Spanning disciplines from business and computer science to the arts and education, the projects reflect a campus-wide commitment to preparing students for a rapidly evolving, AI-driven world. Funded initiatives extend across the Koppelman School of Business as well as programs in English, film, art, mathematics, education, academic affairs, and Student Affairs.

Integrating AI Into Business Education

Several faculty from the Koppelman School of Business are launching an interdisciplinary capstone course titled 鈥淭he Integrated Edge: AI, Decision-Making, and Business Strategy.鈥� The course will pilot in summer 2026.

The course addresses a long-standing challenge in business education: the 鈥渟ilo effect,鈥� in which accounting, finance, economics, and management are often taught separately. The Integrated Edge instead requires students to apply all four disciplines simultaneously to analyze complex business problems鈥攎irroring how decisions are made in real organizations.

Students will gain hands-on experience with professional AI platforms used in industry, including tools for forecasting, auditing, and financial analysis. The course also emphasizes a 鈥渉uman-in-the-loop鈥� approach, teaching students to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs, identify potential biases or errors, and apply professional judgment.

Structured in four modules鈥攅conomic forecasting, led by Professor Merih Uctum; AI-assisted auditing, led by Professor Frimette Kass-Shraibman; corporate finance, led by Professor Sunil Mohanty; and strategic integration, led by PI and Professor Carol Connell鈥攖he course culminates in a capstone project in which students analyze a real company using both traditional business frameworks and AI-supported insights.

By combining interdisciplinary thinking with responsible AI use, The Integrated Edge aims to equip students with the analytical, technological, and ethical skills needed for tomorrow鈥檚 business leadership.

Koppelman School of Business Interim Dean Myles Bassell is leading nearly 400 students from the Koppelman School of Business in “IBM鈥檚 AI Experiential Learning Lab,” a hands-on, 10-week program designed to immerse students in real-world artificial intelligence applications. Through the program, students work in multidisciplinary teams to design and develop AI-driven solutions using IBM鈥檚 enterprise technologies, including watsonx. Supported by IBM experts and industry mentors, students move from concept to prototype while tackling authentic business challenges.

Throughout the lab, participants build practical skills in generative and agentic AI, as well as responsible AI design, while producing portfolio-ready projects that enhance their career readiness. By the program鈥檚 conclusion, students will have completed AI solutions they can present to employers and will earn IBM-recognized digital credentials to showcase on LinkedIn and resumes. The initiative reflects Koppelman鈥檚 commitment to experiential learning, industry collaboration, and preparing students to lead in an AI-driven economy.

Bassell is also spearheading the broader “AI Literacy in Business Education: From Classrooms to Careers” initiative, which is being implemented in phases beginning in Fall 2025 and continuing through Spring 2026, with expansion planned for Summer 2026 and beyond. In Fall 2025 alone, Koppelman students completed approximately 700 IBM AI-related certificates, followed by more than 1,000 additional certifications in Spring 2026. These credentials were integrated directly into coursework through collaboration between Bassell and business school faculty.

Students earn certifications through IBM SkillsBuild in areas such as AI Literacy, Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals, Generative AI, Agentic AI applications, Enterprise Design Thinking, and Cybersecurity Fundamentals, among others. Each certification includes a verifiable digital badge, allowing students to clearly demonstrate their AI competencies to prospective employers.

Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship Associate Professor Ngoc (Cindy) Pham is leading the “The semester-long weekly boot camp is designed to build applied and ethical AI fluency while preparing students for the evolving workforce.

The initiative combines hands-on workshops, industry perspectives, cross-institution collaboration, and digital badge recognition to help students develop both technical confidence and critical thinking skills.

Program highlights include weekly AI boot camps at 可乐视频, guest speakers and industry experts from IBM and other national AI practitioners, and a joint CUNY鈥揘YU Tandon session hosted at NYU that helped launch a long-term collaboration. Students also take on leadership roles as moderators and event facilitators. Designed for scalability, the model aims to expand across CUNY while maintaining a strong focus on equity, access, and workforce readiness.

