Brookdale Leaders Help Shape the Future of AI in Higher Education

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes how people learn, teach, and work, higher education stands at pivotal crossroads. Colleges and universities across the nation are exploring how to integrate AI responsibly, leveraging its transformative potential to enhance teaching and research while confronting the ethical, practical, and cultural challenges it presents.

At this year’s Edge Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education, thought leaders from institutions across the region came together to examine that challenge. Among them were Brookdale Community College’s Michael Qaissaunee, Professor and Co-Chair of Engineering and Technology, and John Schiess, Technical Director in the Office of Information Technology. They joined Forough Ghahramani, Assistant Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Sponsored Programs at Edge, for a collaborative session titled “Moving Beyond AI Buzzwords: Turning Institutional Readiness into Real-World Impact.”

Their presentation examined AI adoption through three interconnected perspectives: national resources, institutional policy, and faculty preparedness, offering a framework for responsible and sustainable implementation.

Opening the session, Forough Ghahramani introduced participants to the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) Pilot, a groundbreaking federal initiative designed to democratize access to AI tools and data. The NAIRR Pilot provides educators, students, and researchers nationwide with computational resources and open datasets, helping institutions of all sizes participate meaningfully in AI research and application. The initiative represents a national step toward equity and access in AI education and innovation.

John Schiess explored the complex landscape of AI governance and policy development. Drawing on his experience at Brookdale and with Ellucian, Schiess discussed how institutions can balance opportunity with oversight, creating frameworks that encourage creativity and experimentation while protecting student privacy, data integrity, and institutional values. His presentation highlighted the need for collaboration among IT leaders, academic affairs, and faculty governance to shape policies that responsibly support innovation.

Professor Michael Qaissaunee shared Brookdale’s progress in piloting faculty training programs that aim to build AI literacy and confidence in using new tools. His presentation focused on empowering educators to integrate AI thoughtfully into their teaching practices, enhancing student engagement and assessment while preserving the human and ethical dimensions of learning.

Brookdale’s proactive approach underscores its broader mission to prepare students and faculty for a workforce increasingly influenced by automation, data science, and intelligent technologies.

Across higher education, AI is emerging as both a catalyst and a challenge. Institutions are experimenting with AI-driven tutoring systems, personalized learning platforms, predictive analytics for student success, and tools that improve accessibility for learners with disabilities. At the same time, colleges are addressing questions about authorship, originality, and the evolving role of faculty in classrooms transformed by generative technology.

A recent report from the American Council on Education notes that while most colleges are exploring AI’s applications, only a fraction have developed comprehensive governance or training structures. This gap highlights the importance of collaboration among institutions, an approach championed by Edge through its annual conferences, shared research, and professional networks.

Brookdale’s involvement in the Edge Conference reflects its continued commitment to innovation, collaboration, and student success. As a community college deeply rooted in access and equity, Brookdale recognizes that preparing learners for the future means engaging with emerging technologies thoughtfully and responsibly.

By participating in regional and national conversations on AI, Brookdale reinforces its role as both an innovator and an advocate for ethical integration of technology. Faculty and staff are helping to ensure that AI serves as a tool for expanding opportunity, not replacing the essential human connection at the heart of education.

Through initiatives such as faculty development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and partnerships with organizations like Edge, Brookdale is helping shape an educational landscape where AI enhances, not defines, the learning experience.