About the AI Project Initiative
About Our AI Project Initiative
Our initiative brings the power of artificial intelligence to CU Denver’s staff, making every day work smarter, simpler, and more collaborative. By introducing tools like Microsoft Copilot and offering practical training, personalized support, and easy-to-access resources, we help transform workflows into opportunities for innovation. This program is designed to build confidence and fluency in AI, so every team member can leverage technology to save time, improve decision-making, and enhance productivity. Together, we’re creating a culture where AI is not just a tool, it’s a trusted partner in driving progress across the university.
Project Mission
Empower CU Denver faculty and staff by integrating AI technologies, such as Microsoft Copilot, into daily workflows. We aim to make work easier, more efficient, and more innovative through practical training, personalized consultations, and accessible resources. With clear guidelines, hands-on learning, and a supportive community, we’ll ensure AI becomes a trusted tool for productivity and collaboration across the university.
Project Vision
Foster a forward-thinking CU Denver community where AI drives transformation. We strive to build a culture of confidence and fluency in AI, enabling staff to leverage intelligent tools for smarter decision-making, streamlined processes, and enhanced teamwork. Through continuous learning and collaboration, CU Denver will lead in higher education innovation, where technology empowers people to achieve more every day.Project Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles are fundamental values or beliefs that shape the culture, behavior, and decision-making within an organization. We use them as foundational standards to guide our actions, inform our decisions, and align our behaviors with the organization's goals and values, ensuring consistency and unity across our endeavors.
Accessibility
Ensure AI tools and resources are easy to access and understand for all faculty and staff.
Practicality
Focus on real-world applications that simplify workflows and improve efficiency.
Personalization
Offer tailored training and support to meet diverse roles and needs across the university.
Collaboration
Promote teamwork and knowledge-sharing to foster a community of AI learning and innovation
Confidence
Build trust and fluency in AI through clear guidance and hands-on experience.
Continuous Improvement
Commit to ongoing learning and adaptation as AI technologies evolve.
Meet the AI Project Team
David Trinh
AI Project Initiative Team As a dual specialist in Management Information Systems and Finance, I blend academic rigor with proven leadership in technology ecosystems and community growth. Over the past three years, I’ve leveraged my positions at industry leaders including Apple, NVIDIA, and KPMG to streamline tech adoption, enhance educational outreach, and uncover actionable insights across diverse business sectors. My hands-on experience spans platforms like NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Institute (NLP and anomaly detection), Apple’s Swift environment, and Adobe Creative Cloud, applying these tools to drive genuine engagement and operational success. I have empowered over 1,000 students globally to integrate AI into their skill sets. I specialize in harnessing collective innovation to drive tangible growth, and my passion and goal is to do it for the University of Colorado Denver.
Dayton Nguyen
AI Student Analyst As an AI Student Analyst, I blend academic insights from my AI coursework with hands-on experience in technology enablement. My background as a Teaching Assistant for the Nvidia Deep Learning Institute has provided a strong foundation in applying complex AI concepts to real-world challenges. My hands-on experience spans NVIDIA’s deep learning frameworks and AI-powered productivity platforms like Notion AI, using these tools to automate workflows, structure complex research, and launch new projects. I am passionate about empowering the CU Denver community to adopt and leverage these transformative tools, and my goal is to help drive this technological integration across the university.
Holly Pham
AI Student Analyst
As an Information Systems specialist, I blend proven technical support expertise with emerging knowledge in AI implementation. Over the past three years, I’ve leveraged technology to streamline university operations, enhance user experiences, and uncover efficiencies across campus initiatives. My hands-on experience spans platforms like, Microsoft SharePoint, Zendesk, and Adobe Creative Cloud, and my experience includes practical applications such as managing centralized AI knowledge bases, facilitating technical workshops, automating documentation for IT support, and executing comprehensive marketing strategies that drive digital tool adoption.
