support eligible institutions of higher education in expanding their capacity to serve low-income students by strengthening their academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability. To qualify, an institution must have at least 50 percent of its degree students receiving need-based assistance or a substantial number of enrolled students receiving Pell Grants, in addition to low educational and general expenditures. 麻豆传媒映画 has demonstrated a deep commitment to the enrollment and upward mobility of low-income and first-generation students, evidenced through its undergraduate population鈥�33 percent of undergrad students are Pell recipients, and of the undergraduate students who provided their parents鈥� highest degree, 45 percent identified as first-generation college students.

麻豆传媒映画 Ascend will largely support low-income students and help them become more successful in college and in their future careers. 鈥溌槎勾接郴� is well known for the social mobility of its graduates,鈥� said Andrea Ward, PhD, vice provost for research and libraries, who led the development of this grant. 鈥淭hrough this program, 麻豆传媒映画 will continue to show its commitment to working with students to not only succeed in the classroom but also once they graduate.鈥�

The program focuses on three areas:

• Transforming the advising system for first-year students, providing a more holistic experience that incorporates faculty and staff training on how to effectively support and engage with today鈥檚 students, helping them to transition more easily to college, move into their desired major and continue through graduation.
• Reworking and augmenting 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 First-Year Seminar program, an existing requirement for nearly all first-year students that serves as a yearlong orientation program. Students will undergo evaluations to develop skills and learn the critical academic, behavioral and financial competencies necessary for postsecondary persistence and self-sufficiency. Mentorship is built into the plan; upper-class students will serve as mentors to first-year students, and alumni will be invited to speak to students about internships and career opportunities during a Career Day at 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Manhattan Center.
• AI-ready workforce development, helping to build AI literacy and develop AI skills necessary for students鈥� academic disciplines and careers. AI training will also be provided to faculty from both a teaching and a research perspective, teaching them the value that AI brings to an educational experience. As part of this effort, a new AI Cross-Disciplinary Certificate program will also be developed by 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Innovation Center.

Through these strategic efforts, 麻豆传媒映画 aims to elevate first-year persistence, accelerate on-time graduation, expand long-term degree completion and advance educational equity by eliminating the historical achievement gap between Pell-eligible and non-Pell students.

麻豆传媒映画 Ascend is a collaborative effort led by Louise Geddes, PhD, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and co-led by Salvatore Petrilli 鈥�05, EdD, senior associate dean for academic operations and general education, Lee Stemkoski, PhD, professor of computer science and mathematics and director of the Innovation Center, and Debra Kyriacou, executive director of the Office of Academic Services and Retention. It is expected that the program will result in higher retention rates for first-year students and improvements in the four-year graduation rate, in addition to decreasing the gaps between students receiving Pell awards and those not receiving Pell awards.

鈥淭his grant offers us the opportunity to enact a holistic advising practice to suit each student鈥檚 journey at 麻豆传媒映画,鈥� said Interim Dean Geddes. 鈥淚t can help students, many of whom might be the first in their family to attend college, in finding their feet at the institution. Our goal is to support all students as they learn how to find their passion, hone their skills and develop their future careers.鈥�

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In 1938, 麻豆传媒映画, then open only to women students, became one of the first American colleges to establish a university dance program, founded and run by internationally renowned modern dance pioneer Ruth St. Denis. At that time, dance was typically grouped alongside physical education. Today, 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 conservatory-level dance program prepares students to become professional dancers and dance educators. Recent dance MFA grad Frida Molina 鈥�23 is now performing with some of pop鈥檚 biggest stars鈥攊ncluding Bad Bunny.

Modern dance was the focus of the department in its early days.

First Scientific Computer Minor

No university in New York state had a scientific computing minor until Fall 2019. That is when 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 program, developed with the U.S. Department of Energy鈥檚 Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York, addressed a shortcoming that had long plagued science undergrads: an inability to write code for highlevel research. 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 scientific computing program gives students majoring in sciences the computer and data analysis skills needed for an advanced degree in their discipline or for work in a research setting.