Matt Lentz, vice president at Monks and founder of the Enterprise Consulting Practice, speaks at an AI bootcamp hosted by NYU鈥檚 Tandon School of Engineering on March 12. The event was a part of the CUNY AI literacy and professional readiness series led by 可乐视频 Associate Professor Ngoc (Cindy) Pham and focused on AI in enterprise consulting. (Top photo) In February, guest lecturer Conor Grennan鈥擟EO of AI Mindset and New York Times bestselling author鈥攈eadlined a lecture titled, 鈥淎rtificial Intelligence & the Future of Work鈥� that drew 118 participants.

Expanding AI to Student Support: Addressing Food Insecurity

可乐视频鈥檚 AI initiatives also extend beyond the classroom, applying emerging technologies to one of the most pressing challenges facing students: food insecurity.

Led by Associate Professor of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship Laura Rifkin and building on the human-centered work of the campus food pantry staff鈥攊ncluding Assistant Director of Student Support Services Nicole Cohen and Student Affairs鈥攖his effort will explore how AI can expand access to nutritious food in ways that are both practical and dignified. One approach under consideration is a smart vending system that would serve as an extension of the pantry, offering discreet, flexible access outside of traditional hours. By reducing barriers such as stigma, scheduling conflicts, and transportation challenges, the system could significantly broaden its reach while generating anonymized, real-time data on usage patterns and unmet need.

The initiative also examines how agentic AI can support pantry operations behind the scenes鈥攁nalyzing trends, anticipating demand, optimizing inventory, and improving coordination of donations and purchasing. Guided by principles of transparency, human oversight, and bias mitigation, the work builds on the college鈥檚 strong track record of student-centered support while introducing scalable, data-informed solutions.

The effort comes at a critical moment. Food pantry use has grown fourfold in recent years, reflecting both rising need and the extraordinary commitment of staff working with limited resources. Across CUNY, approximately 110,000 students鈥攁bout 40% of the system鈥攅xperience food insecurity, yet only a small percentage access available support, often due to stigma or administrative barriers. By integrating AI thoughtfully into these services, the college aims to close that gap by strengthening student well-being to support academic success.

AI-Supported Professional Preparation for Early Childhood Teachers Working With Dual Language Learners

In the School of Education, Associate Professor Lulu Song is addressing a critical need in early childhood teacher preparation. Her project integrates AI into coursework to support future educators working with dual language learners, a population that represents nearly half of young children in New York State. Through structured assignments, students will use AI tools for research and problem-solving while learning to critically evaluate outputs for accuracy, bias, and credibility.

Additional projects include AI-supported learning studios in mathematics, interdisciplinary minors linking computer science with writing and finance, and research on ethical design and decision-making. Collectively, these initiatives highlight 可乐视频鈥檚 holistic approach to AI鈥攐ne that blends innovation with responsibility, and technical skills with human insight.

Understanding AI: A Foundational Series for Faculty

Led by Karen Stern-Gabbay, professor of history and director of the Roberta S. Matthews Center for Teaching and Learning, and James T. Eaton, associate dean in the Provost鈥檚 Office, this workshop series will bring expert speakers to campus to guide faculty through key topics such as technological disruption, ethics, and curriculum design.

Open to both full- and part-time instructors, the program is designed to build confidence and shared understanding around AI in the classroom.

Faking It: A Global Workshop Series

AI鈥檚 cultural and creative implications are also a focus. Distinguished Professor of Film Alexandra Juhasz, in collaboration with filmmaker Nishant Shah, is leading 鈥淔aking It,鈥� a global workshop series examining questions of authenticity, knowledge, and human connection in an AI-mediated world. With sessions planned in New York and Hong Kong, the project will explore how emerging technologies reshape storytelling, perception, and social relationships.

You can see all the projects listed here.

