Charley Butcher and Sandra Perez are leading the charge to integrate AI across the university’ s campus with game-changing benefits for faculty and students
UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG
Charley Butcher and Sandra Perez are leading the charge to integrate AI across the university’ s campus with game-changing benefits for faculty and students
t a small liberal arts university nestled in a quiet corner of Virginia, something significant is brewing. The University of Lynchburg has a proud history that traces its roots back to the very beginning of the 20th century.
Located in a leafy suburb, its peaceful landscape and colonial-style architecture present a very traditional image of American higher education.
But speak to any member of the university’ s faculty or student body and you will quickly realise that all is not quite what it seems on campus.
For the past few years, the University of Lynchburg has put a real emphasis on digital transformation. This mission, spearheaded by Charley Butcher, the university’ s Chief Educational Technology & AI Officer and Sandra Perez, the Senior Director of Academic Initiatives & Human Resources, has been nothing short of a technological upheaval.
The 120-year-old university has made AI literacy a core component of nearly every course it offers. This, according to Charley and Sandra, is not only streamlining everything from administration to teaching, but it is also giving students a head start in an increasingly competitive job market in which AI skills are in high demand.
284 December 2025