An 麻豆传媒映画 student monitors a screen at Long Island鈥檚 Brookhaven National Laboratory.

First Private Coeducational University on Long Island

麻豆传媒映画 holds the distinction of becoming the first private coeducational university on Long Island, breaking ground in Garden City in 1928. The first building raised was beautiful Blodgett Hall, still proudly standing almost 100 years later.

Designed by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead and White, Blodgett Hall today is home to five academic departments.

First University-Based School of Psychology

Professor Gordon F. Derner, PhD, who founded the school in 1972.

Psychology majors at 麻豆传媒映画 build on the ingenuity and compassion of the late Gordon F. Derner, PhD. The longtime professor founded the nation鈥檚 first university-based professional school of psychology in 1972 as well as 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 clinical training program in 1951. For more than 55 years, the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology has earned international recognition for its innovations in psychology and related disciplines. 鈥淚 believe that the artificial schism between mainstream psychology and psychoanalytic theory has been detrimental to both,鈥� observed Professor Robert Mendelsohn, PhD. 鈥淚 appreciate that the Derner School is one place where the integration of psychoanalysis into mainstream psychology occurs every day.鈥�

One of the First College Radio Stations in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

On the air in 1982.

础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 groundbreaking student-run station, WBAU, is one of the only college radio stations cited by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The station was one of the first to give significant airtime to hip-hop. In the early 1980s, program director Bill Stephney gave a platform to 麻豆传媒映画 classmate and popular Long Island DJ Carlton Douglas Ridenhour 鈥�84, 鈥�13 (Hon.), on his Mr. Bill Show. The world knows Ridenhour by his professional name, Chuck D.

First in Nursing Leadership

麻豆传媒映画 made history by establishing the first Central Collegiate School of Nursing in New York state. In response to an urgent need for nurses during World War II, this became one of the largest collegiate units of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps. Thirty-nine years later, 麻豆传媒映画 became the first on Long Island to offer a doctoral program for nurses. It remains one of the few in the state. 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 nursing program is now among the highest ranked in the country; the undergraduate program jumped an unprecedented 32 points in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

麻豆传媒映画 had one of the largest collegiate units of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps.

First in Women鈥檚 Lacrosse Championships

础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 women鈥檚 lacrosse team was the first (and currently only) in NCAA Division II history to win three straight national championships (2009 to 2011). If that wasn鈥檛 dynastic enough, after a two-year break, the team won four more in six years.

The 2009 National Champions celebrate.

First in Student Success for Learning Differences

Professor Emeritus Fred Barbaro, EdD, founder of the Learning Resource Program.

The Learning Resource Program, the first of its kind at a university, was founded in 1979 by the late Professor Emeritus Fred Barbaro, EdD, who taught in the 麻豆传媒映画 School of Social Work. It allows students with 鈥渋nvisible disabilities鈥� such as ADHD and dyslexia to thrive in college. Around 100 students annually are enrolled in this life-changing program. They have weekly sessions with a learning specialist, receive assistance with career planning, and participate in group and individual sessions with a clinical social worker.

Nearly 40 years later, 麻豆传媒映画 unveiled the first sensory room at a college or university for students on the autism spectrum as part of its nationally recognized Bridges to 麻豆传媒映画 program. A color-changing hurricane tube assists with emotional regulation, weighted balls and blankets offer sensory stimulation and low lighting offers a calm respite from the stress of college life.

The next firsts for 麻豆传媒映画 await. Regardless of whether it鈥檚 in academics, entertainment, athletics or student access, one thing is certain: 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 impact will travel far beyond Garden City.

麻豆传媒映画 was the first college or university with sensory room for students on the spectrum.

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Faculty members Professor Robert Siegfried, PhD; Professor Lee Stemkoski, PhD; Assistant Teaching Professor Kristin Pepper; and Kees Leune, PhD, associate professor and chair of mathematics and computer science, helped Erica build both technical confidence and a collaborative approach to learning.

