2:30 - 2:45 p.m. Break

2:45 - 3:30 p.m. Mastering AI Prompts for Effective Communications

Stan Skrabut will explore the art and science of crafting effective Al prompts to enhance communication strategies and content creation. Attendees will learn the fundamentals of prompt engineering, including how to formulate clear, specific, and context-rich prompts that yield valuable insights and creative outputs from Al tools. We will discuss practical applications in public relations, such as generating press releases, creating social media content, and conducting audience analysis. By analyzing real-world examples, participants will gain hands-on experience in designing prompts that elicit the best responses from Al, ultimately leading to more impactful messaging.

PRESENTER: Dr. Stan Skrabut - Stan Skrabut is the Director of Instructional Technology and Design at Dean College, helping faculty and students weave technology into their teaching and learning. He has over 30 years of experience as an instructional technologist and trainer. He has a doctorate in education through the University of Wyoming. While at UW he was an instructional technology educational specialist for Extension. He is the author of several books including 80 ways to Use ChatGPT in the Classroom and Strategies for Success.

3:30 - 4:00 p.m. Inclusive Design & Gameplay - NMSU Extension

NMSU’s Innovative Media Research and Development group has focused quite a bit on inclusive design, and ways to integrate it meaningfully into their gameplay. In this session, we’ll fight zombies and improve our credit score with their soon-to-be-released web game, “Night of the Living Debt”.

PANEL: Dr. Barbara Chamberlain - Dr. Barbara Chamberlin is the Extension Instructional Design and Educational Media Specialist at New Mexico State University. She directs the NMSU Learning Games Lab, where she conducts research on games preferences and use and tracks trends in computer games for education. She leads research on game development at the lab, and serves as an instructional designer on new educational projects. In addition she submits several grants each year, seeking funding for the development of educational media in many content areas. NMSU recently launched the "Exergames Unlocked" Website, exegamesunlocked.com, a resource to help others use exergames in programs and classrooms.

4:00 - 4:45 p.m. Beyond Automation: AI as a collaborative partner for MarComm Excellence

Explore the top 10 essential ways MarComm professionals can leverage AI to transform workflows and revolutionize productivity to craft compelling content, streamline processes, enhance knowledge transfer, and amplify creativity. We’ll highlight AI’s powerful tools and the critical human touches needed in every AI application. Through hands-on exercises and real-world case studies, you'll gain actionable insights to harness AI for MarComm excellence while stressing the indispensable value of human intelligence and expertise as we navigate this next communications phase together.

PRESENTER: Carrissa Nelson - A Central Illinois native, Carissa Nelson is a College of ACES graduate with a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Illinois and a M.S. in Family & Consumer Sciences from Illinois State University. She has spent the past several years pursuing digital marketing certifications from Google, Facebook, Hootsuite and more.Her favorite thing about working in communications is creating valuable connections between people and information and the exciting new ways AI is streamlining that process.

4:45 - 5:00 p.m. Membership Presentation & Wrap Up and Preview of Day 2

Day 2

1:00 Welcome Back & 2025 Milwaukee Conference Preview

1:10 - 1:40 p.m. Using AI to Create Land Grant Impacts Panel

Impact reporting plays a critical role in demonstrating the success of your institution's initiatives, projects, and programs, ensuring accountability to funders, stakeholders, and other key audiences. We will explore how AI chatbots can streamline the creation of impact reports, transforming your pre-existing content into effective and engaging impact statements. Come prepared with a press release or blog post, or work with one of our samples in this hands-on session.

PRESENTER: Nick Gosling & Kim Scotto - Nick Gosling serves as a Communications Information Specialist at the University of New Hampshire's College of Life Sciences and Agriculture (COLSA) and the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station. Since 2017, he has worked in higher education marketing and communications, focusing on promoting life and agricultural sciences research. Nick enjoys the technical aspects of marketing, including website development, digital metrics, media relations, and outreach. Since 2022, he has incorporated AI content generators into his workflow for creating, editing, and distributing research communications for COLSA. Outside of work, Nick uses them to craft D&D characters for his 10-year-old son, discover new music, and explore creative ways to conduct research.   Kim Scotto is the Communications Manager for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ Office of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources. In this role, she provides support for the Board on Agriculture Assembly’s strategic initiatives, including social media management, graphic design, website management, email marketing, and meeting planning. She also manages the National Land-grant Impacts Database (NIDB). Previously, Kim worked at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) as a school Communications Specialist. Kim earned her bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management from the University of Delaware, and started her career as an environmental educator.

1:40 - 2:10 p.m. Navigating the Future: AI and Regulatory Challenges

This presentation explores the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, and the regulatory frameworks needed to ensure its safe and ethical use. We will discuss current challenges, emerging policies, and the balance between innovation and oversight in a rapidly advancing technological world.

