Thomas Edison State University (TESU) announced ambitious plans to create a Center of Excellence for AI Innovation. This transformative initiative is designed to guarantee that every TESU student graduates with meaningful Artificial Intelligence (AI) competency, positioning them to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving, technology-driven workforce.
The new center marks a major milestone in the University’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan and is backed by an initial $450,000 in seed funding from the TESU Foundation. This investment is set to place TESU at the forefront of integrating AI across all aspects of higher education.
TESU President Merodie Hancock emphasized the necessity of this universal approach, which will impact graduates across all fields, including nursing, business, technology, and the liberal arts.
“TESU has always been in front of the pack with our living curriculum that builds on our decades of innovation and outcomes,” Hancock said. “By embedding AI into every aspect of learning and student support, we will empower graduates… with leading-edge AI skills and confidence.”
The center will focus its efforts across three strategic areas to maximize impact for both students and the institution:
AI-Infused Learning and Credentials: This involves embedding AI expertise directly into coursework across all disciplines, developing new applied AI microcredentials and certificates, and utilizing AI to make learning more interactive and personalized.
Enhanced Student Experience: TESU plans to deploy AI-powered tools for essential support functions, including recruitment, academic advising, real-time on-the-job learning assistance, and transfer credit mapping. It will also provide 24/7 virtual assistance tailored specifically to the needs of working adults.
Institutional Agility: AI will be used internally to enhance TESU’s operational efficiency through environmental scanning, collaboration, and workflow optimization, improving the University’s responsiveness.
Steven R. King ’93, ’15, chair of the TESU Foundation Board and an expert in early-stage technology companies, highlighted the forward-thinking nature of the project.
“This center positions TESU for the future and leverages the University’s unique ability to be both nimble and bold,” King said. He added that the initiative creates an exciting opportunity for pioneering technology companies and philanthropic partners to collaborate with an institution actively invested in shaping the future workforce.
The Center is slated to launch later in 2025 with the appointment of AI Scholars-in-Residence and initial pilot programs. These initiatives will be scaled up to ensure AI competency becomes an integrated part of every student’s degree plan, fulfilling TESU’s vision of “Building Careers, Advancing Professions, and Empowering Lives.”