Erica graduated with departmental honors as a computer science major. While working on their degree, they held student worker positions at Swirbul Library, the Office of Information Technology and in the Mathematics and Computer Science department. They also interned with the Village of Garden City.

Soon after graduation, Erica was selected for the Microsoft Research Data Science Summer School, a program serving students from diverse, nontraditional and underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. Their team studied customer loyalty using public data and presented its findings at Microsoft Research New York and national diversity-in-computing conferences. Erica then returned to 麻豆传媒映画 to support the University鈥檚 analytics and data-visualization work before earning an MS in computer science from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Erica joined The Walt Disney Company first through internships in data science, management science and data engineering and has been with the company full time since early 2020. As a senior data engineer, they partner across product and decision-science teams to define data needs, build pipelines and support the infrastructure that informs decisions throughout the company.

Erica also creates opportunities for others in technology. They were a technologist representative of Disney at the Grace Hopper Celebration in 2019 and, since 2024, have helped lead the Disney Data & Analytics Women Award experience, which brings four women in analytics to the company鈥檚 annual conference to present research and build professional relationships.

麻豆传媒映画 recognizes Erica for technical leadership, career achievement, and sustained work to widen access and belonging in computing and analytics.

Member of 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚

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It was a day of transitions, and a happy one.

Interim President Christopher Storm, PhD, who will be returning to his job as provost on June 1 with new leadership responsibilities as senior executive vice president of academic affairs, expressed sincere thanks for the support he received over the past year.

President-Elect Michael Balboni 鈥�81, JD, enthusiastically greeted the graduating seniors as his 鈥渇ellow alumni鈥� and offered his success as an indication of how far an 麻豆传媒映画 degree can take them.

And the 1,165 members of the Class of 2026 closed the book on their undergraduate years and entered the next phase of their lives.

Commencement by the Numbers and Degrees

Just as it is every year, there was no 鈥渢ypical鈥� 麻豆传媒映画 graduate. Six bachelor鈥檚 degree recipients are 19 years old. The oldest is 59 and is one of six graduates who are in their 50s. Thirty-five are over 30 years old, many of whom earned degrees in fully online or hybrid programs designed for working adults from 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 College of Professional and Continuing Studies.

Diplomas were awarded in 51 different degree programs, reflecting the wide variety of academic and career interests of students in the Class of 2026.

The largest group of graduates were the 299 students who were awarded Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing. 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 College of Nursing and Public Health is perennially ranked as a U.S. News & World Best College for Undergraduate Nursing Programs. It is also a U.S. News Best Nursing School for 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degree and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs as well, and one of only 13 institutions designated as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing.

Psychology was the next-most-popular degree, with 85 graduates. U.S. News & World Report includes 麻豆传媒映画’s Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology in its rankings of Best Undergraduate Psychology Programs, Best Psychology Grad Schools and Best Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs.

Biology, a favorite major for premedical and preprofessional students, had the third-largest group of graduates, with 67 students earning their degrees. Rounding out the top five were two more programs in the healthcare and wellness fields鈥�health sciences, with 52 students earning their Bachelor of Science, and physical education, with 51 graduates.

Top-10 degrees also included accelerated nursing, management, computer science, marketing and finance.

Graduates From Near and Far

While most of this year鈥檚 graduates are from New York, members of the Class of 2026 came to 麻豆传媒映画 from 24 other states. Students from New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania were the largest out-of-state contingents.

The class also included 86 international students from 42 countries, including 10 from India, seven from Pakistan, five from Mongolia and five from Vietnam.

Hussein Ali Rifath, president of 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Student Government Association, celebrated the global character of the Class of 2026 in his Commencement address. Rifath, whose family is from Bangladesh, congratulated the international students and the large number of graduates with backgrounds in other lands in a dozen languages. Rifath graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 average and a degree in political science and will spend next year in Spain on a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant scholarship.

A Valuable Degree

The experience of recent graduates shows that an 麻豆传媒映画 degree is a ticket to a well-paying job. In our most recent alumni survey, graduates of our Class of 2024 reported an average salary of $76,450. Ninety-two percent were employed, continuing their education or participating in an internship within one year of graduation.

