Google Gemini Transforms Case Western Reserve University

Google Gemini: A Secure AI Solution for Case Western Reserve

In April 2025, Case Western Reserve University introduced Google Gemini for its staff and students, responding to a growing demand for secure artificial intelligence tools on campus. Tron Compton-Engle, the associate vice president for customer experience, explained that he and his team were looking for an AI solution “where we didn’t have to worry about data usage for training.” Gemini was chosen for its ability to provide a secure environment, allowing the entire campus to use it without fear.

Before its official launch, the university tested the Gemini application with a group of beta testers, who provided positive feedback. Once Gemini became a central service covered by the university's contract with Google, the application was made available for free to the entire university community. Additionally, Google AI Pro for Education licenses were acquired for staff and faculty, offering access to premium models and features.

Training and Communication: Keys to AI Adoption

The university quickly implemented a training strategy to maximize the use of Gemini. In December 2025, a half-day AI conference was organized in collaboration with Google, attracting 500 participants, primarily faculty and staff, but also some students. This event showcased various Google AI tools, such as NotebookLM and Gemini.

Training opportunities abound. Staff, teachers, and students can take a self-directed online course on Canvas to learn how to use and make the most of AI tools. Targeted training sessions are also organized for users with access to the Google AI Pro license, including university leadership such as the president, provost, and department deans.

If a department or office wishes to use AI for specific purposes or simply requests general training on AI usage, “we meet with them, discuss their needs, and then tailor the training to that particular department,” Compton-Engle explains. Recently, he spoke with the business school, the Weatherhead School of Management, which wants to organize a series of AI training sessions for the school's staff.

Currently, Case Western Reserve hosts monthly online “AI office hours” with Google. “We have people from Google and our university tech team on Google Meet, and anyone can join to ask questions, get help, and discover new features on Google’s AI platform,” Compton-Engle explains.

A Targeted Approach for Successful Adoption

For other universities that have not yet begun to explore Gemini, Compton-Engle believes that “the rewards definitely outweigh the risks. What people gain from it certainly helps them work more efficiently.”

His main advice is that a broad approach to disseminating information aids in adoption. “Don’t just distribute it, but really work to spread the word. Really focus on training,” says Compton-Engle. “We try to meet people where they are. Some people like large events. Others prefer to join a Google Meet. Target your different audiences: faculty, staff, and students.”

He adds that it is important to convey to skeptical users that AI is now much more powerful and useful than before. “I think there are a lot of people who used AI a year and a half ago, and it was terrible, so they set it aside a bit,” he says. “But they need to know that it’s much better than it was even a few months ago. It’s just about understanding that they should give it another chance. Even if you tried it and it didn’t help before, that doesn’t mean it’s not great now.”

Significant Time Savings with Google Gemini

For Compton-Engle, long-term success lies in integrating Gemini AI into people’s work, enabling them to work more efficiently “and have time to do more important things.” He looks forward to seeing more user stories and concrete data on Gemini in action.

“We see people using Gemini to help them write reports,” he says. “But we had a faculty member in engineering who wrote a textbook and used Gemini to help convert that textbook, which contained many figures, into presentations for his classes so he wouldn’t have to do it manually. It worked very well, and I’m sure it saved him an incredible amount of time.”

The university continues to gather testimonials and data on the use of Gemini, hoping to demonstrate its positive impact on academic productivity.