Bethany College Partners with BoodleBox to Advance AI Integration Through AI Center for Rural Initiatives
LINDSBORG, KS — May 11, 2026 — Bethany College has partnered with BoodleBox, a collaborative GenAI platform built specifically for lifelong learning and work with AI. This partnership directly supports the mission of Bethany's AI Center for Rural Initiatives, which serves as a hub that prepares students, faculty, and staff to navigate technological change with integrity, technical fluency, and human wisdom.
The phased implementation began in September 2025 with a pilot group of 30 employees and expanded to include 100 faculty, staff, and administrators, with full campus access including students planned for Fall 2026.
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes education and work, Bethany College is taking a thoughtful approach to AI integration. Through this partnership, faculty and staff are already demonstrating innovation in action. Dr. Rachel Finnell, is leading the charge in integrating AI into our core curriculum, engaging students in important conversations surrounding AI and creatively using AI in the classroom. Early adopters like Professor James Baker, Dr. Sheryl Beers-Kasper, Professor Angie Martin, and Dr. Mark McDonald are integrating AI into their respective disciplinary teaching in education, psychology, business, and biology. Staff members are focusing on institutional health by developing AI-driven retention tools to better support the student body.
“Our partnership with BoodleBox is about more than just following the latest trends in technology,” said Dr. Tash Smith Academic Dean of Bethany College. “It allows us to improve our operations and become innovative in our curriculum. Our goal as a liberal arts institution after all, is to “future-proof” our students for an ever-evolving and fast-paced society.” The partnership focuses on three key areas:
AI-Powered Learning Innovation: Faculty can seamlessly integrate AI tools to enhance curriculum development and create personalized learning pathways from adapting course materials to creating specialized bots that meet diverse student needs.
Responsible AI Collaboration: Faculty and staff gain access to industry-leading AI models (including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, and more), empowering the development of essential AI literacy skills and ensuring equitable access across campus.
Transparent Assessment Frameworks: Students will be able to cite and share AI-assisted work, allowing professors to evaluate both process and product while maintaining academic integrity and fostering skill development.
Brittany Torres, Director of Learning Systems & AI Initiatives, emphasized the impact already visible on campus. "It is exciting to see our faculty and staff move so quickly from exploration to implementation. From developing character bots for the classroom to building retention tools,
our team is demonstrating that AI is a powerful amplifier for the liberal arts. We are creating a blueprint for how rural institutions can harness technology to deepen learning and improve student outcomes."
BoodleBox has become a trusted resource on campuses across the nation. The platform's commitment to accessibility, security, and sustainability ensures institutions can confidently integrate AI while maintaining the highest standards of data security and student privacy.
About Bethany College
Founded in 1881, Bethany College is Kansas' first institution of higher learning. Located in Lindsborg, Bethany offers a rigorous liberal arts education rooted in the values of leadership, service, and academic excellence. For more information about Bethany College, visit www.bethanylb.edu.
CONTACT:
Christie Denniston
Vice President of Advancement & Alumni Engagement
dennistoncl@bethanylb.edu
785-227-3380 x. 8105
Bethany College
335 East Swensson Street
Lindsborg, KS 67456