The successful outcomes of 麻豆传媒映画 graduates have attracted national attention. Forbes, which bases its America鈥檚 Top Colleges rankings on the ability to produce successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds, ranked 麻豆传媒映画 as the top private university on Long Island. So did The Wall Street Journal, whose rankings reflect how well colleges prepare their graduates for financial success.

Words to Live By

While this year鈥檚 graduates walked away with their degrees and their career plans, they also took along some advice from two 麻豆传媒映画 alumni whose careers prove their point.

President-Elect Balboni, who grew up in Garden City, rode his skateboard to campus on his first day at 麻豆传媒映画 with plans of going to medical school. Instead, he went to law school, became a litigator, a state legislator, a business executive and now a college president. What has that experience taught him?

鈥淵ou have no idea what the future will bring,鈥� he said. 鈥淟ife is not always going to be a straight line to where you鈥檙e going to wind up.鈥�

But he also gave listeners the key to his success. 鈥淢y career has always been a series of saying 鈥業鈥檒l try that.鈥欌��

Joseph W. Westphal 鈥�70, PhD, who received an honorary degree that day while also having the pleasure of seeing his granddaughter receive her 麻豆传媒映画 degree in nursing, echoed President-Elect Balboni鈥檚 message of life鈥檚 unpredictability and of opportunities taken advantage of.

After graduating from 麻豆传媒映画, he went to graduate school, became a professor and took academic leadership programs. 鈥淏ut it was government service that took me places I never imagined I would experience,鈥� he said, referring to diplomatic and high-level administrative appointments he received from Presidents Reagan, Clinton and Obama.

鈥淭he world belongs to those who are prepared not only to succeed, but to serve,鈥� he said, and he followed that with three challenges for graduates who want to follow that path:

鈥淭ake personal responsibility for your actions, your decisions and your impact.鈥�

鈥淏e honest and ethical, especially when it’s inconvenient.鈥�

鈥淏e thoughtful about where you can make the greatest difference.鈥�

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They range in age from 20 to 71 years old, came to 麻豆传媒映画 for graduate study from 20 states and 34 countries beyond our borders, and earned 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in 63 different programs. They are the 941 members of 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 graduate Class of 2026.

With 90 different graduate degree and certificate programs, 麻豆传媒映画 is committed to growing its number of offerings to meet the demands of today鈥檚 rapidly changing economy. This summer, the University is opening the doors of its new in New York City with a range of flexible programs for working adults.

The Four Most Popular Graduate Programs

The Master of Social Work program offered by 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 School of Social Work often graduates the largest group of 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degree recipients. This year was no different, as 183 students received their diplomas at the graduate Commencement ceremony on May 21.

The 67 graduates of the 4+1 Scholar Teacher Education Program (STEP), a five-year combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program that saves students a year of time and tuition, made up the second-largest group. The program, from the Ruth S. Ammon School of Education and Health Sciences, offers tracks in childhood, adolescent, and TESOL education.

The Robert B. Willumstad School of Business graduated the third- and fourth-largest groups of graduates. Sixty-two students earned their MBA this year, while 50 received their MS in Business Analytics.

础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology鈥攖he first university-based professional school of psychology鈥攇raduated the largest group of doctoral students, 23 in all. Sixteen students received their PhD in clinical psychology, and seven earned their PsyDs in school psychology.

A Global Group of Graduates

Students from 34 countries outside the United States came to 麻豆传媒映画 for their graduate education. The largest group, by far, is from India, with 117 graduates. The 11 students from Vietnam were the second largest group, followed by the 10 graduates from China. The 191 international students in the Class of 2026 also included scholars from as far away as Guyana, Cameroon, Egypt, Turkey, Georgia, Nepal, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

Stateside, the bulk of graduates are from New York and nearby New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Overall, the class included students from 20 states.

