Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Pi Epsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at the Jackson County Campus has been recognized nationally for its student-led initiative promoting responsible artificial intelligence use in higher education.

The chapter’s project, “AI & You: The Responsible AI Use in Higher Education,” was selected for publication in the sixth edition of Change Makers: Phi Theta Kappa Journal of Student Leadership. Only 16 projects were featured from more than 450 chapter submissions across Phi Theta Kappa’s global membership.

Published annually by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Change Makers recognizes outstanding College Projects that demonstrate student leadership, collaboration with college administrators and meaningful contributions to campus communities.

“This national recognition reflects the outstanding leadership and initiative of our students at the Jackson County Campus,” said Dr. Cedric Bradley, vice president of the Jackson County Campus. “Their work demonstrates how students can take an active role in shaping the educational experience, addressing emerging challenges and contributing to a culture of innovation and excellence.”

Pi Epsilon developed its project in response to questions and uncertainty among students and faculty about the appropriate use of artificial intelligence in academic settings. After receiving training from the director of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network, chapter officers organized three campus-wide AI literacy sessions featuring faculty experts.

The sessions addressed effective prompt writing, professional applications of AI and ethical guidelines for its use in higher education. A total of 95 students, faculty and administrators participated, giving the sessions an average evaluation score of 4.77 out of 5.

Faculty reported that the initiative helped clarify expectations for students’ use of AI, while college administrators requested that the chapter continue offering the sessions during the spring 2026 semester.

“These students recognized an important need on our campus and took the initiative to address it in a meaningful way,” said Karen Scott, Pi Epsilon chapter adviser. “They worked with faculty and college leadership to create opportunities for learning and discussion about a technology that is changing higher education. Having their work recognized nationally is a wonderful reflection of their leadership, commitment and dedication to serving our college community.”

The recognition highlights MGCCC’s commitment to developing student leaders while preparing students to navigate emerging technologies responsibly and effectively.

The chapter’s project is featured in the Change Makers 2026 Edition, available at https://www.ptk.org/benefits/campus-involvement/publications/changemakers/.