HIGHER EDUCATION
HIGHER EDUCATION
AI Transforming Higher Education
Compiled by Diane C . Walsh
Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) is undeniably revolutionizing every facet of our lives . It has permeated all our daily activities , transforming , not only the way we communicate , shop , travel , but redefining work and how we work . Business and industry are adopting AI at a break-neck pace to remain competitive , improve products , operations , and human resources – to name just a few of its applications .
The pervasive nature of AI made COMMERCE Magazine want to speak with leaders in higher education since their students ’ work , life and careers will be fully shaped by it . We surveyed presidents of colleges and universities across the state and we were fascinated by their innovative approaches to AI – how it is reimagining curriculum , enhancing efficiencies and even providing ways to track students and devise interventions to help assure their successful graduation . Some schools are already offering degree programs in AI . Here is what we learned :
Berkeley College Diane Recinos , EdD President
AI programs hold enormous potential to transform higher education by making learning more efficient and accessible . At Berkeley College , our faculty utilize AI programs in everything from course design and grading rubrics to creating engaging discussion questions and class assignments . AI can analyze students ’ learning patterns and preferences , helping them learn in their own style , and leading to better retention of concepts and improved outcomes for students and colleges alike .
In Career Services , AI tools are helpful in guiding students and alumni to develop engaging resumes and cover letters . AI tools are also beneficial in drafting effective email communications to stakeholders and in streamlining feedback . Despite its remarkable capabilities , AI cannot fully substitute for human interactions . A spectrum of human emotion and understanding is essential to build genuine connections and rapport between students and educators . Our faculty encourage critical thinking and creativity among their students to foster engaging discussions , debate and collaborative problem-solving , which are essential for future career success .
Centenary University Dale Caldwell President
I had the honor of joining other New Jersey College Presidents at the New Jersey AI Summit at my alma mater Princeton University . This program confirmed several things about the future of both work and higher education . It is clear that employers will once again value students who have a liberal arts education that enhances their ability to analyze human problems and have the skill of working with and leading diverse teams . AI provides everyone with the ability to utilize skills that were previously limited to people with a technical background . Therefore the ability to use this technical information to effective to improve organizations
and society will be the skill most sought after in the future .”
Felician University Mildred Mihlon , PhD . President
In today ’ s rapidly evolving technological landscape , Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a transformative force with the potential to revolutionize various aspects of higher education . Key initiatives where AI is making a significant impact at Felician University , while advancing our mission to provide a transformative educational experience for our students , include integrating AI into the curriculum . Felician offers specialized courses on AI and machine learning tailored for various disciplines such as healthcare , business , and computer science . This not only equips students with highly sought-after skills but also encourages interdisciplinary research and practical applications of AI .
Analyzing large datasets with AI algorithms , we can identify patterns and trends that enable us to predict student outcomes more accurately . This predictive analytics capability allows us to intervene early and provide targeted support to students who may be facing academic challenges , ultimately improving retention and graduation rates . AI-driven systems implemented in administrative processes , such as scheduling , routine communication , and facilities management , automate certain tasks enabling us to enhance operational efficiency and allocate resources more effectively . In the future , we look to utilize AI-powered adaptive learning systems to tailor educational experiences to the individual needs of each student especially those with disabilities .
Hudson County Community College Christopher M . Reber , Ph . D . President
AI will benefit students by making learning more accessible .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / Hispanolistic
The Hudson County Community College ( HCCC ) Center for Online Learning utilizes generative AI ( GenAI ) to collaborate with our Academic Affairs and Assessment content experts on curriculum development and online course design . Examples include drafting rubrics , diversifying examples , sourcing inspiration for authentic assignments , storyboarding video scripts , providing summary and analysis of emerging research , generating quiz banks from existing content , and creating Alt-Text for images .
HCCC encourages faculty to infuse GenAI into their teaching and assessment . By creating
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