Strong U.S. News & World Report Rankings for Graduate Programs

The quality and reputation of 麻豆传媒映画 graduate programs were among the main draws for this year鈥檚 graduates. 麻豆传媒映画 programs are annually ranked by . Seven 麻豆传媒映画 programs are included in this year鈥檚 list:

• Best Nursing School: 惭补蝉迟别谤鈥檚
• Best Nursing School: Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Best Public Health School
• Best Psychology School
• Best Clinical Psychology Doctorate Programs
• Best School for Social Work
• Best Speech-Language Pathology Program
• Best Part-Time MBA Program

鈥淭hese latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report are a testament to the exceptional caliber of our faculty, the dedication of our students and the profound impact our alumni are making in healthcare and clinical settings,鈥� said Susan Dinan, PhD, 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 interim provost. 鈥淭he dramatic rise in our health program rankings, which are driven by peer assessment, demonstrates that our commitment to academic innovation and clinical excellence is recognized by our academic peers across the country.鈥�

麻豆传媒映画 Grad Programs Arrive in Manhattan

As early as next year, 麻豆传媒映画 will begin graduating students who earn their graduate degrees in New York City at the University鈥檚 new . A state-of-the-art, three-floor learning space located in the heart of Midtown at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 44th Street, the center will offer an initial group of eight graduate programs in in-demand career areas. Students will be able to choose from 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degree programs in artificial intelligence and machine learning, education, general psychology/human resource concentration, business administration (Flex MBA), social work, and creative writing, as well as doctoral programs in learning sciences and global higher education leadership. Students can also earn graduate certificates in business analytics and human resource management at the Manhattan Center; the academic credits earned are transferable to our master’s degree programs.

All programs will feature flexible schedules and evening classes to accommodate working adults. The University also introduced a special $10,000 Manhattan Advantage Award to provide financial support for students in the inaugural cohort to ensure they have the resources to pursue graduate studies that will help them become leaders of the modern workforce.

The expansion to Manhattan, the launch of new master’s degree and doctoral programs, and the accomplishments and vitality of the graduate Class of 2026 together reflect 麻豆传媒映画’s strategic commitment to graduate education and to the University’s growing strength in advanced studies.

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础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 innovative MS in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning program is coming to the new, state-of-the-art Manhattan Center in Fall 2026, expanding opportunities for students to advance their careers in tech, engineering, and other in-demand fields impacted by AI.

“A lot of people are looking to upskill and understand how their professionalization can remain relevant in an AI agent workforce,” said Anil Venkatesh, PhD, director of the program and associate professor of mathematics and computer science. “We wanted to offer this program at a place that would be convenient for working professionals, and the Manhattan Center made a lot of sense.”

By expanding this program to the new state-of-the-art facility, located just steps from Grand Central Station at Fifth Avenue and 44th Street, 麻豆传媒映画 is making it even easier for students to develop these career-defining skills, network with other forward thinkers, and explore job opportunities.

鈥淲e are expecting to see a lot of professionals from diverse job backgrounds who will bring some really interesting perspectives,” Dr. Venkatesh said. “That will only increase the overall engagement of courses.鈥�

The MS in AI and Machine Learning is just one of the programs in the first wave of 13 graduate and professional offerings coming to the Manhattan Center. Students can choose from degree and certificate programs in business, education, healthcare, psychology, and social work.

A world of career options

The AI program, which launched this year on 麻豆传媒映画’s Garden City campus, is designed to prepare the first generation of AI professionals for advanced careers in technology, government, healthcare, financial services, logistics, e-commerce, and virtually any other field. Current job titles include AI engineer, machine learning engineer, data scientist, data analyst, and business analyst.

Courses in the master’s degree program combine practical, real-world learning experiences with deep theoretical knowledge that can be applied to AI models鈥攏ot just now, but as technology evolves.

鈥淯ltimately, the theory of AI is not something that was just invented,” Dr. Venkatesh said. “It has existed for quite some time. And understanding that theory is going to make it so that you can plug and play with whatever new model or paradigm comes along.鈥�

The program is also built to adapt to new AI careers and applications as they continue to emerge. The program’s seminar, for example, is updated every year with new tools and input from speakers currently working in the industry. And Dr. Venkatesh鈥檚 course on artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms is consistently refreshed with the latest cutting-edge algorithms and best engineering practices.