PRESENTER: Cayce Myers - Cayce Myers is a professor of public relations and director of graduate studies at the School of Communication at Virginia Tech. His work focuses on laws, regulations and ethics that affect public relations practice. He is the author of Public Relations History: Theory Practice and Profession and Money in Politics: Campaign Fundraising in the 2020 Presidential Election. He is also the coauthor of the 4th and 5th editions of Mass Communication Law in Virginia and has also published over sixty peer reviewed articles, book chapters, law review articles, and trade press articles about public relations history, public relations strategy, political campaigns, and laws and policies that affect public relations practice.

2:10 - 2:55 p.m. Rules & Regulations Regarding AI 

Are there any? It seems like generative AI has unleashed a new wild west!  Like any other innovation, guidelines are critical for allowing teams to leverage AI while maintaining ethics, integrity and accuracy. We’ll go over resources for finding or establishing guidelines at your unit or institution.

PRESENTERS: Chris Vivian - Chris Vivian leads IFAS Communications at the University of Florida, a strong team of about 40 professionals with specialties in public relations, social media, graphic design, photography and video production. The department also runs the Ask IFAS Extension publication system and the Extension bookstore. UF/IFAS comprises UF's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Florida's Cooperative Extension service and extensive research and education efforts. Prior to joining UF, she led communications at the National Forensic Science Technology Center at FIU, including development of the Global Forensic and Justice Center; and also spent 12 years at the American Heart Association, Florida/Puerto Rico Affiliate. Vivian is an award-winning professional in communications strategy and implementation and video production and excels in developing and leading integrated initiatives.

2:55 - 3:00 p.m. Break

3:00 - 3:45 p.m. AI Tools to Improve Workflow

Unlock new levels of productivity with AI tools designed to enhance and simplify your or your team’s workflows! This session will showcase recommended AI tools tailored for communications, public relations and marketing professionals, with practical advice on how to integrate AI into your daily routine. Discover solutions for content automation and streamlined task management.

PRESENTERS: Cassie Ann Kiggen & Nele Aline Langhof - Cassie Ann Kiggen serves as the Chief Communications Officer for the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (UGA CAES) and UGA Extension. As a member of the executive leadership team, Cassie Ann is responsible for developing strategic communication plans for CAES as well as leading and overseeing the public relations, digital multimedia marketing, and creative content strategies for CAES. She manages an award-winning team of communications professionals who are responsible for translating brand strategy into innovative storytelling opportunities to create optimized experiences for CAES global audiences. Cassie Ann and her team advance the priorities of CAES and UGA Extension through multimedia reputational management campaigns and develop results-oriented communications and media plans that advance the CAES brand. Previously, Cassie Ann was the Director of Communications at the National Venture Capital Association, where she led and managed the Association's strategic communications, public policy communications, brand development and storytelling, multimedia digital and creative content marketing, and media efforts to better support and empower the U.S. venture community, startups and entrepreneurs. - Nele Aline Langhof serves as the Digital Marketing & Social Media Strategist for the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). As the lead marketing and content strategist for CAES, Nele oversees both the long-term and day-to-day marketing plans and social media channels, develops brand content for traditional and digital consumption to increase national and international visibility, and drives reputation-elevating results with strategic advertising campaigns. Previously, she led marketing efforts for a family of Athens-based site development firms.

3:45 - 4:00 p.m.  Sparking creativity: How to “get” it, how to nurture it and how to encourage others to master their own creativity

Creativity is not an asset only practiced by graphic designers, photographers and artists. Everyone can possess a creativity edge and nurture it to bring success and fulfillment to their professional and personal experiences.  So, what is creativity and how does one “get” it? Join this interactive …and creative…session to learn more about this essential skill.

PRESENTER: Ruth Borger - Ruth Hohl Borger, Ed.D., is a communicator with over 40 years’ experience working at higher education institutions and non-profits.  From a communications specialist to strategic leader of communications departments, she has advanced the work of those who are improving our global communities through their research, teaching, and outreach.  Along the way, she has created opportunities for those in the public relations profession as well as advancing organizations committed to serving others.  She holds degrees from the University of Notre Dame, George Washington University and Arizona State University. She recently retired from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and also worked at Michigan State University, Arizona State University and Michigan community colleges. She was recognized as a Fellow of the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) in 2023.

4:00 - 4:45 p.m.  Empowering Extension Through AI

Mark Locklear and David Warren of the Extension Foundation will talk about AI basics, policy issues related to AI in Extension, and the ExtensionBot project. This session will provide valuable insights into how AI can enhance communication strategies within Extension Services.

PRESENTER: David Warren & Mark Locklear - Mark Locklear is a Project Manager and Web Developer at the Extension Foundation and has 20 years of IT experience including network administration, quality assurance, and software development. He is an Adjunct Instructor at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College and is passionate about education and teaching students software development. - David Warren is the Senior Director of Integrated Digital Strategies for the OSU Agriculture Division and also serves as AI Program Leader for the Extension Foundation. In addition, he is an Adjunct Professor in the Spears School of Business graduate-level Business Analytics Program teaching Web and Digital Marketing Analytics. His academic background includes an MBA from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor's in Business Administration and Finance from Northeastern State University.

4:45 - 5:00 p.m. ACE C&A Presentation & Wrap up of Day