Dr. Adam Maksl – Indiana University Indianapolis, Professor of Journalism & New Media and Chair of the IU Indy Department of Communication

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Adam Maksl as our keynote speaker! A nationally recognized leader at the intersection of media literacy, digital innovation, and generative AI, Dr. Maksl brings a powerful vision for the future of higher education—rooted in interdisciplinarity, technology, and student success.

As a first-generation college graduate and award-winning educator, Dr. Maksl has helped shape how universities approach AI and digital literacy. He co-founded Indiana University’s Digital Gardener Initiative, a multi-campus effort embedding AI and digital literacy across the curriculum, and has led system-wide faculty development initiatives preparing instructors to navigate AI’s opportunities and challenges. His scholarship in news and media literacy informs his approach to AI literacy, emphasizing critical thinking, ethics, and empowerment for learners of all backgrounds.

With two decades of experience as an innovative educator, scholar, and academic leader, Dr. Maksl’s work bridges technology, pedagogy, and equity—making him the perfect voice to kick off a conference dedicated to collaboration across IT, libraries, online learning, and instructional design.