From AI Talk to AI Practice: Tawnya Means on Helping Faculty Actually Use AI

In this episode of The Smarter Campus Podcast, Zach sits down with Tawnya Means, Founding Partner of Inspire Higher Ed, to explore what it really takes to move AI adoption from conversation to classroom practice. As more institutions experiment with generative AI, Tawnya focuses on the real work of helping faculty build confidence, experiment safely, and integrate these tools into teaching and learning.The discussion highlights a growing shift across campuses: educators are no longer just debating AI—they’re asking for hands-on time to try it. Tawnya shares what she’s seeing succeed in workshops and faculty training, from building custom AI assistants to rethinking assignments to identify where human insight matters most.The conversation also explores the psychological barriers faculty face, including fear of replacement, discomfort with unfamiliar tools, and the pressure of teaching technologies they’re still learning themselves. Through practical strategies like peer storytelling, dedicated learning time, and clearly defining what work remains uniquely human, Tawnya offers a thoughtful roadmap for institutions navigating AI implementation in higher education.