Seton Hall Receives AI Education Leadership Award

Michael Soupios, Renee M. Cicchino and Paul Fisher (left to right) at EdgeCon Autumn 2024.

On October 10, 2024, Seton Hall University was honored with the AI Education Leadership Award at EdgeCon Autumn 2024, Edge's annual conference focused on driving modernization across cybersecurity, campus networks, cloud strategy, student support applications, and more. The University was recognized for its thought leadership and efforts in fostering discussion and collaboration within the higher education community on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance education, research, and organizational efficiency. The award was accepted by Paul Fisher, chief information officer, alongside Michael Soupios, executive director of the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center, and Renee Cicchino, director of Instructional Design and Training, in recognition of their pivotal roles in AI integration, policy development, and community engagement.

"AI is redefining education, and it's our responsibility to use it wisely - enhancing learning, advancing research, and streamlining operations while ensuring ethical and responsible practices," said Fisher. "This award highlights Seton Hall's dedication to a collaborative approach to thoughtful innovation, and we are proud to contribute to the future of higher education."

A notable achievement was Seton Hall's partnership with Edge this past spring to host the inaugural AI Teaching & Learning Symposium, which brought together educators and students to explore AI's transformative potential in learning environments. The symposium reinforced Seton Hall's commitment to the ethical use of AI in education, enhancing both teaching practices and student outcomes.

Further demonstrating its leadership, Seton Hall University was selected to participate in the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U)'s Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum. Through this prestigious initiative, a team of Seton Hall faculty and administrators will collaborate with other educational institutions to develop innovative AI action plans, share best practices, and address the challenges of integrating AI into classrooms and curricula. Seton Hall's involvement further underscores why it earned the AI Education Leadership Award, recognizing its proactive efforts to advance responsible AI use and solidify its position as a leader in higher education's AI-driven transformation.

Following the award ceremony, Fisher, along with Seton Hall's Executive Director IT Architecture and Infrastructure, Matthew Stevenson, led a session titled "Using the Cloud to Enhance Agility, Security, and Collaboration." They detailed Seton Hall's cloud-first strategy adopted over a decade ago, which has improved scalability, cost-efficiency, and innovation across the campus.

The presentation demonstrated how this approach streamlined operations, enhanced teaching and research, and enabled rapid responses to challenges like the transition to remote learning during COVID-19. Key topics included cloud governance, security protocols, and the cultural shifts necessary for effective cloud adoption in higher education, offering attendees valuable insights on aligning cloud strategies with institutional goals.

Seton Hall University's recognition at EdgeCon Autumn 2024 reflects its commitment to innovation and excellence in using technology to advance education, research, and institutional operations. Through its engagement in key digital transformation initiatives, the University remains focused on driving meaningful change that enhances student success, empowers faculty development, and improves operational efficiency in an ever-evolving technological landscape.

Categories: Science and Technology