As Dr. Venkatesh said, 鈥淲e’re both staying up-to-date with contemporary discoveries and innovations and incorporating foundational math and statistics that will be useful no matter where the industry goes.鈥�

Customizing AI education for different professions

AI isn鈥檛 only impacting technology companies and engineering careers. It鈥檚 being applied across sectors, including government, healthcare, and financial services.

鈥淲e鈥檝e had students who鈥檝e worked in programming-heavy disciplines,” Dr. Venkatesh said. 鈥淏ut we also expect to see folks with backgrounds in statistics as it relates to life sciences and healthcare because AI tools are tremendously valuable in those disciplines.”

To that end, Dr. Venkatesh makes a pointed effort to customize his Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Algorithms course for students’ professional goals.

鈥�When I assign projects, I explicitly invite students to counter-propose a different topic if there’s something specifically suited to their particular professionalization,” he said. “As long as it’s comparably challenging and relevant to the course, I accept the proposal.鈥�

Students responded enthusiastically to the invitation, proposing and carrying out research projects in healthcare, bioinformatics, sports analytics, financial services, and business analytics.

Thinking ahead to the fall, Dr. Venkatesh looks forward to welcoming the program鈥檚 first cohort to the Manhattan Center and continuing to teach as this exciting field evolves.

鈥淭he other professors and I who put this program together really love teaching it,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited by the format of the course and the type of student that we’re orienting toward. This is some of the most fun teaching we’ve had in a long time.鈥�

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Using AI in the Classroom鈥擶ith Caution

Anil Venkatesh, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, notes, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 use GenAI in my classroom because I don鈥檛 see how it can be used to improve the educational experience. However, I do view it as a useful tool for producing snippets of computer code that can be modified and tailored to a user鈥檚 needs. It鈥檚 also reasonably good at summarizing online technical resources. It鈥檚 possible that AI will help us make advances like automatically determining whether a mathematical proof is logically sound.鈥�

• Misconceptions: GenAI can鈥檛 be relied upon to do more complex data science tasks, as these usually don鈥檛 have a single right answer in the first place.
• Recommendations: Have fun with the tools, but if you find yourself using GenAI for tasks that you aren鈥檛 confident in performing yourself, that鈥檚 a sign that you should seek to improve your own skills in those areas as well.

Helping Students Understand the Limits of AI

Michael LaCombe, PhD, associate professor in the Department of History, and Academic Integrity Officer, explains, 鈥淚n an upper-level course where it can complement students鈥� work and they can appreciate the limitations of its output and the advantages of its speed and scope, I think it鈥檚 essential to show them how to use AI to accomplish course goals. Assignments that call for gathering and classifying information, generating ideas to pursue in one鈥檚 own research: These are areas in which it鈥檚 hard to imagine how we as faculty can continue to prohibit their use.鈥�

• Misconceptions: Critical and creative thinking鈥攐ur most important Gen Ed learning goals at 麻豆传媒映画鈥攔equire original thought, discussion and writing to develop and demonstrate. Students imagine GenAI helping when it鈥檚 really replacing the difficult work of thinking with a shortcut.
• Recommendations: The best course is transparency, as in the answers to these questions were generated with human intelligence only, unaided by AI. We should expect and require similar disclosures elsewhere in our lives.

Brian J. Stockman, PhD, professor in the Department of Chemistry, is optimistic, but raises a concern. 鈥淎I is making a huge impact in the structural biology field, and will continue to do so, especially in areas related to human health. I鈥檓 also using it in my classroom to teach students how to write tailored prompts and then to critically evaluate the AI-generated content. I think that it improves student learning when they have to do critical analysis of the output.鈥�

• Misconceptions: In our research, the most common misconception is that the AI-generated results are always correct. We鈥檙e designing ways to analyze the AI output to suggest which are the most likely to be correct, but we鈥檙e then testing the AI predictions in the laboratory in order to validate them.
• Recommendations: Embrace it, but take the time to critically analyze the output.

