Robbie Melton Appointed Founding Member of Center for Digital Education’s AI Council

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) — Dr. Robbie Melton, a leading authority in artificial intelligence and higher education, has been appointed a founding member of the Center for Digital Education’s Higher Education AI Council. Recognized as one of the 2025 Leading Women in AI, Melton serves as the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, as well as the vice president for Technology Innovations at Tennessee State University. She also heads the TSU SMART Global Technology Innovation Center, a renowned hub for advancing AI research and applications in education.

Dr. Robbie Melton

In a congratulatory letter, Brian Cohen, vice president of the CDE, commended Melton’s contributions and emphasized the council’s role in shaping how higher education integrates artificial intelligence across various dimensions such as teaching, research, administration, and institutional strategies. “Your involvement presents a distinctive chance to collaborate and provide critical insights into the AI landscape,” Cohen stated.

The Higher Education AI Council is designed to serve as an essential platform for exchanging ideas and formulating strategies that will help institutions effectively navigate the rapidly evolving AI environment in an ethical manner, according to the CDE.

“I am honored to be a part of this esteemed group dedicated to transforming education through AI,” Melton said, highlighting TSU’s global influence in the field. She noted that, as part of the SMART AI for All Applied Research Center, which is recognized internationally for its excellence in AI applications in education, the center has trained over 10,000 faculty, staff, students, and community members across more than 32 countries.

She said the center serves as a testing ground for innovative AI tools and technologies, ensuring that TSU remains at the cutting edge of technological progress. “We are committed to enhancing AI literacy, refining institutional strategies, and advocating for the ethical and practical adoption of AI in education,” Melton noted. “Our mission is to empower all learners. With a global team of AI Educational Super Users, we aim to improve learning experiences and strengthen communities worldwide.”

As Dr. Melton takes on this new role within the Higher Education AI Council, her appointment adds to an already impressive array of accolades. Earlier this year, she was recognized among over 200 distinguished women at The AI SHOW @ ASU+GSV for her impactful work in advancing AI within educational technology and research. She is also a member of the Southern Regional Education Board Commission on Artificial Intelligence in Education.

For further details on TSU’s SMART Center, visit TSU SMART Center.

Featured photo: Dr. Robbie Melton, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, was recognized among over 200 distinguished women for their work in advancing AI within educational technology and research. (Photo by Aaron Grayson/TSU)

About Tennessee State University

Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.