• Myles Bassell (Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship) – AI Literacy in Business Education: Scaling a Proven Model at the Koppelman School of Business.
• April Bedford (Academic Affairs) – Faculty AI Bootcamp: Developing Critical AI Literacy, Course Policies, and Pedagogical Innovation.
• Hui Chen (Computer and Information Science) – Human-in-the-Loop Just-in-Time AI Auto-Tutoring: A Pilot for CUNY Pathways Courses.
• Carol Connell (Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship) – AI, Decision-Making, and Business Strategy Integrated Capstone.
• James Eaton (Academic Affairs) – Understanding AI: A Foundational Series for Faculty.
• Alexandra Juhasz (Film) – Faking It: AI Education and Literacy.
• Devorah Kletenik – (Computer and Information Science) Designing With Ethics: Exploring AI-Enhanced Dark Patterns.
• Swan Kim (English) – Critical AI Literacy for the Public Good: A CUNY-Scalable Ethical Foundations Module Reaching All Incoming Students.
• Sandra Kingan (Mathematics) – AI-Supported Math Foundations Studio.
• Anjali Krishnan (Psychology) – Promoting Responsible AI Use in Skill-Based and Writing-Intensive Courses.
• Jennifer McCoy; Jonathan Zalben (Art, Conservatory of Music) – AI Initiative in the Arts.
• Martha Nadell and Hui Chen (English, Computer and Information Science) – Writing For the Future: An Integrated English/Computer and Information Sciences Minor.
• Hyuna Park and Katherine Chuang (Finance, Computer and Information Science) – Using AI Tools to Create Synergy Between Finance and Computer Science Education.
• Ngoc (Cindy) Pham (Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship) – CUNY AI Literacy and Professional Readiness Micro-Credential Series With Global Expert Partners.
• Laura Rifkin (Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship) – Addressing Food Insecurities.
• Lulu Song (Early Childhood Education/Art Education) – AI-Supported Professional Preparation for Early Childhood Teachers Working With Dual Language Learners.

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The glitch was fixed, and Khaimov was in. From day one, he knew he would be taking business classes, with the idea that an accounting degree could support a future career in law. But then he started an internship at PBS and became absorbed in his role working for an executive producer affiliated with the station. It was his first exposure to the inner workings of a professional accounting environment. 鈥淭he executive producer was working on a biographical piece for the network,鈥� says Khaimov. 鈥淲e interns were in the back office working on finances and tax-related items.鈥�

鈥淚t was pretty awesome going back and seeing people who had helped prepare me for my career, polishing my r茅sum茅 and interview style, among other things.鈥� Khaimov also received help through the Harvey L. Young 鈥�59 Family Scholarship in Accounting, graduating magna cum laude in 2006.

Today, Khaimov is a real estate tax partner at global accounting, tax, and advisory firm EisnerAmper. He also serves as a director-at-large for the 可乐视频 Alumni Association, regularly returning to speak with students and offer the same kind of guidance he once sought.

When asked what advice he gives prospective business students, he doesn鈥檛 hesitate. 鈥淗ard work matters. Proactiveness matters even more,鈥� says Khaimov. He stresses that, especially in accounting, what students learn in class truly follows them into their careers. He also says that employers can teach technical details, 鈥渂ut they can鈥檛 teach work ethic or initiative.鈥� Those qualities, which he sees consistently in 可乐视频 students, are what set them apart.

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Pursuing a business administration degree in finance, Edwards juggled one or two classes while working full-time, taking semesters off to meet financial demands. She says visits to the Student Activities, Involvement, and Leadership (SAIL) Center helped her with a tight-knit staff that included Afro-Caribbean women who understood her experiences and championed her goals. They guided her through funding processes for the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) club, for which she was president, and encouraged her to stay involved in campus activities. 鈥淭he women at SAIL kept me focused,鈥� says Edwards. 鈥淚 could tell everyone there wanted the best for me. They saw that I was definitely driven and had tenacity. They made themselves available for me any time I needed guidance or had questions.鈥�

In addition to SAIL, Edwards found support from staff and counselors at the Magner Career Center. She shared that they were instrumental in helping her obtain internships that aligned with her career goals. Her first was at Playfair Planning, an independent financial firm based in Brooklyn that provides holistic financial planning. She then interned at the NYC Small Business Resource Network run by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Bloomberg L.P. came next鈥攁n internship that led directly to a full-time offer once she graduated. Edwards worked in financial products, analytics, and sales while there, and also served as a campus ambassador, helping to recruit fellow 可乐视频 students for internships at Bloomberg.

A stint in the Consumer Insight and Marketing Department at Black Entertainment Television (BET) Media Group rounded out Edwards鈥� internship portfolio before she joined Bloomberg full time in June 2019. Most of her internships would not have been possible without stipends鈥攁 Magner Career Center stipend, a Robert J. Sisti Memorial Internship (overseen by the 可乐视频 Foundation)鈥攁nd scholarships from the New York chapter of and the CUNY Mexican Studies Institute, the latter of which paid for Edwards鈥� final year of college.

