College of Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty Impact

At Grand Canyon University, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) is finding creative ways to equip students with real-world skills through thoughtful, hands-on use of AI tools.

🎓 AI in Psychology: Guided Article Analysis with Dr. Magen Branham

CETLA is excited to spotlight Dr. Magen Branham, who has designed a custom AI chatbot to support students in evaluating empirical research. As part of her psychology course, students select an empirical, correlational article and use the chatbot to explore questions tied to the four validities, construct, internal, external, and statistical.

The chatbot plays a carefully structured role:

  • It verifies whether the chosen article meets assignment requirements (empirical and correlational).
  • It guides students with prompts that encourage critical thinking.
  • It does not give answers outright, ensuring authentic learning.
  • It helps students practice evaluating research claims with accuracy and confidence.

This will be Dr. Branham’s first semester fully implementing the tool, and her work represents a thoughtful, responsible use of AI that strengthens research literacy and encourages deeper engagement with psychological science.

Magen Branham
💼 Career-Ready Skills Through AI: PR Writing with Cynthia Weaver

CETLA is proud to highlight Cynthia Weaver and her innovative use of AI in the Public Relations Writing course. To help students prepare for real-world careers in PR, Cynthia created an assignment that blends professional development with responsible AI use.

Students begin by researching the education and experience required for a PR role they aspire to, such as Media Relations, Crisis Communications, or Internal Communications. They then create an aspirational résumé and cover letter tailored to a real job listing.

To support the process, students use:

  • ChatGPT to generate polished application materials using industry-relevant keywords
  • Insta Headshots to produce a professional, job-ready headshot

This assignment teaches students how to:

  • Navigate AI tools effectively and ethically
  • Communicate their qualifications with clarity and confidence
  • Strengthen personal branding
  • Prepare for internships and future PR roles

Cynthia’s approach encourages students to build both technical and professional skills—showcasing how AI can enhance learning in meaningful, career-focused ways.

Cynthia Weaver