Something exciting is taking shape at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. A new online AI Essentials: Strategies for Efficiency & Productivity certificate was recently introduced and will be followed by a new artificial intelligence (AI) minor enrolling for Fall 2026 – one designed to be practical, hands-on and deeply connected to the real-world skills students need for a rapidly changing workforce.

Grounded in the university’s strong computer science foundation, the program reflects UW-Superior’s commitment to timely, meaningful education.

“Employers today in our region expect graduates to be conversant and competent in working with AI integrations across many sectors,” said Maria Cuzzo, provost and vice chancellor of Academic Affairs. “By offering both an AI minor through our Mathematics and Computer Science Department and a certificate through the Center for Continuing Education, UW-Superior ensures our graduates are competitive, capable, and confident in AI literacy – making them prime candidates for employment.”

Built by Passion, Powered by Math

At the heart of the new program is Josh Stangle, associate professor and academic program manager in the Mathematics and Computer Science Department, who has helped shape the curriculum from the ground up.

“AI is just math at high speed,” Stangle said.

For him, the appeal goes beyond technical innovation. It’s about student engagement.

“It’s really fun to work with students on something they find exciting and relevant,” Stangle said. “That energy makes everything better.”

Learning by Doing

Housed in the Mathematics and Computer Science Department, the AI minor emphasizes experiential learning. Students will explore how computers learn from data, recognize patterns, make predictions, and even play games.

Rather than passively absorbing information, students will work on hands-on projects – training computers to play Connect Four, experimenting with image recognition, and exploring smart devices that mirror real-world applications.

“The AI minor focuses on developing a wide range of AI literacy and practice competencies, so graduates are job-ready,” said Cuzzo. “Together with the certificate, it creates a powerful opportunity for students and community members to understand how AI works and how to use it responsibly.”

AI Skills for Today’s Workforce

Complementing the minor is the online AI Essentials: Strategies for Efficiency & Productivity certificate, designed for learners seeking non-technical, practical AI skills.

The certificate can be completed for academic credit – through IDS 499 for three undergraduate credits – or on a non-credit basis. It is also open to the public for those seeking professional development. Through interactive Zoom-based workshops and assignments, participants explore core AI concepts, commonly used tools, ethical and legal considerations, and strategies for improving productivity with AI.

The program teaches how to design, test and refine prompts and workflows to achieve accurate, ethical and context-appropriate results. In addition, participants will build the skills to evaluate important ethical, legal and social considerations – such as bias, equity, privacy and accountability – and develop a personalized AI strategy that integrates useful tools into professional or organizational workflow for greater efficiency and adaptability.

By completing the certificate, individuals will gain a clear understanding of how artificial intelligence works, including its main types and everyday applications at home and in the workplace. Students and community members will learn to use AI effectively as an assistant, partner and co-intelligence tool to boost productivity and support better problem-solving.

A UW-Superior Success Story

Although UW-Superior did not offer AI-specific courses at the time, May 2025 graduate Andrew Laack applied his computer science degree to become a machine learning (AI) engineer.

Raised in Waunakee, Wisconsin, Laack chose UW-Superior because it was the only in-state institution offering a fully online comprehensive computer science program – a necessity, as he worked full time throughout his studies as lead software developer for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

Since graduating, Laack has moved to San Francisco and now works at Imbue as a machine learning engineer and researcher.

“I work on systems that validate the completeness and quality of LLM-generated code,” he explained. “More broadly, the company is building an accessible interface for coordinating AI agents and making coding more approachable for people with limited experience.”

Professor Steve Rosenberg, who taught Laack in two courses, praised his drive.

“Andrew dug deeply into the material, attended live Zoom sessions and office hours, and asked incisive questions,” Rosenberg said. “He explored his passion for AI and machine learning both in coursework and on the job. Imbue was so impressed that after speaking with his references, they made him an offer immediately.”

Small College, Big Vision

Designing the AI curriculum has been a thoughtful and collaborative effort in which the university has embraced flexibility and creativity

“We want to teach students how to learn,” said Stangle. “If they know how to think through problems, they’ll be ready for anything.”

Looking Ahead

A special topics course in machine learning was piloted last fall, offering a preview of what’s to come. While the AI minor is set to officially launch in Fall 2026, students graduating sooner can explore the material through independent projects.

UW-Superior also plans to reinforce AI interdisciplinary with learning outcomes being in many of the university’s programs.

“Our faculty are examining how AI is transforming jobs within their disciplines,” said Cuzzo. “From journalism and art to psychology and science, students will see how AI is being used in their future professions and gain applied experience before they graduate.”

Future coursework includes Introduction to Python – one of AI’s foundational programming languages – as well as projects using both existing AI tools and student-built solutions. Plans also include hands-on work with devices like Raspberry Pi computers to demonstrate how AI powers everyday technologies such as home security systems and voice assistants.

Ultimately, the goal is balance.

“We’re not trying to create the next ChatGPT,” Stangle said. “We’re helping students use these tools ethically, creatively, and meaningfully – combining technical skills with problem-solving that matters.”