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Housed in the Murray Koppelman School of Business鈥擝rooklyn鈥檚 only business school accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)鈥攖he program offers a rigorous, industry鈥慳ligned curriculum available fully online (100% asynchronous) or in person. Graduates will be prepared to step into high鈥慽mpact roles such as financial analyst, portfolio manager, investment consultant, risk manager, and fintech specialist. With this launch, 可乐视频 joins Baruch College as the only CUNY institutions offering an M.S. in finance.

Accessible, Flexible, and Connected to the Heart of Finance

With one of New York鈥檚 most competitive tuition rates, the program provides an affordable pathway for students looking to advance in or pivot into finance. Learners can choose the format that fits their lives and study from anywhere online or attend classes at 可乐视频鈥檚 downtown Manhattan location at 25 Broadway (7th Floor) just steps from Wall Street. The proximity to the world鈥檚 financial capital opens doors to networking, mentorship, and career opportunities.

Led by a Scholar Shaping the Field

The creation of this new STEM鈥慸esignated program was led by Professor Seungho Baek, Finance Department program director and a widely published expert in financial economics. His research spans stock market behavior, empirical asset pricing, macroeconomic shocks, and risk management, including influential work on market volatility during the COVID鈥�19 era. Baek also founded the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society chapter at 可乐视频 and serves as deputy executive officer of the Ph.D. program in economics at the CUNY Graduate Center.

鈥淭he new M.S. in finance at 可乐视频 is designed to meet the evolving demands of today鈥檚 financial industry by combining rigorous theory with real鈥憌orld, data鈥慸riven applications,鈥� Baek said. 鈥淎s a one鈥憏ear, STEM鈥慸esignated program with flexible online and in鈥憄erson options, it provides an accessible and affordable pathway for students to advance into high鈥慽mpact roles in finance. Our AACSB鈥慳ccredited curriculum and Chartered Financial Analyst, {CFA} Institute affiliation ensure that graduates are exceptionally well prepared for both professional practice and long鈥憈erm career growth.鈥�

A CFA鈥慉ligned Curriculum

The Department of Finance is proudly affiliated with the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program (UAP)鈥攁 distinction held within CUNY only by 可乐视频 and Baruch College. Students preparing for the CFA exam may apply for exclusive CFA scholarship opportunities through the program, further strengthening their professional trajectory.

鈥淭he affiliation with the CFA Institute听UAP reflects the growing strength and national relevance of finance education at the Murray Koppelman School of Business听at 可乐视频,鈥� said Koppelman Interim Dean James Lynch. 鈥淢ost importantly, it creates meaningful pathways for our students, not only academically but professionally, through scholarship opportunities and preparation for one of the most respected credentials in the investment profession.鈥�

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At 可乐视频, it was spring, and everything was alive, the landscape vibrant green. People were everywhere. He talked to students hanging out on the quads.

Asatryan moved to the United States from his native Armenia in 2016 after completing military service there, 鈥渙n the Fourth of July, of all dates, although not on purpose,鈥� he says.听As a new immigrant, he had no idea how higher education worked in the United States; he visited 可乐视频 on the advice of a friend. 鈥淕oing on instinct,鈥� he says. He was excited by what he saw. The school felt right, so he applied and was accepted.

Instinct would carry him only so far, however. With no idea what he wanted to major in, Asatryan took his time; he cites access to the wide variety of programs and courses at the college and the time he got to explore them as the reasons for his success in choosing a major. He settled on a B.B.A. in international business鈥攚hich made sense to him, given his European background鈥攚ith a minor in personal finance.

For Asatryan, instinct and research were two crucial factors in choosing the right school and gaining the right degree; another was the faculty.

鈥淚 was dreading taking an English course and [adjunct lecturer] Adam Bangser was such a great guy. He was actively interested in my background and pushed me to write even when it wasn鈥檛 relevant to the material that we were studying,鈥� he says.

Asatryan credits Cindy Pham, associate professor of managing, marketing, and entrepreneurship, with helping him make the most of his time at 可乐视频.

鈥淧rofessor Pham is incredible. She is very much invested in every student’s life. She inspired me to听knock on doors and ask questions, look for programs, explore opportunities.鈥� She even motivated him to revive a chapter of the International Business Association club. He also became a peer mentor.

