TWU taps researcher/educator to fill inaugural AI post

June 9, 2025 ― DENTON ― Texas Woman’s University has tapped a veteran educator with a deep background in research and science to become the university’s inaugural chief artificial intelligence (AI) strategist.

Jace Hargis, who most recently worked as an AI researcher and consultant in higher education, begins his new role at TWU on July 1.

“Dr. Hargis brings to the position a unique blend of expertise in evidence-based teaching practices, assessment of student learning and the use of AI to enhance both,” said Angela Bauer, TWU’s executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Likewise, his leadership experience across academic and operational areas gives him a broad perspective on how AI can be used to improve and streamline university processes. I anticipate that Dr. Hargis will be an invaluable resource for our faculty, staff and leadership.”

Hargis has an extensive background in AI research, particularly as it applies to supporting faculty and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). He has published more than 150 scholarly articles on integrating emerging technologies and has demonstrated how to apply studies of teaching and learning with the kind of rigor that indicates sound evidence of effective practices.

His extensive international experience, familiarity with curriculum and teaching challenges at public institutions, command of teaching technologies and work with the science of pedagogy position him well to help TWU advance its growing research agenda.

In his role at Texas Woman’s, Hargis will focus on institution-wide AI strategy and implementation. He is responsible for envisioning and executing initiatives that leverage AI to advance teaching, research and administrative operations.

Hargis also is tasked with facilitating collaboration across academic and administrative units, building partnerships with external organizations and ensuring ethical and effective uses of AI technologies across the university.

Among his previous posts, Hargis served as associate vice president of academics and professor at the University of Doha Science and Technology in Qatar; vice president for curriculum and faculty development and professor at Kean University in New Jersey; and as founding director for teaching & learning centers at NYU Shanghai in China, University of California, San Diego, Chaminade University in Hawaii, and at the University of the Pacific in California.

Hargis earned a PhD in curriculum and instruction with a focus on science education at the University of Florida, a master’s degree in environmental engineering sciences, also at the University of Florida, and a bachelor’s degree in oceanography at the Florida Institute of Technology.

Page last updated 10:49 AM, June 9, 2025