A new, schoolwide initiative builds on existing momentum to coordinate teaching, research and operations around artificial intelligence.
February 11, 2026
The TCU Neeley School of Business is launching Neeley AI Forward, a business-focused initiative designed to coordinate, support and advance how artificial intelligence is integrated across the school’s teaching, research and operations.
As AI continues to reshape how organizations make decisions, compete and grow, business schools face increasing responsibility to prepare graduates for an AI-enabled workplace without reducing AI to a single course, tool or one-time training. Neeley AI Forward responds to that challenge by aligning efforts already underway and establishing a shared, ongoing strategic approach to AI across the Neeley experience.
“Neeley AI Forward reflects both the momentum we’re already seeing at Neeley and the opportunity ahead of us,” said the Neeley School of Business John V. Roach Dean Craig Crossland. “Our goal is to move beyond isolated efforts and ensure we’re approaching AI in a coordinated, thoughtful and practical way that benefits our students, faculty and broader community.”
The initiative aligns with Texas Christian University’s recently announced AI² enterprise, which provides a university-wide framework for advancing artificial intelligence through shared infrastructure and interdisciplinary research.
Leadership grounded in scholarship and practice
The initiative is led by Will Drover, who also serves as advisor to the dean for AI and digital innovation and is chair for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department. During the Fall 2025 semester, Drover led a cross-college AI task force that assessed Neeley’s current offerings, benchmarked peer and aspirant business schools, and identified opportunities for growth and meaningful AI integration.
A central finding from that work was that AI is already being used in many innovative ways across Neeley, and the purpose of Neeley AI Forward is to build on that momentum by bringing greater coordination, shared learning and strategic direction, positioning the school to lead in business education in the AI era.
AI already at work across Neeley
Faculty, staff, administrators and students are using AI daily for tasks ranging from data analysis to idea generation, enhancing student support and communication. Examples include faculty-built custom GPT tools to extend learning beyond the classroom, AI-powered role-play simulations to prepare students for customer and professional engagement and student-led AI consulting projects with industry partners.
At the same time, AI is increasingly embedded across the curriculum. A growing number of courses are built to center squarely on AI, while others now incorporate AI modules and applications. All Neeley students are also introduced to AI fundamentals through core curriculum coursework, complemented by several certificates, credentials and executive education programs for working professionals.To guide and accelerate this work, the school has also established a Neeley AI Forward Advisory Board, bringing together industry leaders in technology and AI from leading companies.
A comprehensive approach to AI
While this progress is significant, the task force concluded that elite business schools poised to lead in AI are moving further by adopting a comprehensive approach to AI that integrates curriculum, research, operations and engagement. Neeley AI Forward is designed around that model, with five interconnected pillars:
- Research – advancing best practices for using AI in scholarship and discovery
- Faculty – supporting educators in staying at the forefront of AI-enabled teaching
- Student – ensuring all graduates develop strong AI literacy through curricular and co-curricular pathways
- Operations & Infrastructure – identifying efficiencies and innovation in how the school operates
- External– deepening industry partnerships and community engagement around AI
Each pillar is led by a member of Neeley with expertise in the area, forming a leadership team that includes Drover (research), Eric Arseneau (operations and infrastructure), Elijah Clark (student), Beata Jones (faculty) and Zain Ali (external). Together, the team brings decades of experience in technology, AI, entrepreneurship, leadership and business education.
Beginning this spring, Neeley AI Forward will launch new initiatives across its pillars, including tiered AI training workshops for faculty, staff, and students, a regular AI newsletter and AI studio, distinguished researcher visits, and expanded industry partnership opportunities. Faculty, staff and students who are experimenting with AI, building new tools, encountering challenges or identifying opportunities are encouraged to connect with the relevant pillar lead. Those insights will help shape priorities and ensure the initiative reflects real-world needs across the Neeley community.
Crossland said, "Through Neeley AI Forward, the school is positioning itself not just to adopt AI, but to help define how AI is used responsibly and effectively in business education."