According to Asatryan, stellar academic programs and top-notch faculty will still only get you an education and a degree but not always show you what to do with them. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 part of the risk,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou want the education, it鈥檚 an investment in your future, but you need to know where you can go with that degree.鈥� You also need to gain real-life experience through internships. Asatryan completed internships at Amazon, the landscaping and architecture company EKLA at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, digital financial media outlet Blockworks, and New York State Senator Kevin S. Parker鈥檚 office, which was funded by a Magner Career Center stipend.

He enjoyed all of them. 鈥淭hey helped me gain confidence and be open to jobs not directly related to my major,鈥� he says.

Working for senator doing ghostwriting, digital marketing, and campaign management was especially rewarding.

鈥淧art of my job was trying to get the word out about resources during the pandemic鈥攆oods, supplies, healthcare鈥攖o the senator鈥檚 Brooklyn constituents, particularly in the Flatbush area. It was wonderful work and a great opportunity thanks to 可乐视频,鈥� he says. The internship was a crash course in public relations that Asatryan took with him to his present job.

Today, he works as an account manager at Cognito, a global public relations and marketing agency specializing in finance, sustainability, and technology.

鈥淲e help organizations tell the right stories, build credibility with the media, and provide trusted counsel,鈥� says Asatryan. 鈥淚t’s a fascinating job because every day there is something new that is happening, and you are working with so many experts鈥� chief economists, CTOs, CEOs, founders鈥攊t鈥檚 nonstop learning. A big part of my role is to take complicated, complex topics within finance and technology and simplify them into stories people actually understand.鈥�

Asatryan, who will be participating in an admissions event for prospective business students on February 19, has this advice for those who are thinking about 可乐视频:

鈥淒o your research, make the necessary appointments with admissions if you need to, but also, visit the campus, visit the library, which is terrific,鈥� he says. 鈥淪pend time by the lily pond. Look around, talk with current students, and see how it feels to be there.鈥�

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The Honors Senior Thesis Colloquium brings together students from four honors programs who work closely with faculty mentors from all five schools at 可乐视频. Over the course of a year, students design and carry out original research projects that culminate in senior theses spanning a wide range of disciplines.

Of the 27 students whose proposals were accepted, 13 have听indicated听their intention to present their research at the 2026 NCUR conference, which will be held in Richmond, Virginia.听Of the students听who听submitted听proposals, 20 were from听the School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences,听three听from听the听School听of听Humanities听and Social Sciences,听two听from听the听Koppelman School of Business,听and听two听from the School of Visual,听Media听and Performing Arts.听The Honors Academy expressed its gratitude to department chairs and deans across the college for their crucial financial support, which is helping make student participation in the conference possible.

NCUR is widely regarded as the premier venue for undergraduate research in North America, drawing top students and faculty from public and private colleges and universities. Acceptance to the conference is highly selective, and students present their work alongside peers from leading institutions across the country.

Participation in NCUR offers significant academic and professional benefits for 可乐视频 students. Beyond the opportunity to formally present their research, students gain valuable experience engaging in scholarly dialogue with fellow undergraduates and faculty from other institutions. These interactions often deepen students鈥� sense of belonging within the academic community and strengthen their confidence as emerging scholars.

The Honors Academy congratulates the students and their faculty mentors on this extraordinary accomplishment and looks forward to their representation of 可乐视频 at the 2026 National Conference on Undergraduate Research.

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During the presentation, Uctum delivered a comprehensive economic briefing offering a clear assessment of national economic conditions, emerging risks, and long-term policy challenges facing lawmakers.

Uctum reported that the U.S. economy continues to grow at a steady pace and is outperforming most other advanced economies. Gross domestic product remains above its long-run potential, reflecting resilience following the pandemic. However, she cautioned that the post-pandemic recovery is losing momentum and that growth has become increasingly uneven across households and industries.

Central to her testimony was evidence of a K-shaped recovery, in which higher-income households and technology-intensive sectors continue to expand while lower-income workers and traditional industries lag behind. Although overall consumption remains strong, Uctum noted that it is largely driven by affluent households. Consumer sentiment has fallen to historic lows across income groups, and wage growth for lower-income workers has slowed markedly since the pandemic, contributing to rising inequality.

On business investment, Uctum emphasized that private investment outside the technology sector remains weak despite corporate tax incentives and elevated stock market valuations. She explained that firms are constrained less by borrowing costs than by excess productive capacity, while investment growth remains concentrated in technology, software, and intellectual property.