AI Is Creating a Business Revolution

MaryAnne Hyland, PhD, dean of the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, sees a major impact in her field. She explains, 鈥淎I is revolutionizing the business landscape. Many organizations are investing in AI and educating their employees about its applications. Using it for basic tasks, such as editing an email or drafting a social media post, is common. Some organizations are implementing more advanced applications, such as having AI identify data security risks.鈥�

• Misconceptions: While some jobs have been and will continue to be replaced by AI, the business world is increasingly seeking individuals who understand how to leverage it. Many roles will require the use of AI for enhanced efficiency and productivity. However, faculty often share stories of AI making incorrect calculations and fabricating research references. It鈥檚 critical for business students to learn how to use AI in their work, but they must also understand AI鈥檚 limitations.
• Recommendations: I encourage everyone to try using AI, as it can be a tremendous time-saver to help with everything from planning a vacation to writing text for a birthday card. But don鈥檛 trust everything provided by AI and avoid sharing personal information.

Embracing the Promise of AI

Sukun Li, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, believes that 鈥淎I will likely continue to increase efficiency, improve decision-making through predictive analytics and automate routine tasks. The broad adoption of AI tools will force educators to rethink assignment formats, enhance critical thinking skills and address the ethical implications of using AI in education. As an educator and AI researcher, I guide my students in understanding what it means and how to use it correctly or even create it.鈥�

• Misconceptions: Most AI systems require human oversight and input to work effectively. Some of my students believe it can help them complete their homework accurately and achieve good grades. But AI can make mistakes because it learns from data input by humans, particularly when that data is biased or incomplete.
• Recommendations: Don鈥檛 be afraid of the emergence of new technologies鈥攖hey exist to serve us. Let鈥檚 embrace these new tools, keep our minds open, and learn more about AI and how to use it properly.

Time-Saving, but Addictive

Damian A. Stanley, PhD, associate professor in the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, finds AI critical for data review. 鈥淚 use AI for things like data analysis; it鈥檚 a very efficient coder and can rapidly suggest new data analyses. It can do in a minute what might take me 45 minutes or more. For students who are exploring different ways of interacting with data, it can also be very helpful as a tutor, adapting to their level and preferred learning style. I鈥檝e also used it to help clinical psychology graduate students prepare for internship interviews by generating a reasonable set of questions targeted toward them for mock interviewing.鈥�

• Misconceptions: I worry about the addictive nature of AI chatbots due to their agreeable responses: They are almost always pleasant and supportive, unlike humans who may disagree or challenge us, which could hinder real-world social skills.
• Recommendations: I believe we should all get to know what it is, because it鈥檚 here to stay. From a psychological perspective, I would just urge caution against letting it replace social interaction.

This story was featured in the 2025 Issue of the 麻豆传媒映画 Magazine.

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Samuel Abrams: A Ninja With a BFA

Abrams always knew he wanted to work in the arts. But a trip to when he was 15 years old gave him a clear goal.

鈥淚 knew I wanted to work there as soon as I saw it,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y mom joked, 鈥業 am going to lose you to this place. You鈥檒l be working here.鈥欌��

His mom was right. Abrams is now in the craft department at Universal repairing the elaborate, hand-sculpted fixtures around the theme park. He works nights at various areas in the park, making sure everything is perfect for the next day鈥檚 guests.

鈥淲e鈥檙e like ninjas,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 work on the cool sculpture stuff in the day when the people are there.鈥�

Abrams works on fixtures in Universal Orlando鈥檚 newest theme park, Universal Epic Adventure, which opened last year. He鈥檚 worked on sculptures for rides like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, How To Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and Super Nintendo World, just to name a few. 鈥淚 work all over,鈥� he said. 鈥淐raft workers cover the entire park.鈥�

Abrams earned a BFA in Studio Art at 麻豆传媒映画. He credits the University for putting him on the path to the Universal job.

