Biography

Dr. Szymon Machajewski is a distinguished professional in the field of educational technology and innovation. As the Associate Director of Academic Technology and Learning Innovation at the University of Illinois Chicago, he has made significant contributions to the adoption of technology in teaching and learning, with a particular focus on student engagement through learning analytics.

With over 20 years of experience in college teaching, Dr. Machajewski has consistently pushed the boundaries of educational technology. His expertise in gamification and learning analytics has earned him recognition as a "gamification sherpa," guiding institutions towards more engaging and effective learning experiences. His innovative approach to education has been acknowledged with several prestigious awards, including a national award for Optimizing Student Experience and an award for Leading Change in 2021.

Dr. Machajewski's contributions to the field extend beyond his role at UIC. He has authored open-source projects such as BbStats and LoginAs, which were recognized with a Catalyst Award for Innovative Development in 2011. His work in e-learning has also resulted in a U.S. patent, further cementing his status as a pioneer in the field. In 2012, under his faculty advisory, a student team at Grand Rapids Community College won an award for mobile app development. In 2014, as a full-time faculty member at Grand Valley State University, he received an award in instructional design and accessibility for his courses "Introduction to Telecommunications" and "Introduction to Computing," demonstrating his continued excellence in course design and delivery.

In recent years, Dr. Machajewski has been at the forefront of exploring the potential of artificial intelligence in higher education. In 2017 his team won an AI hackathon with Course Sentiment project using AWS Amazon Comprehend. He has written thought-provoking articles on the subject, including "English 2.0: AI-Driven Language Transformation" for EDUCAUSE, which examines how AI is reshaping language learning and classroom dynamics. His insights on AI's role in education have been sought after by publications such as the Chronicle of Higher Education, where he discussed the increasing use of AI in academic publishing decisions.

Dr. Machajewski's expertise and leadership in educational technology have earned him positions on several influential committees.  He was invited as a fellow to the Anthology Center for Advancing Learning and the AI Advisory Committee in 2023, which aims to provide dynamic, data-informed experiences to the education community globally. In 2022, he was honored with the University of Illinois Chicago's Award of Merit.  

He serves as a chair of the EDUCAUSE Student Success Analytics CG Steering Committee. Additionally, he was invited to join the Blackboard Community Leadership Circle, a governance board that leads and influences initiatives for the global education community.

Throughout his career, Dr. Machajewski has maintained a strong commitment to student success and mental health awareness. He is certified in Mental Health First Aid, reflecting his holistic approach to education that considers both technological advancements and student well-being. His multifaceted expertise and dedication to innovation continue to shape the future of learning technologies and instructional innovation in higher education.

Recent Articles:

Machajewski, S. (2024). The AI Revolution in Chess and Its Impact on Education.  Unlocking the joy of learning with a spirit of play. EdTech Digest. 

Machajewski, S. (2024). English 2.0: AI-Driven Language Transformation. Educause Review.

Machajewski, S. (2024). AI Instructional Framework: A Comprehensive Approach to Learning with AI. https://bit.ly/AI_Framework_2024

Robert, J., et al. expert panel (2023). 2023 EDUCAUSE Horizon Action Plan: Generative AI. Educause.

Machajewski, S., Carpenter, R., Hermann, K., & Heiser, C. (2023). Envisioning How Data-Informed Colleges Will Redefine the Student Experience. Anthology Education & Research Center.

Almond-Dannenbring, T., Easter, M., Feng, L., Guarcello, M., Ham, M., Machajewski, S., Maness, H., Miller, A., Mooney, & S., Moore, A. (2022). A Framework for Student Success Analytics. Educause Review.

Guarcello, M., Feng, L., Panahi, S., Machajewski, S., and Ham, M. (2021) Discrimination in a Sea of Data: Exploring the Ethical Implications of Student Success Analytics, Educause Review

Google Scholar:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=a-FePHAAAAAJ&hl=en

Featured in:

Advancing opportunities for AI in higher education. Collaborating with Anthology to give time back to instructors. 
https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2023/10/advancing-opportunities-for-ai-in-higher-education

OpenStax. (2024). Lessons Learned with Dr. Szymon Machajewski. Learn with us: Voices Part II. Rice University. Retrieved from https://openstax.org/blog/learn-with-us-voices-part-ii

"We’re All Using It": Publishing Decisions Are Increasingly Aided by AI.  Chronicle of Higher Education, Print & Online. https://www.chronicle.com/article/were-all-using-it-publishing-decisions-are-increasingly-aided-by-ai-thats-not-always-obvious

The Role of AI in Higher Education: Interview with Dr. Szymon Machajewski, UIC Associate Director, Academic Technology & Learning Innovation. https://it.uic.edu/news-stories/spotlight-series-szymon-machajewski/