Addressing monetary policy, Uctum indicated that current interest rates are broadly consistent with economic fundamentals. While financial markets anticipate rate cuts, she noted that persistent inflation and a relatively tight labor market provide limited justification for near-term easing.

Uctum also highlighted mounting fiscal sustainability concerns. U.S. government debt, already elevated before the pandemic, has risen further and is on an unsustainable path under current policies. Nevertheless, she explained that strong global demand for U.S. Treasury securities鈥攄riven by foreign investors, geopolitical uncertainty, and growing demand from digital finance firms鈥攈as so far prevented sharp increases in long-term interest rates.

Addressing concerns about the impact of AI, she warned that the AI-driven labor market disruptions are already affecting young and entry-level workers, particularly in the technology sector.听 On a positive note, however, she concluded by pointing to U.S. global leadership in artificial intelligence as a source of long-term optimism, which is also reflected in companies’ investment in the industry.

You can read the report here.

听

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When ChatGPT launched in 2022, few expected that a simple text box would trigger a global debate about artificial intelligence. Today, AI is no longer a novelty; it鈥檚 a force reshaping how we learn, create, and work. At 可乐视频, we鈥檙e committed to meeting this moment with thoughtfulness and integrity鈥攅quipping our students and faculty with the knowledge, tools, and ethical foundation they need to navigate and lead an AI-driven world.

Designing the Future Together

This fall, 可乐视频 convened 32 students, staff, faculty members, alumni, and industry partners for a one-day visioning workshop focused on career readiness in the age of AI. The workshop, structured as a charrette, invited participants to co-design a framework for how 可乐视频 should respond to the rapid evolution of this technology.

A charrette is more than a meeting鈥攊t鈥檚 a creative, inclusive process that brings diverse voices together to tackle complex problems. Led by the National Charrette Institute, the session marked a critical first step in understanding the scope of AI鈥檚 impact and the need for sustained, cross-sector collaboration.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs April Bedford explains, 鈥淥ur goal is to ensure AI serves as a meaningful complement, and not a substitute, for human scholarship and instruction. Faculty are developing course materials that include clear guidelines on the responsible use of generative AI tools, along with expectations for transparency and disclosure. This empowers students and faculty to engage ethically and thoughtfully with emerging technologies while preserving the integrity of academic work.鈥�

Participants in the charette discuss AI.

What We Learned

The conversations revealed urgency about AI鈥檚 role in education and society. Participants noted that even middle school students now understand concepts like 鈥渉umanizers鈥濃�攖ools that make AI-generated text sound more natural. They agreed that critical thinking is more essential than ever and that 可乐视频 must help students become creators, not just consumers, of technology.

Career readiness emerged as a priority, with calls for strategies that span departments and embed AI literacy into core learning. The emphasis shifted from product to process: understanding how to think, not just what to produce. Participants warned against complacency鈥擜I is not infallible, and without understanding how it works, educators and students risk misusing it.

Grounded in Empathy

Faculty stressed that AI integration must be rooted in human values.

Norman Eng, a doctoral lecturer in childhood, bilingual, and special education, put it this way: 鈥淲ith AI, we probably won鈥檛 go wrong if we focus on the experiences, motivations, and feelings of our students鈥攅specially those marginalized by this technology.鈥� Quoting Jurassic Park鈥檚 Dr. Ian Malcolm, he added, 鈥溾�榊our scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn鈥檛 stop to think if they should.鈥� It鈥檚 no different with AI. We want our students to question and reflect on the 鈥榮hould.鈥欌��

Eng advocates embedding digital literacy and AI ethics into every course: 鈥淎I has shifted education toward process and performance. Instead of grading lesson plans, we analyze and improve AI-generated ones. Students develop meta-learning skills鈥攍earning how to learn鈥攕o they can adapt and thrive. Ultimately, it鈥檚 not AI itself, but how students use it, that will define their success.鈥�

Norman Eng

Practical Leadership

Mariya Gluzman, an instructional designer at the 可乐视频 Library & Academic IT Department and champion of AI literacy, leads practicums for staff and faculty to explore AI tools for course design and assessment.

