January 29th, 2026 - Colorado State University Global (CSU Global), a 100% online, institutionally accredited non-profit university, has joined forces with Muzzy Lane, a pioneer in AI-powered assessment solutions for the AI era, to develop a roleplay assessment for its Bachelor’s in Human Services program. This initiative marks the first use of Muzzy Lane’s Author platform to create a high-stakes, sensitive-content assessment, providing a safe, controlled environment for students to practice critical crisis management skills authentically.

CSU Global's Use Case

The assessment centers around a simulated school-related incident, immersing students in an emotionally complex scenario, designed to mirror real-world challenges faced by crisis interventionists. Students take on the role of a crisis interventionist and navigate interactions with multiple characters, including a student survivor experiencing guilt and anxiety, a staff member traumatized by the event, and a distressed 911 dispatcher. Each character presents unique needs, pushing learners to demonstrate empathy, effective communication, and evidence-based crisis management from multiple perspectives.

Structured as a branching simulation, the assessment guides students through a series of decision points, with each choice tailored to feedback and new situations. This formative approach builds confidence and practical skills by allowing safe trial and error in a realistic, high-stakes environment, including four learning objectives: Recognize Trauma, Acknowledge Trauma, Provide Guidance, and Communication.

Results and Feedback

Feedback from CSU Global’s assessment launch has been positive, with students noting it allowed them to explore different options regarding crisis interventions and helped guide their thinking. A CSU Global Student in the Human Services program shared, “School shootings are not an easy topic to approach in any aspect. This training was a good example of building foundational skills to approach sensitive topics and expand critical thinking,” reflecting the assessment’s impact. 

“Muzzy Lane’s AI tools are a game changer. With the use of a solid prompt and concept, the tools create an engaging interactive simulation in minutes with the ability to fine-tune and edit as needed”, added Nicol Dunn, Instructional Design Technology Specialist, who leveraged the Author platform to create the assessment. “I was able to create engaging simulations that allow learners to practice their skills in a real-world scenario without spending countless hours developing the content from scratch. It allows open-response interactions that require learners to think critically and provides the opportunity for honesty in a safe space. This collaboration shows CSU Global’s commitment to partnering with innovative technologies that continuously enhance our curriculum and streamline workflows for our team.”

Conclusion

By integrating Muzzy Lane’s Author platform, supported by Amazon Web Services (AWS) Bedrock AI, CSU Global is setting a new standard for skills-based, research-backed learning in higher education. Both organizations remain committed to expanding access to high-quality training, and preparing students to succeed in demanding roles.

To learn more about delivering scalable roleplay assessments for authentic practice, visit www.muzzylane.com.