Sergey Kushnarev, a senior lecturer in the Whiting School of Engineering’s Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, has been named the 2026-2027 William R. Kenan, Jr. Scholar/Teacher.
The William R. Kenan, Jr. Fund was established to stimulate the adoption of sound innovative teaching methods, particularly in undergraduate education. The Whiting School has re-envisioned this program to help teaching and tenure-track faculty members pursue research in engineering education. Faculty members interested in the fund were invited to submit proposals for projects that would provide long-term benefits to the quality and effectiveness of undergraduate teaching.
Kushanarev’s winning proposal outlines a project titled “AI-Supported Formative Assessment for Improved, Self-Regulated Learning in Engineering Statistics Courses.” The initiative will develop an AI-driven system that provides students with real-time, individualized feedback and generative AI-guided scaffolding. Designed to function as an always-available assistant TA, the tool will support problem solving, encourage reflection, and help students identify what they understand, where they need support, and how to adjust their learning strategies over time.
Ultimately, the project seeks to evaluate how AI-supported feedback influences conceptual mastery, self-regulation, equity, and student outcomes, while generating insights to inform continuous course improvement.