Two Middlesex College students have been named among just five students statewide to participate in the AI for Impact New Jersey Community College Fellowship. Simel Noori, an engineering major, and Nina Salamatova, a political science major, were recently honored for their selection into the semester-long program designed to pioneer the use of artificial intelligence in state government.
The fellowship, a partnership between the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) and the New Jersey State Office of Innovation, provides students with an intensive, hands-on environment to solve real-world public sector challenges using cutting-edge technology.
The selection of an engineering student alongside a political science student highlights the interdisciplinary nature of modern AI. During the program, Noori and Salamatova worked 20 hours per week with professional advisors to:
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Conduct Research: Perform qualitative and quantitative analysis to understand the needs of New Jersey residents.
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Develop Human-Centered Solutions: Design AI projects that prioritize ethics and accessibility.
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Utilize Advanced Tools: Gain proficiency in industry-leading platforms, including Large Language Models (LLMs), cloud-based AI services, and AI code assistants.
The fellowship was complemented by a four-month professional development series focused on data-driven project management. This “earn-while-you-learn” model allowed the students to receive stipends while maintaining their academic studies, ensuring that financial barriers didn’t hinder access to high-tech training.
“Simel and Nina are outstanding examples of the talent and commitment our students bring to emerging fields like artificial intelligence,” Mark McCormick, president of Middlesex College said. “Their selection speaks to the power of community colleges to prepare students to lead and innovate in the public sector.”
The program received significant backing from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), reflecting the state’s broader mission to establish New Jersey as a hub for AI talent and economic growth.
Aaron Fichtner, president of the NJCCC, emphasized that the fellowship is more than just a learning opportunity—it is a vital component of the state’s workforce strategy. “This fellowship model builds the students’ technical and professional skills… and reinforces the role our colleges play in preparing New Jersey’s AI talent pipeline,” Fichtner stated.
The success of the fellowship underscores a growing trend in New Jersey: leveraging the agility of community colleges to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