鈥淭he reality is that AI is already part of the academic landscape and students are using it, often without proper guidance. Many industries are rapidly adopting generative AI. Given who we serve as a public university and our mission, it鈥檚 crucial we help our students succeed in today鈥檚 job market. They need to be just as prepared as applicants from brand-name colleges who鈥檝e had every opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology,鈥� said Gluzman.

Mariya Gluzman leading a workshop on AI for staff and faculty.

Training Creators, Not Consumers

For students, AI offers opportunities to build practical skills.

Anna Belenko, a computer science major, recently attended a hackathon at Columbia University, where her team built an AI agent prototype in 24 hours鈥攚inning $2,000 in company credits and earning the 鈥淏est AI Agent Use鈥� award.

As president of the Computer Science Club, she鈥檚 now organizing a 可乐视频 hackathon for the spring semester. 鈥淲e need to use AI tools to empower students鈥攁nd give them the freedom to become creators of AI, not just consumers,鈥� Belenko said. 鈥淎s a computer science student, it鈥檚 essential to be AI literate, especially in a field that鈥檚 evolving so quickly.鈥�

Looking Ahead

As AI continues to redefine education and work, 可乐视频 is not only preparing students to navigate the AI era, but to shape it. Success will belong to those who can adapt, reflect, and lead with both technical skills and human insight.

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Held in partnership with the New York Jobs CEO Council and attended by more than 160 people, the student-focused talk kicked off with a dynamic introduction by the council鈥檚 executive director, Kiersten Barnet. Before the main discussion, faculty from 可乐视频鈥檚 Koppelman School of Business hosted an insightful roundtable, where they exchanged ideas with Griggs, Barnet, and Anderson on key topics in accounting and business strategy. The event also included a workshop for students with New York Jobs CEO Council representatives that focused on jobs readiness.

Attended by more than 160 people, the Presidential Lecture Series event on October 23 with Paul Griggs centered on the critical skills that drive professional success and how leadership is evolving in today鈥檚 ever-changing workforce.

Griggs began the main lecture by introducing PwC鈥攐ne of the largest professional services firms in the world, employing more than 370,000 people across 150 countries and territories. He explained the firm鈥檚 three major practice areas: assurance, tax, and consulting, each powered by professionals from diverse disciplines, including accounting, data science, and engineering.

Reflecting on his own journey, Griggs shared how he came to accounting 鈥渂y accident.鈥� Growing up in a small South Carolina town, he initially aspired to become a doctor, until a hospital visit made him reconsider. 鈥淚 realized quickly I wasn鈥檛 cut out for medicine,鈥� he joked. Instead, he turned to accounting鈥斺�渢he language of business鈥濃�攂ecause it offered stability and opportunity. That 鈥渁ccident,鈥� he said, led to a 30-year career at PwC that opened doors he never imagined possible.

Throughout the conversation, Griggs emphasized that accounting provides a foundation for limitless career paths. 鈥淥nce you understand the language of business, you can do anything,鈥� he said, noting that many PwC alumni now lead in industries from banking to health care.

A major theme of the discussion was technology and artificial intelligence. Griggs urged students not to fear technological change but to 鈥減lay, experiment, and explore.鈥� He noted that PwC professionals already integrate large language models and AI tools into their daily work. 鈥淎I won鈥檛 replace your job,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut someone who knows AI might.鈥�

President Anderson steered the conversation toward soft skills, asking what qualities matter most in the future of accounting.

Paul Griggs encouraged students in attendance to believe in themselves and take chances: 鈥淪ay yes, even when you鈥檙e not sure you鈥檙e ready. You belong in every room you walk into.鈥�

Griggs鈥檚 response was passionate and personal: 鈥淵ou already have what it takes鈥攇rit, attitude, curiosity, and the ability to connect with people.鈥� He reminded students that success is built through hard work and persistence, quoting Kobe Bryant鈥檚 philosophy that 鈥渢he journey itself is the dream.鈥�

He also spoke candidly about failure and resilience, recounting career disappointments that ultimately led him to his current leadership role. 鈥淪ometimes you don鈥檛 get what you think you want,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut that鈥檚 often because something better is waiting.鈥�

When asked about mentorship, Griggs credited both professional and personal mentors鈥攆rom professors to parents鈥攆or shaping his journey. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e already a mentor and a mentee,鈥� he told students. 鈥淧eople are watching you and learning from you every day.鈥�

Griggs also fielded questions from students. Closing the event, he encouraged them to believe in themselves and take chances: 鈥淪ay yes, even when you鈥檙e not sure you鈥檙e ready. You belong in every room you walk into.鈥�

Watch the entire lecture .