John Trinh
AI Implementation Analyst As an AI Implementation Analyst, I blend a strong academic foundation in Information Systems with proven experience in AI-driven business strategy and financial analysis. My background includes leading teams to utilize the OpenAI API to automate marketing strategies and analyzing the market potential of AI-focused startups for venture capital. My hands-on experience also spans enterprise platforms like Salesforce and data tools like Tableau, applying them to optimize performance and uncover actionable insights. I am passionate about finding the intersection of AI and tangible business value, and my goal is to help implement these effective, data-driven technologies across the University of Colorado Denver
Khoa Nguyen
AI Student Analyst
As a Computer Science Major and Digital Transformation specialist, I blend advanced Computer Science principles with practical Data Science applications. Over the past two years, I’ve leveraged AI and full-stack development to streamline global operations, enhance data accessibility, and uncover actionable insights across diverse enterprise initiatives. My hands-on experience spans platforms like Azure OpenAI, PyTorch, and SQL Server, and my experience includes practical applications such as developing intelligent voice-enabled chatbots, automating material shortage tracking to save approximately $125,000 annually, structuring complex enterprise databases, and analyzing diverse datasets to influence multi-million-dollar investment decisions.
Eric Campagna
AI Project Initiative Lead
As Manager of the Project Management Office, I blend proven leadership in project delivery with advanced knowledge in generative AI. Over the past four years, I’ve leveraged AI to streamline workflows, enhance decision-making, and uncover actionable insights across diverse initiatives. My hands-on experience spans platforms like, but not limited too, Microsoft Copilot, Apple AI, and text-to-image solutions and my experience includes practical applications such as summarizing complex communications, automating documentation, analyzing lessons learned, creating dynamic content for training and outreach, generating visual assets through text-to-image tools, and supporting productivity initiatives with AI-driven solutions.
For the past 15 months, I’ve led comprehensive Copilot training for licensed and unlicensed users, empowering teams to integrate AI into daily operations. I’ve developed tailored prompt repositories for project management and O365, and specialize in designing custom prompts to meet organizational needs. Beyond training, I’ve presented on AI adoption in project management, HR, and enterprise productivity, sharing strategies for ethical and effective implementation.
Currently focused on generative AI and prompt engineering, I’m expanding into intelligent agents through advanced coursework. My 2026 goal is to earn the PMI Certified Professional in Managing AI (PMI-CPMAI) credential, positioning me as a strategic leader in AI-driven transformation.
Desiree Shroyer
AI Project Initiative Team
As a Project Management Professional within the PMO, I have been an early adopter and advocate for AI-driven solutions. My journey with AI began by using tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot to streamline meeting minutes. Over time, AI has become an integral part of both my professional and personal life.
Today, I leverage AI daily to enhance productivity and creativity. Professionally, I use AI to generate project management documents, develop website content, create presentations, and design visual aids. These tools have enabled me to deliver successful projects that strengthen our department’s capabilities and demonstrate to the CU Denver and Anschutz campuses that we are a highly effective PMO.
Beyond work, AI has supported my personal projects, from planning a condo renovation for my parents to finding reliable contractors and movers. I’ve even used AI to design interior spaces, selecting paint colors, textiles, furniture, and lighting to bring creative visions to life.
AI has not only improved efficiency but also empowered innovation, helping me drive impactful results and showcase the transformative potential of technology within project management.
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Renee Minch
AI Project Initiative Team
Role and Experience
Senior Project Management Professional with over 15 years of experience. Currently leading strategic initiatives at CU Denver using Microsoft Copilot to manage risks, refine schedules, and streamline workflows.
AI in Action
I use AI to eliminate manual effort by automating documentation, reporting, and planning tasks that previously took days. With Copilot, I apply prompt-based workflows to accelerate decision-making and improve execution.
Collaboration and Enablement
I support teams adopting Copilot by offering tailored guidance based on real use cases. I listen closely to their goals and help them move from experimentation to confident, repeatable use.
Creative Communication
I design dynamic content in PowerPoint, Word, and Excel, and use AI-generated imagery to enhance engagement across projects.
Mindset and Impact
Every task I approach with Copilot is informed by project management expertise and a mindset of continuous improvement. This helps maintain momentum, clarify priorities, and support the broader goals of the PMO.
