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<p>Dear Chancellor Hu, <br> <br></p>
<p>I hope you are enjoying the energy of fall as student activities, athletics, and academic routines take shape.</p>
<p>Last week in our newsletter, USU launched a <a href="http://go.aplu.org/NjAzLVVSVy0xMjcAAAGk2n1327RA3wbiUj1JRb6Z5EhYzyl992-23CKrL7LxmEu921N9-erCoSp6FD5ty-ovEmbMaq8=" id="m_2487746734966318000m_8023512077996227070m_-3381677505395370028" target="_blank">call for proposals</a> seeking thought leaders and innovators with a history of success in community-based learning (CBL) to explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to scale and scope CBL. As I'm sure you know, traditional internships have long been the standard for career readiness, but overwhelming demand for experiential career preparation has created a need for scalable new approaches. To meet this moment, USU is leading a project to highlight and scale career-focused CBL enhanced by AI. This initiative is a first step in a larger agenda of research and practice to explore how AI can expand workforce readiness for a wider range of students by extending CBL opportunities across diverse academic disciplines, departments, and majors.</p>
<p>Given your institution's strong presence in your local community, demonstrated commitment to career preparation, and innovative faculty culture, it seems likely that these initiatives are already happening on your campus. Your institution's innovative practices can serve as a model for other urban-serving research universities, and <strong>I am personally inviting your institution to submit a case study proposal.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Up to ten case study proposals will be accepted and awarded a $3,500 honorarium to contribute to a case study collection, participate in a year-long working group, and receive priority for any future opportunities to fund CBL projects that use AI</strong> as a tool to enrich and expand impact. Full proposal details, including submission instructions, can be found in the <a href="http://go.aplu.org/NjAzLVVSVy0xMjcAAAGk2n1327RA3wbiUj1JRb6Z5EhYzyl992-23CKrL7LxmEu921N9-erCoSp6FD5ty-ovEmbMaq8=" id="m_2487746734966318000m_8023512077996227070m_-3381677505395370028" target="_blank">call for proposals</a>. <strong>USU is accepting case studies through December 15, 2026.</strong> </p>
<p><strong>We encourage you, and any interested faculty or campus leadership, to <a href="http://go.aplu.org/NjAzLVVSVy0xMjcAAAGk2n1325yxpUiYy91Oi54ke8SW6J49fxz1DNHtB4IBiApcAPAK_IpvpQQD4lPDzEAyg31_S9U=" id="m_2487746734966318000m_8023512077996227070m_-3381677505395370028" target="_blank">register for</a> and attend our informational webinar on Tuesday, October 27 at 3:00pm ET.</strong> I will be hosting the webinar and welcome the opportunity to share more details, answer your questions, and discuss your institution's interest in submitting a case study proposal. If you cannot attend, we will be recording the session. In the meantime, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me or our project manager, Jenna Seabold at <span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="mailto:usuprojectmanager@aplu.org" target="_blank">usuprojectmanager@aplu.org</a>.</span></p>
<p>I hope to see you at the APLU Annual Meeting this November. If not, let's catch up soon.</p>
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Best,
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<span style="color:#0b3745"><strong>Jennifer R. Keup, Ph.D.</strong> <em>(she/her/hers)</em></span>
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<span style="color:#000000"><strong>Executive Director</strong>, <em>Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU)</em></span>
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<strong>Vice President of Urban Initiatives</strong>,
<em>Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU)</em>
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