East Carolina University (ECU) recognized the potential of Microsoft Copilot and generative AI to improve productivity and support university operations. But with growing interest in AI came growing questions around data protection, governance, acceptable use, and how to scale AI responsibly across a complex higher education environment. ECU partnered with Mobile Mentor through Copilot Mentoring to establish the foundation needed to move from AI experimentation toward responsible, strategic adoption.

The Challenge

ECU’s biggest challenge wasn’t a lack of interest in AI. The university needed to determine how to adopt Copilot and AI responsibly within a higher education environment.

With demand for its limited Copilot licenses growing, so were concerns around data protection, oversharing, acceptable use, and long-term governance. ECU also faced the complexity of managing data subject to regulations including FERPA, HIPAA, and GLBA.

“It was really the background, getting the structure or getting the foundation in place… data protections, oversharing, acceptable use. Long-term governance, putting the framework in place.”

Rather than simply learning how to use Copilot, ECU needed a broader strategy for preparing the institution to use AI safely and effectively.

“The Microsoft ecosystem changes incredibly rapidly. Every day, change comes towards us faster and faster. Mobile Mentor stepped in and, in some ways, helped us see the wood through the trees. They helped us see where we could really add value and what we really needed to take into account. “

Scotty Stroup, IT Director

The Solution: Copilot Mentoring

Mobile Mentor worked alongside ECU through business analysis sessions, governance discussions, use-case reviews, and data security engagements, in addition to training. The goal was to move the conversation beyond what Copilot could do and focus on where AI could deliver measurable value to the University.

Together, the teams evaluated potential use cases, identified actionable opportunities, and connected AI adoption to broader university business outcomes. The engagement also helped ECU think beyond Copilot itself, considering AI agents, automation, and the broader AI operating model the university will need as adoption grows.

“One of the biggest benefits was helping us really move the conversation away from what Copilot can do to where can AI deliver measurable value to the university.”

Scotty Stroup, IT Director

The Impact

The engagement helped ECU accelerate progress on the foundational work required for responsible AI adoption.

One of the most significant outcomes was the development of an AI policy in just three weeks, a process that ECU noted can normally take up to a year because of its complex approval structure.

The university also advanced its data protection initiatives and began creating sensitivity labels to better protect information used by AI. Mobile Mentor helped the team rethink its approach to data classification and move faster toward implementation.

Most importantly, ECU gained more than Copilot training. The engagement helped establish the governance, data protection, and organizational readiness needed to support responsible AI adoption across the University.

For ECU, Copilot Mentoring became a catalyst for broader AI readiness—helping the University move faster while building the foundation needed to adopt AI responsibly.

“Mobile Mentor helped us establish the governance and AI policy, the sensitivity labeling, and the data protections, which are the foundations for making sure AI is utilized responsibly on campus.”

Scotty Stroup, IT Director