Tim Mousel, Kinesiology Professor at Lone Star College-Online and member of the Office of the Chancellor’s Department of Strategic Innovation, was recently invited to attend a prestigious White House Task Force meeting on Artificial Intelligence in Education. The invitation marks national recognition of his leadership in AI integration and his efforts to ensure educators have a voice in shaping AI policy.

Mousel's invitation followed a proposal he submitted to the White House, emphasizing that educators, not just politicians and tech executives, must be central to discussions about AI’s role in education. "No one knows more about the classroom than the educators who are in it every day," Mousel said. "We need to be part of the conversation."

The White House meeting brought together First Lady Melania Trump, senior federal officials and CEOs from leading technology companies including Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, and IBM. Discussions focused on the potential of AI to enhance learning, support workforce development, and expand equitable access to technology. The event also included announcements of new grants for educator and student training, with tech leaders pledging support for AI literacy initiatives.

During the discussions, Mousel highlighted a critical concern about the widening AI skills gap in higher education. He cited research showing that while 97% of hiring managers expect AI literacy, only 20% of college students feel prepared, resulting in a 77% skills preparedness gap. “Students are using AI. Faculty are using AI. It's not going away," he said. "We need to prepare students across all disciplines, not just with one AI course, but by embedding AI into every subject." He emphasized that this interdisciplinary integration will be key to future success, adding. "The integration of every discipline is going to be really powerful."

In addition to his national advocacy, Mousel leads the Lone Star College AI Task Force, a system-wide initiative aimed at advancing AI literacy across all campuses. He has developed a comprehensive AI resource repository and is launching a college-wide training initiative that will serve faculty, students, and the broader community.

The initiative has also gained attention at the state level. Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently issued a letter of support for the Lone Star College AI Task Force, recognizing its significance in preparing students for the future. LSC-Online President, Dr. Carlos Morales praised Mousel’s efforts, stating, "We are very proud of Professor Mousel's national recognition and his efforts to position the college as a leader in AI education innovation. As a campus, we see AI in education as an essential skill and tool for the future."

"It's empowering to see educators being recognized at this level," Mousel said. "We have a responsibility to shape how AI is used in education, and I'm proud to represent Lone Star College in that effort.”