About the Presidential Lecture Series at 可乐视频

The Presidential Lecture Series features 可乐视频 President Michelle J. Anderson in conversation with high-profile leaders, exposing students and the extended college community to inspiring ideas, courageous leadership, and models of civic engagement and civil discourse.

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Held on September 30 at the Aon New York headquarters with a guest introduction by Christine Williams, Aon Northeast Regional Leader, the event brought together students, alumni, faculty, and professionals eager to explore how cross-sector partnerships can help drive meaningful, student-centered change.

Together, Olson and Anderson addressed a central question: How can educators and employers collaborate to prepare the next generation for a future defined by both uncertainty and opportunity?

鈥淓ach stakeholder plays a role in helping an organization reach its goals,鈥� said Olson. 鈥淚n higher education, that means developing real relationships with industry and staying responsive to change.鈥�

Purpose as a Unifying Force

The conversation emphasized the power of purpose in aligning diverse stakeholders鈥攆aculty, students, alumni, donors, and employers鈥攁round a shared mission: student success.

鈥淲hat do we mean by making a difference?鈥� Olson asked. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about elevating student success to a level where it commands attention and resources. That鈥檚 where employers and educators can come together.鈥�

President Anderson highlighted the impact of Aon鈥檚 commitment to higher education and the students 可乐视频 serves.

鈥淎on鈥檚 dedication to fostering student success is truly inspiring,鈥� she said. 鈥淔ew companies demonstrate this level of devotion.鈥�

Aaron K. Olson, Executive Vice President at Aon, and 可乐视频 President Michelle J. Anderson address the audience at the Presidential Lecture Series event on September 30.

Preparing Students for a Changing Workforce

As artificial intelligence and automation reshape the job landscape, Olson stressed the need for closer collaboration between employers and colleges to ensure graduates are prepared for tomorrow鈥檚 roles.

鈥溈衫质悠� has leaders who are focused on this outcome,鈥� Olson said. 鈥淏usinesses should prioritize schools with a track record of producing qualified graduates鈥攚ithout saddling them with overwhelming debt.鈥�

可乐视频 is already leading in this space. Consistently ranked among the top institutions nationwide for economic mobility, the college delivers a high return on investment and opens doors to meaningful, upwardly mobile careers.

鈥淪ocial mobility may sound academic,鈥� Olson noted, 鈥渂ut businesses understand ROI. Look at schools like 可乐视频 that deliver real value.鈥�

Real Students, Real Impact

The evening featured powerful stories from students whose lives have been transformed by these partnerships.

可乐视频 student Damir Shavkatov, who is pursuing a psychology major and a marketing minor, shared his journey from first-generation college student to intern at Aon.

“My father used to drive us around Manhattan and say, 鈥極ne day, I hope you work in one of these buildings.鈥� Now I do,鈥� Shavkatov said. 鈥淒oing an internship at Aon was a game-changer for me. Even though my internship is over, I still carry my Aon badge in my backpack every day.鈥�

He credited 可乐视频 for providing opportunities he might not have found elsewhere.

鈥淚f I went to a different school, I would probably have stayed behind the scenes. I wouldn’t necessarily have been a student that the professors really engaged with since a lot of schools, it’s about prestige, where the student came from. But 可乐视频 has shaped me. And here I am on the 30th floor. 鈥�

Aon鈥檚 engagement goes far beyond internships. The company helped establish a risk management and insurance curriculum at 可乐视频 and actively recruits from its diverse, talented student population.

Aaron K. Olson, Executive Vice President at Aon and author of “Strategy and Change: Finding Opportunity in Disruption Through Insight, Choice, and Risk,” signs a copy of his book for a student.

Advice for the Next Generation

During the Q&A, a student asked what skills emerging professionals should prioritize. Olson鈥檚 answer was simple yet profound: 鈥淚nvest in relationship-building,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e watch for students who are proactive鈥攚ho go out of their way to connect.鈥�

As the evening concluded, one message stood out: while disruption is inevitable, it can be a force for good when approached with shared purpose, strong partnerships, and an unwavering focus on student success.

Watch this Presidential Lecture Series event .

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