Seton Hall Returns to AAC&U AI Institute

Seton Hall University has been invited to participate for a second year in the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum. This continued involvement affirms the University's growing leadership in exploring ethical and innovative uses of artificial intelligence in higher education.

Seton Hall joined the inaugural cohort in 2024, launching a year of wide-ranging experimentation, collaboration and foundational work across academic and administrative areas. Team members attended numerous AI-focused workshops, seminars and presentations hosted by peer institutions and industry partners. These events provided valuable insight into emerging practices and helped the team better understand how institutions nationwide are approaching the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. Building on that momentum, the University is currently assembling a new team and identifying strategic goals for the 2025–26 Institute.

"AI is rapidly influencing how learners engage with content, how knowledge is applied in real-world settings and how we may need to rethink assessment," said Michael Soupios, executive director of the Teaching, Learning and Technology Center (TLTC) and team lead for the initiative. "It was both affirming and energizing to see so many campuses grappling with the same essential questions about AI’s impact, including its promise, its limitations and the societal, ethical and environmental considerations that must guide its use. At Seton Hall, there is growing interest in understanding these shifts and approaching them with openness, creativity and care. This work is not about hype. It is about ensuring our graduates remain competitive, adaptable and ethically grounded in a world shaped by AI."

Key Outcomes from Year One

During the 2024–25 academic year, Seton Hall advanced several initiatives through its participation in the Institute:

• Small pilot projects using Microsoft Copilot helped faculty and administrators explore AI in real-world settings and gain practical experience with emerging tools.

• Instructional designers began integrating AI tools to support course development and learning design.

• Administrative innovations included Admissions reviewing AI for data standardization, IT staff leveraging AI to automate support workflows and web developers using AI to assist with coding and troubleshooting.

• Faculty development efforts expanded through workshops, a forthcoming self-paced online course developed in partnership with LinkedIn Learning and a centralized AI Resource Hub maintained by the TLTC.

• Micro-credentialing and career readiness initiatives were piloted, including the development of stackable credentials and collaboration with faculty and the Career Center to explore AI-driven communication training and interview simulations.

Seton Hall also increased its visibility at the regional and national levels, presenting at NJEdge events and earning recognition for its innovative work with AI.

Looking Ahead to Year Two

The University’s goals for the coming year include expanding efforts and building long-term sustainability across academic and operational areas. Areas of focus include:

• Launching new pilot projects to explore practical AI applications in teaching, learning and administration.

• Promoting AI literacy and fluency as core competencies that support higher-order and creative thinking.

• Expanding community education through training sessions that explore both the benefits and challenges of AI in academic and operational contexts.

• Establishing a cross-functional working group to encourage better coordination and communication around AI initiatives.

• Launching mentoring and engagement programs that empower enthusiastic faculty and students to support and guide others.

• Developing experiential learning opportunities that help students apply AI knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Through its continued participation in the AAC&U Institute, Seton Hall reaffirms its commitment to academic excellence, innovation and student success. By engaging with AI in thoughtful and strategic ways, the University is helping shape the future of education and preparing its students to thrive in an increasingly complex and technology-driven world.

Categories: Science and Technology