Seton Hall University Receives AI Education Leadership Award

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. 

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Science and Technology