms, participants discussed common interests, challenges, and opportunities related to AI within their disciplines and institutions. They exchanged experiences, identified areas for future collaboration, and began shaping group initiatives and deliverables that will guide the work of their Special Interest Groups in the coming months.
By the end of July, all participants will complete two professional development courses provided by the Digital Education Council: AI Literacy for All (4 hours) and the Certificate in AI for Higher Education (20 hours). These courses will equip participants with a shared foundation in AI literacy and support their engagement in the Special Interest Groups throughout the program. As a key outcome of their work, each SIG will aim to contribute to at least two shared products by the end of the year, such as resource collections, teaching toolkits, workshop or webinar presentations, best-practice guides, or white papers and policy recommendations.
BridgeUSA Ukraine Program for Resilience and Reconstruction (BridgeUSA UPRR) provides a 1-month fellowship for Ukrainian faculty at U.S. higher education institutions for long-term collaboration on joint research, shared pedagogy, course development, and publications. The program is funded by the U.S. Embassy Kyiv with additional support from U.S. host universities.