鈥淢y professors gave me the space to grow as an artist,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey let me work in whatever medium I wanted, even unconventional media.鈥�

He said his professors initially encouraged him to be a fine artist. 鈥淚 explained that I like the idea of gallery art, but I really wanted to make stuff for film and TV,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 wanted people to be able to touch my work and enjoy it.鈥� His professors supported his goal and helped him do more applied work, he said. 鈥淥nce they understood what I wanted, they helped me develop the skills I needed to get there.鈥�

With his professors鈥� support, his senior thesis was a collection of sculptures of imaginary creatures that won the University鈥檚 Thomas McNulty Award for Excellence in Sculpture. After graduation, Abrams did gig work for two years, making store displays and props for TV shows and movies around New York. He landed a staff position at Universal last fall, and he loves his work.

鈥淭his is my dream job,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f 麻豆传媒映画 didn鈥檛 let me have the freedom to do what I wanted, I wouldn鈥檛 have gotten the position I have now,鈥� Abrams said.

His mom doesn鈥檛 mind that, as she predicted, her son went to Florida to work at Universal. 鈥淚 get her free tickets to the park whenever she comes down to visit, so she forgives me,鈥� Abrams explained.

Daniel Hickey: 鈥淟earning to be independent and teach myself鈥�

Hickey is a technical designer for , where he works on the Zombies and Warzone modes of the popular video game Call of Duty. His mission there includes general programming and design work on quests in the game鈥檚 Zombies mode and on the seasonal updates of the Warzone mode.

鈥淭his is the job I always wanted,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 always wanted to be in the game industry, and I always wanted to be at the center of it all.鈥�

High Moon Studios wasn鈥檛 the first step in his career, though. Graduating from 麻豆传媒映画 at the height of the pandemic, he got together with two friends to work on games and build their r茅sum茅s. It paid off, helping him land a contract to work as a programmer and designer on Postal 4: No Regrets, the first-shooter game from Running With Scissors.

鈥淭hat was a fun time, because I鈥檓 very, very locked in and focused on the action of video games,” Hickey said. 鈥淎nything to do with player combat is where I want to be in the driver鈥檚 seat of design and programming-wise.鈥� Then he spent 10 months working for Mob Games on its Poppy Playtime game. All the indie work gave him a r茅sum茅 that helped him land the job at High Moon, he said.

That same energy and drive had pushed Hickey to transfer to 麻豆传媒映画 from the New York City College of Technology to take advantage of the University鈥檚 new minor in video game design. Hickey majored in information systems, and said the program was solid preparation for being a game developer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a blend of business operation and computer science,鈥� he said.

The skills he learned in the program have made him better able to work in the highly collaborative atmosphere of game development, where programmers, artists, sound designers and other teams work together to create the final product. 鈥淚 learned to communicate with everybody, which helps us work smoothly,鈥� he said.

Hickey said he was able to get the personal attention at 麻豆传媒映画 that he needed to succeed. 鈥淭he school let me get close to all of my professors,鈥� he said. 鈥淗onestly, I wasn鈥檛 the best student. I only saw school as a formality; I just wanted to make games.鈥� His professors helped him channel his desire for hands-on experience and encouraged his entrepreneurial streak by pointing him toward clubs and independent studies.

Taking his professor鈥檚 advice, he dove into extracurricular activities. He got an internship with the , which runs esports tournaments, and founded 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Esports club. He did so well in the internship that his boss recommended him for a position as a student ambassador for Unity Technologies, which connected him with game creators around the world. He became president of the campus chapter of the , turning the club into a group where students could work together on projects in the game development lab on campus. And he was a teaching assistant for Professor Lee Stemkoski, PhD鈥檚 video game course in 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Pre-College Program.

One of the most important lessons he learned at 麻豆传媒映画? 鈥淒r. Stemkoski encouraged me to be independent and teach myself,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a skill that keeps you learning for your entire life, even when you are out of school.鈥�

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