The N.J. AI Hub, which includes Princeton among its original founders, certainly showed how much interest higher education is taking in the study of artificial intelligence.
It didn’t show the depth.
New courses, degrees and scholarship opportunities sprung up everywhere in the state. Consider:
Kean University has created what may be the first Bachelor’s in artificial intelligence;
Rowan has an AI powered engineering hub;
NJIT has launched a business degree built around AI use in the workplace;
Stevens announced plans to admit Hudson CC graduates — and offer scholarships to high school students;
Seton Hall received a $10 million gift for STEM scholarships.
Here’s a more detailed look:
Kean: Bachelor’s in AI
Kean University launched New Jersey’s first Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence last fall, one of only a few programs of its kind nationwide.
The program equips students with core principles of AI and machine learning, from building large language models (LLMs) to understanding ethical applications. Through hands-on learning and real-world research, students develop innovative, responsible solutions and are prepared for careers in computer science, data science and AI development.
Kean President Lamont Repollet said faculty are already integrating AI tutors, mentors and research tools into learning, while the university develops its own custom platform, Keanu AI, named for its cougar mascot.
“We are evolving both what we teach and how we teach it to prepare our students for a world where technology, creativity and human ingenuity work hand in hand,” Repollet said.
Rowan: AI in engineering
Rowan University has launched a cutting-edge new laboratory aimed at bridging the gap between rapidly developing Artificial Intelligence and real-world industrial practices.
Rowan officials say the Digital Engineering Hub (DEHub) is designed to merge smart technology with advanced manufacturing, focusing on integrating intelligent systems into production methods.
Housed in the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering’s Rowan Hall, the facility is equipped to both digitize existing objects using advanced 3D scanners and create new components through both human- and machine-engineered designs.
NJIT: AI in business
NJIT has launched a pioneering academic program: the Bachelor of Science in Business with Artificial Intelligence (B.S. in Business with AI).
This new degree is the first undergraduate program in New Jersey to comprehensively blend a business curriculum with specialized AI training.
The program aims to prepare the next generation of business leaders who are skilled at leveraging AI for strategic decision-making across all industries. The launch was a direct response to the surge in demand for professionals who can navigate both the technical and strategic facets of AI in the corporate world.
Stevens: Scholarship support
Stevens and Hudson County Community College have created a partnership that aims to dismantle the barriers often faced by community college students seeking to transition into elite four-year STEM programs.
This collaboration marks a pivotal expansion of the Stevens Transfer Student Success Initiative. The initiative is fueled by a prestigious grant from the American Talent Initiative, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
For many students at HCCC — a hub for first-generation college seekers in Jersey City — the path to a nationally ranked research university can feel daunting. This agreement seeks to change that narrative.
Stevens also received a $100,000 charitable donation from Johnson & Johnson to further expand its Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) program and prepare more talented high school students with an aptitude in science, technology, engineering and math fields to succeed in college.
Seton Hall: $10 million gift
Seton Hall received a transformative $10 million estate gift from late alumnus Frank Rubino ’64 to establish the Frank Rubino Endowed Scholarship.
The scholarship will provide crucial financial assistance to students pursuing degrees in traditional STEM disciplines, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, computer science and engineering.
