Southern Utah University Prepares Students for a Workforce Influenced by AI

Published: December 10, 2025 | Author: Gabrielle Costello | Read Time: 3 minutes

Male student looking at multiple computer screens.As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, questions about the future of work and the role of higher education in preparing the next generation have never been more pressing. Southern Utah University (SUU) is responding with a proactive, principled, and human-centered approach designed to ensure students remain competitive and adaptable in an AI-augmented world.

“As an institution, SUU’s primary mission is to prepare students for successful careers,” said Kristy Morgan, Assistant Vice President of Career Success. “To accomplish that, we must stay ahead of the skills required for jobs that are being shaped, accelerated, and in some cases created by artificial intelligence.”

Like transformative technologies before it—such as computers, cell phones, and social media—AI is expected to reshape the workforce. Some highly repetitive, rule-based, or data-driven tasks will be disrupted or eliminated. However, SUU predicts that although careers may change, many will continue to thrive precisely because they require distinctly human strengths.

These include:

  • Creative problem-solving and ethical reasoning
  • Roles with complex physical or social interaction, such as nursing, teaching, and skilled trades
  • Care-oriented professions such as therapy and counseling
  • Any work requiring emotional intelligence, empathy, and nuanced judgment

Leadership emphasizes that there will always be something inherently valuable about work done by a human. Just as people pay more for a handmade mug than a mass-produced one, the difference between human and AI-generated work is meaningful and valued.

Because the workforce is changing so rapidly, SUU is committed to equipping students not only with specific technical skills but also with adaptability, critical thinking, and the ability to learn new tools throughout their careers.

SUU has long been an early adopter of innovative technology, including launching the nation’s first fully functional virtual reality classroom. Today, the university is integrating AI readiness across campus through several initiatives:

  • Official guiding principles for generative AI that emphasize responsible, human-centered use.
  • Updated coursework and assignments that teach students to analyze, critique, and ethically leverage AI-generated content.
  • Investments in deep learning, virtual reality, and cybersecurity labs to give students hands-on experience with emerging fields.
  • A forthcoming minor in AI Ethics and Literacy, designed to help students navigate the social, ethical, and professional implications of AI.

Rather than replacing learning, SUU views AI as a tool to enhance creativity, improve efficiency, and deepen understanding.

Parents investing in a college education want confidence that their students will graduate prepared for a meaningful career. SUU remains committed to strong career outcomes, which is demonstrated through rising employment rates for graduates. Currently, more than 85% of SUU graduates with bachelor’s degrees are employed, and 97.3% of master’s degree graduates are working in their fields.

SUU emphasizes that college education is much more than training for a specific job. It is an investment in human capability including creativity, emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, and complex problem-solving—all skills that AI cannot replicate.

SUU is embracing AI with care and intention, ensuring that the technology enhances learning without overshadowing human judgment. Faculty are integrating AI into coursework to model how professionals use the tools effectively and ethically. AI is also being used in student support systems, including an AI-driven recruiter that provides instant answers and helps prospective students navigate online programs.

Across the curriculum and campus, SUU’s mindset is clear: jobs will change, and the individuals who flourish in the workforce will be those who adapt and learn to leverage AI—not avoid it.

SUU leadership is prepared to empower students to understand that the goal isn’t to compete with AI, but to combine their unique human strengths with powerful new tools. This combination is what will create strong leaders in the workforce of tomorrow.

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